Cavalier Corner

October 2013

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ity talent — they also set themselves up nicely for 2014. Already, UVa has landed verbal commitments from nine seniors, most of whom are actually from outside the borders of the Commonwealth. But the big names are from here at home, giving head coach Mike London a significant feather in his cap and a reason for fans (and the athletic department) to be patient with his team facing the toughest schedule of his tenure. According to Rivals.com, UVa boasts the only recruiting class that features multiple five-star prospects (as of Sept. 16). The Wahoos have garnered commitments from Quin Blanding, the nation's top safety and No. 4 overall player, and Andrew Brown, the country's best defensive tackle and No. 12 player overall. Blanding, a 6-2, 206-pound Virginia Beach native, is the highest-ranked player to commit to Virginia in the modern era. Former Cavalier great offensive lineman Eugene Monroe ended up being No. 3 overall, but was ranked No. 11 nationally when he committed in June 2004. Blanding picked the Wahoos way back in February and has become the leader of the class. When the Bayside High standout chose UVa, he did so over offers from some of the best programs in football, including Alabama, Clemson, Florida, Florida State, Michigan, Notre Dame and Virginia Tech, among others. But it really came down to Ohio State and UVa. Given the connections to London's program, Blanding opted to not only pick the Hoos but also to do so when most of the recruiting world was still focused on the 2013 class. He's thought by most talent evaluators to be one of the best safety prospects to come out of the high school ranks since the late Sean Taylor. A versatile, rangy athlete who could play either safety position, he'll fit nicely in UVa's defense as a free safety that acts as the quarterback of the defense. Blanding can come up in run support, but he also has the speed and hips to cover receivers downfield. He'll be the program's fifth player from Bayside High, following a line of succession that has been kind to the Cavs with linebacker Henry Coley in 2010, cornerback Demetrious Nicholson in 2011, athlete Anthony Cooper in 2012 and Mizzell in 2013. Brown, a 6-3, 298-pound Chesapeake native, chose UVa in late June after weeks of speculation and intense chatter. The Oscar Smith High star picked the Wahoos over teams like Alabama, Clemson, Florida, Florida State, Georgia, Michigan, Ohio State, South Carolina, Stanford and Virginia Tech, among others. Brown has the size to play defensive tackle, and the speed and hands of a defensive end. Many liken him to a Reggie White/Warren Sapp hybrid. The Cavaliers are expected to use Brown at both positions. Brown separated himself from the competition through the spring and summer with his hands, which are quick and violent, and just what a former defensive line coach like London wants to see. Brown is planning to enroll at UVa in January, meaning he'll be able to take part in spring practice and get a jump on his classmates when it comes to strength and conditioning. Combined, the two five-star commits give Virginia plenty of mojo on the recruiting trail. In fact, their presence in the fold is part of why UVa's most recent verbal pledge — Upland, Calif., athlete Jeffery Farrar —picked Virginia over Cal and Arizona State in August. He also had offers from Arizona, Fresno State, Miami, Michigan State and UCLA, among others. The Rivals.com three-star talent is rated as the No. 31 athlete nationally and the No. 41 player in California. Farrar, who could be slotted at either receiver or cornerback when he arrives in Charlottesville, was very clear that having Blanding and Brown on the team mattered to him. With great speed, good instincts and solid ball skills, Farrar is the rare athlete who could legitimately play on either

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