Of all of the University of Virginia football program’s guiding principles, one particularly resonated with Josh Rawlings when was on his official visit in Charlottesville earlier this month.

“A big thing [Virginia head coach Bronco Mendenhall] pushed was being able to have football and education,” Rawlings said. “There was a sign that read, ‘And ...,’ and that spoke to me because some people want to limit athletes. There, you’re not just an athlete. You’re an athlete and a student. I loved that saying. Football is not going to be who I am.”

Rawlings’ player host, Terrell Jana, reiterated Virginia’s commitment to excellence on and off the field.

“He said it’s not always about football at Virginia,” Rawlings recalled. “The coaches are pushing the players to get out in the community and contribute, to support the community. He played the piano as well. I play a few instruments myself.”

“I felt like the players were just like me,” Rawlings added.

Of the coaching staff, Rawlings noted: “I had met a few of the coaches before the visit, and then met the rest on the visit. I swear it felt so natural. I cannot stress this enough ... I love the coaches. They are so genuine.”

The official visit sold the Woodland Hills (Pittsburgh, PA) rising senior tight end prospect, who announced his verbal commitment to UVA on June 23.

“The education and the opportunity to be able to play a high level of football, the things they do outside of the football community as well, made me think, ‘Oh, wow. This is like home,’” said Rawlings, who chose Virginia over scholarship offers from Pittsburgh, Vanderbilt, Iowa State and Minnesota, among others.

From 2-10 in 2016 to 8-5 and Belk Bowl Champions in 2018, Virginia’s progress on the football field in three years under Mendenhall also drew the Pittsburgh native’s attention.

“I love it,” Rawlings said. “They are on the rise right now. Coach Mendenhall has shown he can turn a program around. I can’t wait for him to be my head coach.”

While there are a few promising walk-ons on the roster, Virginia projects to have only two returning scholarship tight ends – Christian Baumgardner, who will be a senior, and Grant Misch, who would be a redshirt sophomore - in the 2020 season. Rawlings, who boasts college-ready size right now at 6’6”, 240 pounds, would be the third scholarship tight end. Going by the numbers alone, there seems to be a great opportunity for the Rivals and 247Sports 3-star standout to earn significant playing time as a true freshman.

Virginia’s coaches have let it be known that they want Rawlings only as a tight end. That was important for the Wolverines star, who very much wants to play tight end in college.

“I’m definitely a tight end,” said Rawlings, who plays tight end and defensive end in high school. “Coach Anae sat me down and we had a brief talk. He showed me cut-ups and said I fit very well because of my size and the fact that I can put my hand on the ground, be detached in the backfield as an H-back, or split out wide.”

“Virginia has pretty much guaranteed him that he’ll be an H-back/tight end for them,” Woodland Hills varsity football coach Tim Bostard said. “I told him to make sure he asked all of the coaches recruiting him if he would stay at tight end or if they would try and put weight on him and move to the offensive line.”

Rawlings displays the ability to be a receiving threat from the tight end position. He’s also an excellent and willing blocker, something he takes pride in.

“I love it,” Rawlings said of playing tight end. “I love the blocking aspect of tight end. There is something about competing head-to-head against someone and winning ... I don’t know, I just love it.”

Rawlings captured the attention of the Woodland Hills varsity coaches before he entered high school.

“We noticed Josh in the 8th grade, 9th grade,” recalled Wolverines head varsity football coach Tim Bostard, who was a longtime assistant under former WHHS coach George Novak before becoming head coach in 2017. “He just got it right away. He was slender, but you don’t have to tell him how to do things too many times. He likes the weight room. He’s very competitive.”

Over the years, Bostard has been impressed with Rawlings both on and off the field. "And," once again, being the key word with this promising student athlete.