Central Virginia Times

These are strange times for the University of Virginia football team as the management team juggles its recruiting drive to overcome the hurdles, curves and corners created by the continuing COVID-19 crisis.

Early recruiting, which led to 24 student-athletes pledging themselves to the Cavaliers, was something akin to virtual Internet dating, said head coach Bronco Mendenhall. 

Ten of those signing a national letter of intent played no football this fall, and five never even visited the campus.

“Not having grown up in the virtual dating world, this is probably the closest we had to that,” joked Mendenhall at a recent news conference. “It’s not in-person, but after multiple, multiple, multiple times, you put it together. You get a glimpse of them in whatever setting they’re in. I think we know our players better than we did before. There’s pluses to this [virtual recruiting]."

Virginia was 5-5 over the fall season, including losing its last game 33-15 to Virginia Tech. While it was a somewhat disappointing season, the coaches praised the players for how they dealt with the loss of key teammates, injuries and battling through a full schedule in the face of the pandemic.

Of the 24 recruits, nine are in-state, the largest number during Mendenhall's reign.

"It’s been a point of emphasis since I arrived, even though the numbers haven’t always reflected it,” he said at the conference. “We start every single year, and have since I’ve been the coach, in-state. It takes time. The needle is moving, the tipping point is arriving and the swing is starting. This class is a reflection of that.”

The coach singled out two local recruits, Monticello wide receiver Malachi Fields and The Covenant School cornerback Jonas Sanker.

“Malachi is, like if I’m choosing a sleeper pick, from maybe the outside world’s evaluation, to my evaluation, this is the one," Mendenhall said at the conference. "He’s an amazing young person but the size and speed and potential, I’m really excited about him.”

The Cavaliers have Fields listed as a wide receiver and Sanker as a defensive back, although both have shown outstanding versality in their high school careers.

Undefeated over two years, Covenant won back-to-back state championships while playing eight-man football.

Mendenhall said of Sanker at the conference, “An eight-man football player. That’s kind of unprecedented to think of eight man, to then the Power Five. He just happened to be training with some of our players during the offseason. When your players that are in your own program start saying, ‘You might want to take a look.' Man, I really, really like the potential, and the possibilities, of both our Charlottesville players.”

Virginia's recruiting is ranked 29th by 247/Sports, the highest achieved under Mendenhall. The site listed Bryce Carter as the top-rated signee. Carter, a 6-foot-3-inch 250-pound defensive tackle out of Chester, is rated 117th overall in the nation, ninth in his position and fourth best in Virginia.

Due to the coronavirus, players were given the choice of using an extra year of eligibility, and nine fourth- and fifth-year players have chosen to do so.

The group includes: defensive ends Mandy Alonso and Adeeb Atariwa, free safety Joey Blount, outside linebacker Elliott Brown, cornerback De’Vante Cross, guard Chris Glaser, cornerback Nick Grant, wide receiver Ra’Shaun Henry and offensive tackle Ryan Nelson.

According to the news release, all nine players have completed their undergraduate degrees.

"Due to my injury, I felt like I had more to give to this team and my brothers," Blount told Virginia Sports. "Also I think that we have an opportunity to be one of the best teams in ACC if we stay consistent and healthy.” 

Virginia is the latest school to extend an offer to Winter Garden (Florida) West Orange wide receiver Jayden Gibson, a 6-foot-6-inch, 185-pound wide receiver.

According to the Tulsa World, Oklahoma State University's Jelina Woods is transferring to Virginia.

Virginia Director of Athletics Carla Williams, when announcing the football team would not play in a bowl, discussed how tough the season has been for the players.

“Unless you live it each and every day, it is impossible to understand the mental, emotional and physical sacrifice these young men have made since their return in July,” Williams told the Associated Press. “I am proud of their commitment and their incredible maturity. Our students did everything we asked them to do and they were rewarded with the opportunity to compete in the sport they love when many doubted it could be done.”

University of Virginia senior scout for the football program, Jordan Arcement, has announced he is leaving. 

“Thank you, UVA,” Arcement wrote on Twitter. "In my three seasons with coach Mendenhall and staff, I have grown so much. I’ve built relationships that will last a lifetime. Something I asked God for was a platform to help affect the lives of young men in a positive fashion and I feel like I was given that."

Five players were named to all ACC teams, according to a report by Cavalier Daily.

Senior linebacker Charles Snowden was named a second-team all-defense selection. Linebacker Nick Jackson, a sophomore, was named third team, marking his first All-ACC selection.

Junior wide receiver Billy Kemp IV, senior offensive guard Chris Glaser and senior linebacker Zane Zandier all received honorable mention.