The fruits of the University of Virginia football program’s on-field growth under the guidance of head coach Bronco Mendenhall are being realized on the recruiting trail, as the Hoos reeled in their first national Top 30 haul since 2013.
From a ranking perspective, consensus 4-star defensive lineman Bryce Carter is the headliner of UVA’s 24-man class. 247Sports.com ranks the Richmond (VA) area defensive end as the No. 117 overall prospect in the class of 2021, which makes him the third most highly rated UVA recruit in the Mendenhall era behind defensive lineman Jowon Briggs (#75 in the class of 2019 per 247Sports) and offensive lineman Andrew Gentry (#88 in the class of 2020 per 247Sports).
Per 247Sports, Virginia’s class is rated No. 27 overall in the nation and No. 5 in the Atlantic Coast Conference behind Clemson, Miami, North Carolina and NC State. Virginia’s previous best class under Mendenhall in the 247Sports rankings was the 2019 group, which was rated No. 44 overall and No. 7 in the ACC.
The Hoos landed five national Top 500 recruits according to 247, including Carter, offensive tackle Logan Taylor (No. 336), outside linebacker Josh McCarron (No. 368), dual-threat quarterback Jacob Rodriguez (No. 375) and offensive lineman Noah Josey (No. 423). UVA signed four 247Sports national Top 500 prospects in total in its previous four classes – Briggs, Gentry, outside linebacker Jonathan Horton (2019 Class, No. 307) and outside linebacker Brandon Williams (2019 Class, No. 414).
Rivals.com ranks UVA’s 2021 Class at No. 25 in the nation and No. 6 in the ACC behind Clemson, Miami, North Carolina, Pittsburgh and Louisville. The 2019 Class was the previous best under Mendenhall, coming in at No. 39 overall according to Rivals.
McCarron, Josey and Carter are 4-star prospects according to Rivals, which assigned 19 future Cavaliers a 3-star rating and two UVA signees a 2-star designation.
In-State Strides
Virginia football has been effective in recruiting outside of the Commonwealth during the Mendenhall era, but the 2021 Class may be a breakthrough in terms of keeping top talents home. Nine recruits from schools in the Commonwealth signed with UVA in 2021. This the most in the Mendenhall era and is coming off a 2020 Class that included only one signee from an in-state school.
According to the rankings, UVA assembled quality as well as quantity in the Commonwealth.
Five in-state recruits landed in 247Sports' Virginia Top 25 for the class of 2021. arter leads the way at No. 3 and is followed by Taylor (No. 8), dual-threat quarterback Jay Woolfolk (No. 13), outside linebacker Michael Green (No. 17) and safety Aidan Ryan (No. 18).
The Cavaliers landed four 247Sports Top 25 in-state recruits combined in the previous four classes under Mendenhall - Elijah Gaines (2020 Class, No. 15), Ben Smiley III (2019 Class, No. 16), Lindell Stone (2017 Class, No. 19) and Lamont Atkins (2017 Class, No. 24).
Rivals.com also ranked five Virginia signees in its Virginia Top 25 rankings for the class of 2021. Carter once again led the way, coming in as the No. 7 senior in the Commonwealth. He is followed by Taylor (No. 10), Woolfolk (No. 16), Green (No. 24) and outside linebacker James Jackson (No. 25).
Gaines (No. 13), Smiley III (No. 14), Grant Misch (2018 Class, No. 23) and Stone (No. 23) were UVA’s previous Rivals.com Top 25 in-state recruits in the Mendenhall era.
Diamonds In The Rough
According to Rivals.com rankings, Virginia has signed twenty-two 2-star recruits in the Mendenhall era. Mendenhall and company have found some gems, including Charles Snowden, Joey Blount, Mandy Alonso, Brian Delaney, Aaron Faumui, Billy Kemp IV and Joe Bissinger, who have all become major factors in the program’s rise the past five seasons. That is a testament to the ability of Mendenhall and his staff to identify “under-the-radar players” and players who fit their systems, which is an important part of recruiting.
Rivals ranks cornerback William Simpkins III and wide receiver Malachi Fields as 2-star prospects. If you are looking for UVA’s latest 2-star find, the 6’4”, 200-pound Fields gets Mendenhall’s vote.
Of the Monticello (Charlottesville, VA) product, Mendenhall said: “I had a son that played at Western Albemarle, and so I was going to watch him play, and then I saw this other guy and I was like, ‘Whoa! Who is that?’ And then I get a video of him doing like a half-gainer, just standing still and out of nowhere. And so I became intrigued with not only how he played and the number of positions he could play with his sheer athleticism and size. If I’m choosing a sleeper pick from maybe the outside world’s evaluation to my evaluation, this is the one. He is an amazing young person, but the size and speed and potential, I’m really excited about him.”
Simpkins III would be a good pick as well. I like his size (6’1”, 170) and athleticism at the cornerback position. Plus, he comes from a highly successful high school football program in Quince Orchard (Gaithersburg, MD). The Cougars did not have a fall season this year but lost only four games the previous three campaigns. Simpkins III could have an opportunity to contribute early at a position that needs consistent playmakers.
UVA Takes Another Step Towards Re-Shaped Defensive Line
During the 2020 season, Mendenhall indicated the program is headed in a new direction in terms of defensive line recruiting.
“We are looking to increase our length, both at the nose tackle and the defensive end spot, similar to…We got faster success in recruiting outside linebackers with length. So, yes, we would like longer defensive linemen with more height, with more range and more developmental capabilities, meaning we can add not only athleticism and span, but we can add basically size to that over time,” Mendenhall said in reference to a question about first-year defensive end Nusi Malani. “We really like Nusi, as he’s playing as a true first year. We are thin at the defensive line, but that doesn’t mean that he’s not contributing at a level that has earned him a chance to play, because he has. Su [Olasunkonmi Agunloye] is another player that we’re really excited about and encouraged by and already in our program, with Ben Smiley, with existing length, even though he’s been out with an injury. Those three players in terms of length, reflect more of the direction we’ll be going over time. I believe there is more upside in potential in terms of growing within our program and developing those type of players.”
Bryce Carter (6’3”, 250 pounds), Michael Diatta (6’5”, 265 pounds), Hugh Laughlin (6’5”, 280 pounds) and Lorenz Terry (6’5”, 260 pounds) make up UVA’s class of 2021 defensive line haul. Carter may not have the height as the other players, but he plays with great leverage and pop off the line. He checks off the athleticism box. Terry, Diatta and Laughlin are impressive from a size and athletic standpoint as well.
This class, along with the 2020 haul of the 6’6”, 250-pound Malani, 6’3”, 310-pound nose tackle Jahmeer Carter, and 6’6”, 270-pound Su Agunloye, have the D-line headed in the direction Mendenhall wants. Highly regarded class of 2019 recruit Ben Smiley III, who measures in at 6’4”, 260 pounds and who Mendenhall mentioned above, should be included in this group as well.
With seniors Mandy Alonso and Adeeb Atariwa returning for another year, the young defensive linemen have more time to develop and UVA will be able to have the succession line Mendenhall covets. That is, each position reloading from year to year rather than rebuilding.
More Notes/Thoughts on UVA’s 2021 Class
Virtual Recruiting
Kudos to the staff for immediately recognizing the importance of virtual recruiting in this cycle. A recruiting Dead Period has been in place since the spring, preventing prospective student athletes from making official visits or unofficial visits where they could meet in-person with coaches.
One big-time player the coaches were able to sway as a result of a stellar virtual presentation was 4-star outside linebacker Josh McCarron from Washington state. McCarron committed to UVA without having seen Charlottesville in person, though he would ultimately visit on his own along with a group of other commitments. Five student athletes had not made official or unofficial visits on Grounds before signing with the Cavaliers.
“I had done a couple of them,” McCarron said of virtual visits. “They all take about an hour. I give UVA a lot of credit. I’d say they did the best job of bringing UVA to a recruit. I was online with an academic advisor, then [Deputy Athletics Director] Ted White, all while K-Popp was on the phone. I told someone from Scorebook Live in an interview earlier that I was 100% ready to commit to Cal last week, but UVA brought the heat. When I got off the phone, my mom was there. She cried and hugged me because she knew.”
Peach State Products
Georgia has been good to Bronco Mendenhall during his tenure in Charlottesville. Jordan Mack, Nick Jackson, Joey Blount and Jordan Ellis are among the Peach State products to come through the program the past five years. In 2021, running back Amaad Foston, offensive line prospects Ty Furnish and Charlie Patterson, defensive lineman Hugh Laughlin and inside linebacker West Weeks inked with the Cavalier football program.
I like all five Georgia natives in this class. Weeks, whose father, David, played offensive line for the University of Georgia when the Bulldogs faced UVA in the 1995 Peach Bowl, has the makings of the next standout Georgia inside linebacker in the Cavalier program. Mack and now Jackson distinguished themselves, and Weeks has talent and savvy to follow in their footsteps.
Foston, who missed his senior season with a leg injury, has the work ethic of Jordan Ellis but is a more explosive player. He’ll be a nice addition to the running back corps and could push for early playing time at a position that needs more dynamic talent.
Early Enrollment
Six prospects, including quarterback Jacob Rodriguez, Foston, Taylor, inside linebacker Langston Long, outside linebacker James Jackson, and defensive back Javin Burke plan to enroll at UVA in the 2021 Spring Semester, which begins February 1.
Rodriguez has able to play a senior season and, in fact, is still playing. Long and Jackson had limited senior seasons due to the coronavirus. Taylor did not play a senior season at all because of the coronavirus, while Burke and Foston missed their senior seasons because of injury.
Rodriguez’ early enrollment gives UVA some nice spacing in terms of quarterback succession. Starter Brennan Armstrong will be a redshirt junior in 2021. Senior Keytaon Thompson could provide support as a backup if healthy (otherwise he will play a “slash” role on offense). Second-year signal caller Ira Armstead has four years of eligibility remaining, and Rodriguez will hopefully have a spring of experience under his belt heading into 2021. The Hoos also add Jay Woolfolk to the mix next summer.
Cavs Ink Five Defensive Backs
UVA’s 2021 defensive back class is made up of five prospects with good all-around athleticism and versatility. Javin Burke, a 6’0”, 200-pound standout out of Tennessee, plans to enroll during UVA’s Spring Semester 2021. Micah Gaffney, Aidan Ryan, Jonas Sanker and Simpkins III will join him on Grounds next summer.
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— Micah Gaffney (@gaffney_micah) December 17, 2020
Burke, Gaffney and Simpkins III will begin their careers at cornerback. Gaffney, Virginia’s first Alabama native recruit in the Mendenhall era, was able to play a senior season, helping a tough Spanish Fort High School defense reach the 6A state championship. Meanwhile, Aidan Ryan has said Virginia wants him as a safety and Jonas Sanker has indicated the staff sees him as either a safety or a cornerback.
The five defensive backs in this class have promise. The question is, how quickly will they be able to contribute? Time will tell, but I think this year’s haul falls into the category of players who will need a year or so to develop before they are ready to make a significant contribution, especially if only one (Gaffney) played a senior season.
Injuries have been a factor, but the Virginia pass defense has struggled the past season-and-a-half. UVA yielded 319.8 yards passing per game and 14 touchdowns over the course of the final six games of 2019. (UVA allowed 169 yards per game and nine touchdowns the previous eight games.) Those struggles continued in 2020 as the Cavaliers surrendered an average of 304 passing yards per game and 19 touchdowns. UVA recorded six interceptions in the six-game span in 2019 and had 11 picks this season.
Experienced returning players such as Joey Blount, De’Vante Cross, Nick Grant and Darrius Bratton, as well as grad-transfer corner Anthony Johnson, will help the 2021 defense. But the secondary needs more playmakers. There is talent on the roster, young players who could emerge as impact performers in 2021, but whether it is a young player already on the roster or a recruit, the Hoos need more impact players in the defensive backfield. I’m not sure if this incoming true freshman class features that instant impact capability.
Canadian Lineman Taylor Headlines Strong OL Class
UVA has had success with linemen out of Canada such as defensive lineman Brent Urban and offensive lineman Austin Pasztor. Both went on to professional careers. 6’7”, 290-pound Logan Taylor, a prospect pursued by top programs throughout the country, could be the next in line.
Coach Mendenhall provided some great comments on Taylor on National Signing Day.
“Logan Taylor, he works basically throwing lobster pots and crab pots, and then when he’s not doing that, he’s throwing tires at a repair shop. All he does is just throw stuff,” Mendenhall said. “Anything that’s big, heavy and kind of outdoors and rugged, that’s where he is. And then he goes to Episcopal High School, and he’s a scholar. So he’s a heavy-throwing guy that is a scholar who is blue-collar and white-collar at the same, which is UVA. We really like what we see in him as well.”
Virginia, which had its best offensive line of the Mendenhall era this past season, landed a top 100 prospect in Andrew Gentry in 2020, as well as interior lineman Jestus Johnson III, who earned some playing time in his first year. The Hoos followed up with a good 4-man class that features Taylor and fellow 4-star Noah Josey, interior lineman Ty Furnish and 6'7", 260-pound Charlie Patterson.
“So there's a pretty simple metric for any program; that you're always looking to bring greater than not equal to,” Mendenhall said. “And that's not an insult or disrespect to our current team. You're always looking to become better and start at a level beyond what the previous class did. And then our current team, they have to be better than the class in front of them. And that's the way you have growth and maturity and accelerate your program. I didn't talk about two of our other players in terms of Charlie [Patterson] and Ty [Furnish]. Charlie is more of the same build as the first two I talked about. Ty is more center-guard-ish, which is a little bit different build. But both are capable of playing offense or defense by athleticism, which is a compliment, and aggression. You’re now talking about four additions that we believe are starting beyond where most of our existing offensive linemen were when they came into our program. And the now the offensive line is just becoming more like we want it to become. So now there's a chance of perpetuating and improving on what we already have. Now there's consistency, excuse me, there's the chance for consistency over the long term which is what the greatest programs have, especially in the front. It's just the next group up, rather than having to rebuild. You're just more reloading.”
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