The UVA football program signed 21 student-athletes to a National Letter of Intent (NLI) for the 2015-16 academic school year head coach Mike London announced.
Two additional recruits enrolled at UVA in January, topping the class off at 23. Highlighting the Class of 2015, which was ranked #44 by Rivals.com and #48 by 247Sports, are nine signees from the Commonwealth of Virginia, while student-athletes from six other states also signed with the Cavaliers. UVA also welcomes recruits from Florida, Georgia, Maryland, New Jersey, Ohio and Pennsylvania.
The following is a list of individuals who have signed National Letters-of-Intent to attend the University of Virginia on football grant-in-aid.
Naji Abdullah
6-5 • 230 • DE
Jacksonville, Fla.
Sandalwood HS
Played defensive end and outside linebacker at Sandalwood High School for head coach Adam Geis … rated a three-star recruit according to ESPN.com and 247sports.com … a two-star recruit according to Rivals.com and Scout.com … tallied 40 tackles, eight sacks and made five pass deflections … recovered two fumbles … son of Faheemah Abdullah … stepfather is Gary Mccool … has two brothers, Giovann Riddle and Adain Mccool … has three sisters, Nyja Abudllah, Doris Mccool and Caitlyn Mccool … name is pronounced Nah-Gee Ab-Duel-Ah.
Ryan Bischoff
6-6 • 300 • OL
Plymouth, Pa.
Plymouth-Whitemarsh HS
Played offensive guard and defensive tackle at Plymouth-Whitemarsh High School for head coach Dan Chang … rated a three-star recruit according to ESPN.com, Scout.com and 247sports.com … a two-star recruit according to Rivals.com … Class AAAA first-team all-state performer … two-time first-team All-Suburban One American Conference at offensive tackle … three-year starter on the offensive line … also started at defensive tackle as a junior and senior … first-team All-Eastern Pennsylvania … helped the Colonials to back-to-back Suburban One American Conference championships in 2012 and 2013 … is a pitcher on the baseball team … son of Eric and Tabitha Bischoff … has one brother, Evan … on the honor roll at Plymouth-Whitemarsh … is a certified life guard … enjoys hunting, fishing and paintball … volunteer work includes the Jingle Bell Jog, Alzheimers Walk, Greater Plymouth Community Center cleanup and working the Plymouth-Whitemarsh Diamond Baseball camps … name is pronounced Bish-Off.
Richard Burney
6-4 • 230 • TE
Chesapeake, Va.
Hickory HS
Played tight end and defensive end at Hickory High School for head coach Jupiter Wilson … rated a three-star recruit according to ESPN.com, Rivals.com and 247Sports.com … a two-star recruit by Scout.com … All-Conference 10 first-team honoree at tight end in 2013 and 2014 … played in the 757 All-Star football game on the East team … also can long snap … all-region honoree … named team MVP … also was a thrower in track and a forward on the basketball team … son of Richard and Laureen Burney … has two older sisters, Shauntee Parker and Richelle Dandridge … father Richard was a tight end and linebacker at Wisconsin from 1977-80 … played AAU basketball from 2011-14 … volunteer at the Jim O’Sullivan Football Camp.
Tanner Cowley
6-4 • 210 • TE
Manasquan, N.J.
Manasquan HS
Played outside linebacker and tight end at Manasquan High School for head coach Jay Price … rated a three-star recruit according to ESPN.com, Scout.com and 247Sports … a two-star recruit by Rivals.com … All-Class A Central first-team … Coast Star Defensive Player of the Year … second-team All-Shore … first-team All-Zone … accumulated 82 tackles and 10 tackles for a loss in 2013 … broke up six passes and grabbed one interception … made 20 catches and six touchdowns while playing tight end … also plays baseball … son of Drew and Sandy Cowley … has two sisters, Shae and Jane … father, Drew, played football at Southern Connecticut from 1982-83 and at Rowan in 1985 … sister, Shae, currently plays women’s lacrosse at Duquesne … grandfather, Bill Cowley, Sr., played basketball and baseball at Georgetown in 1952 and at St. Johns from 1953-55 … uncle, Bill Cowley, Jr., played football at William Patterson in 1983 and baseball at Saint Leo from 1984-86 and with the Pittsburgh Pirates minor league organization from 1987-88 … on honor roll in 2012, 2013 and 2014 … volunteered with Restore the Shore to help cleanup after Hurricane Sandy … volunteered at the Manasquan Recreation Football Camp.
Warren Craft
6-2 • 185 • WR
Roanoke, Va.
William Fleming HS
Played wide receiver and free safety at William Fleming High School for head coach Bobby Martin … rated a four-star recruit according to ESPN.com … a three-star recruit by 247Sports.com … a two-star recruit by Rivals.com and Scout.com … played football for the first time in 2013 and caught eight passes for 240 yards and three touchdowns in Fleming’s season opener at Fluvanna County … missed three games with injury in 2013 and still finished his first football season with 30 receptions for 617 yards and seven touchdowns on his way to making second-team All-Group 4A and second-team All-Timesland … caught 42 passes for 833 yards and eight touchdowns in 2014 … also rushed eight times for 118 yards and one touchdown … accumulated 23 tackles and one interception at the free safety position … also plays basketball.
David Eldridge
6-1 • 175 • WR
Bealeton, Va.
Kettle Run HS
Played wide receiver, defensive back and was a kickoff and punt returner at Kettle Run High School for head coach Jeff Lloyd … rated a three-star recruit according to ESPN.com, Rivals.com, Scout.com and 247Sports … graduated from Kettle Run with 16 school records, including career receptions (91), receiving yards (1,655) and receiving touchdowns (15) … during his three-year career at Kettle Run he scored 29 total touchdowns receiving, rushing, on punt returns, on kick returns and via interceptions … collected 45 receptions for 708 yards and three touchdowns in 2014 on his way to first-team All-Region 3A West at wide receiver … also a first-team honoree as a kick and punt returner … first-team All-State 3A East kick returner and punt returner … second-team All-State 3A East wide receiver … returned 11 punts for 297 yards and three touchdowns in 2014 … returned 14 kickoffs for 368 yards in 2014 … four career punt returns for a touchdown are also a school record … tied a school record with three kickoffs returned for a touchdown in 2013 … finished career with 28 kick returns for 793 yards for a 28.3 yards per return average … a two-time first-team All-Conference 27 wide receiver, kick returner and punt returner … second-team All-Region 3A defensive back in 2013 … finished career with 10 interceptions that he returned for 215 yards and four touchdowns … rushed 33 times in his career for 150 yards and three touchdowns … all-state performer in 2013 as a return specialist … second-team All-Region 3A East wide receiver and punt returner … spent freshman season at Liberty High School … son of David and Tina Eldridge … born in Sacramento, Calif. … has an older sister, Qiana Williams, who is a nurse in Las Vegas … cousin Mike Watts played college football at Tuskegee from 2011-13 … uncle, Ruben Jackson, played in the Detroit Tigers minor league system from 1985-89 … part of an organization called College Prep World that helps prepare high school student-athletes make the transition from high school into college … volunteers as a coach and instructor for Warrenton Wolfpack football camps.
Eric Gallon
6-2 • 220 • LB
Lakeland, Fla.
Lakeland Christian HS
Played linebacker and tight end at Lakeland Christian for head coach Wayne Peace … rated a three-star recruit by ESPN.com, Rivals.com, Scout.com … a two-star recruit by 247Sports … tallied 96 tackles, four sacks and one interception to help Lakeland Christian to an 11-2 record and an appearance in the 3A state semifinal round … also posted 44 solo tackles … honorable mention 3A all-state … was a second-team all-county selection by PolkPreps.com … spent first three years of high school at George Jenkins High School … as a junior at George Jenkins he finished with 83 tackles, 55 solo stops and 3.0 sacks … as a sophomore at George Jenkins he finished with 80 tackles, 50 solo stops and 2.0 sacks.
Kareem Gibson
5-11 • 160 • CB
Johnstown, Pa.
Greater Johnstown HS
Played cornerback and wide receiver at Greater Johnstown High School for head coach Tony Penna … rated a three-star recruit by ESPN.com, Scout.com, 247Sports … a two-star recruit by Rivals.com … tallied 23 tackles and one interception in 2014 … also caught 27 passes for 353 yards and three touchdowns … Class AAA first-team all-state honoree … Pennsylvania Football News first-team all-state.
T.J. Griffin
5-9 • 185 • CB
Virginia Beach, Va.
Ocean Lakes HS
Played cornerback and running back at Ocean Lakes High School for head coach Chris Scott … rated a three-star recruit according to ESPN.com, Rivals.com and Scout.com … a two-star recruit by 247Sports … helped Ocean Lakes to a 51-2 record over his final three seasons, including the 2014 state title … tallied 49 tackles, two interceptions and broke up nine passes as a senior in 2014 to help Ocean Lakes to a 15-0 record and the school’s first state championship … rushed 56 times for 665 rushing yards and nine touchdowns … caught four passes for 111 yards … first-team VHSL 6A all-state at defensive back … first-team All-Tidewater at defensive back … first-team All-Coastal Conference … high school teammates with fellow UVa signee Jahvoni Simmons.
Eli Hanback
6-4 • 275 • DT
Ashland, Va.
Patrick Henry HS
Played offensive line and defensive line at Patrick Henry High School for head coach Bryan Davis … four-year letterman for Patrick Henry … rated a three-star recruit by ESPN.com, Scout.com and 247Sports … a two-star recruit by Rivals.com … team captain as a junior and senior … first-team all-conference as a junior and senior … Conference 16’s Player of the Year … first-team all-metro and all-region in 2014 … second-team all-state … defensive and offensive team MVP as a junior … son of Don and Lisa Hanback … father, Don, played football at Bridgewater College from 1976-78 … involved in community outreach and took part in the Mission to Virginia through Beaverdam Baptist Church.
Nick Johns
6-4 • 215 • QB
Leesburg, Va.
Gonzaga College HS
Played quarterback at Gonzaga College High School for head coach Randy Trivers … rated a three-star recruit by ESPN.com, Scout.com, Rivals.com and 247Sports … completed 66 percent (101-of-155) of his passes for 1,366 yards and 12 touchdowns to help Gonzaga win the Washington, D.C. championship … played in the Offense-Defensive Senior Bowl … threw for 963 yards and five touchdowns in six games in 2013 before missing the remainder of the season with an injury.
Gladimir Paul
6-2 • 215 • LB
Philadelphia, Pa.
Northeast HS
Played defensive end at Northeast High School for head coach Phil Gormley … rated a three-star recruit by ESPN.com and 247Sports … a two-star recruit by Rivals.com and Scout.com … started all 30 games of his high school football career at defensive end for Northeast … team defensive MVP and Maxwell Award nominee (Pennsylvania Mini Max winner) … attended the US Army national combine … named All-Public League two years in a row … finished junior season with 21 sacks, the most in the Philadelphia Public League … also made 68 tackles as junior … son of Jules and Nerlande Paul … volunteered mentoring youth football players at the Bustleton Bengals Football Camp and the Fox Rok Ravens Football Camp … is currently the bass guitarist in the gospel music band “Divine Music” … previously was part of the gospel music band “One Faith” … was honored by the Philadelphia Eagles among talented high school city football players with a GPA of 3.0 or higher.
Grant Polk
6-6 • 300 • OL
Punta Gorda, Fla.
Charlotte HS
Enrolled in January to participate in spring practice … an offensive tackle at Charlotte High School for head coach Binky Waldrop … rated a three-star recruit by ESPN.com, Rivals.com, Scout.com and 247Sports … named an Associated Press first-team all-state 7A honoree … two-time honoree on the Charlotte Sun all-area team … twice named to the Sarasota Herald Tribune all-area team … named to the 2013 and 2014 Florida Athletic Coaches Association District 8 team … named team’s most valuable offensive lineman in 2014 … spent sophomore year of high school in North Carolina at Charles D. Owen High School where he also played defensive tackle and defensive end … also played baseball and basketball … son of Mike and Jeannine Polk … has an older brother, T. Crosland Polk … member of Young Life … enjoys fishing.
R.J. Proctor
6-4 • 295 • OL
Bealeton, Va.
Liberty High School
Played offensive tackle at Liberty High School for head coach Sean Finnerty … rated a three-star recruit by ESPN.com and 247Sports … a two-star recruit by Rivals.com … three-year varsity letterwinner … helped lead the Liberty High School rushing attack tally 4,788 rushing yards for a school record 342 rushing yards per game … was a 2014 first-team all-state honoree by VirginiaPreps … named a first-team All-Conference 22 offensive tackle in 2013 and 2014 … second-team VHSL all-state 4A as a senior… first-team All-Regional 4A North in 2014 … 2013 second-team All-Regional 4A … 2013 4A all-state underclass team … set the Liberty High School squat record at 585 pounds … also played defensive tackle in 2013 and 2014 and collected 40 tackles, 4.0 sacks, recovered three fumbles and forced another … also deflected two passes … son of Ronald and Rosalind Proctor … has three older sisters, Ronita, Shadonna and Kiera … from 2011-14 was a community service worker at the Annual Health Fair … has been a voting poll worker in primary and general elections for county council in Prince George County.
Myles Robinson
5-11 • 175 • WR
Olney, Md.
Our Lady of Good Counsel
Played wide receiver and cornerback at Our Lady of Good Counsel for head coach Bob Milloy … rated a three-star recruit by ESPN.com, Scout.com, Rivals.com and 247Sports … played in the 2014 Maryland National Guard Crab Bowl.
Chris Sharp
6-2 • 195 • RB
Princeton, N.J.
The Hun School
Played linebacker and running back at The Hun School for head coach Todd Smith … rated a three-star recruit by ESPN.com, 247Sports and Scout.com … a two-star recruit by Rivals … a four-year varsity letterwinner and team MVP in 2013 and 2014 … senior captain … 2014 Maxwell Award winner … 2014 MAPL Conference Offensive Player of the Year … NJ Prep first-team all-state … first-team all-area … 2014 Scholar Athlete Award … 2014 All-Mid-Atlantic Prep League … led the conference with 1,085 rushing yards on 81 carries and 19 rushing touchdowns … averaged 13.4 yards per carry … recorded 281 yards receiving with four touchdowns … as a junior was first-team All-MAPL, all-prep and All-Princeton Packet … on honor roll in 2013 and 2014 … a 2014 Red Shield Society Leader … son of Garry and Terri Sharp … has an older brother, Gary, and an older sister, Tyler … brother, Gary, played football at Johns Hopkins from 2010-12 … volunteers through the Sigma Beta Club for the Feed the Homeless program … also helps provide supplies to the Teen Mothers program in Burlington County, N.J. … enjoys reading Japanese Manga/Anime and playing the piano.
Dominic Sheppard
6-2 • 225 • LB
Miami, Fla.
Gulliver Prep
Played outside linebacker and fullback at Gulliver Prep High School for head coach Earl Sims, a three-year letterwinner Virginia as a linebacker … rated a three-star recruit by ESPN.com, Scout.com, Rivals.com and 247Sports.com … Florida High School Athletic Association second-team all-state at linebacker … Miami Herald AP Class 4A second-team all-state team at linebacker … played for the East team in the 2015 Semper Fidelis All-American Bowl in Carson, Calif. … tallied 90 tackles and one interception as a junior in 2013 … posted 55 tackles and five sacks for loss mainly as a defensive end in 2012 … also plays basketball at Gulliver Prep.
Jahvoni Simmons
6-1 • 240 • LB
Virginia Beach, Va.
Ocean Lakes HS
Played inside linebacker at Ocean Lakes High School for head coach Chris Scott … ESPN 300 recruit … ESPN.com’s No. 4 inside linebacker recruit … rated a four-star recruit according to ESPN.com, Rivals.com and Scout.com … a three-star recruit by 247Sports … played in the Under Armour All-American game … helped Ocean Lakes to a 51-2 record over his final three seasons, including the 2014 state title … tallied 73 tackles and three interceptions as a senior in 2014 to help Ocean Lakes to a 15-0 record and the school’s first state championship … also collected 12 tackles for loss despite missing three games with an injury … forced two fumbles, recovered two fumbles, and blocked two field goals and one punt … owns the Ocean Lakes’ career record for tackles with 423 … first-team All-Tidewater … defensive back of the year in the Coastal Conference … All-757 Defensive Player of the Year … made 157 tackles and 23 tackles for loss in 2012 as a sophomore … made 125 tackles and four interceptions in 2013.
C.J. Stalker
6-2 • 225 • LB
West Chester, Ohio
Lakota West HS
Enrolled in January to participate in spring practice … played middle linebacker at Lakota West High School for head coach Larry Cox … three-year letterwinner … rated a four-star recruit by Rivals.com … a three-star recruit by ESPN.com, Scout.com and 247Sports.com … finished high school career with 241 career tackles, 27 tackles for loss and 9.5 sacks … owns school record for tackles in a season (139) and is second in career tackles … tied school records for solo tackles (13) and total tackles (21) in a game … Touchdown Club of Columbus Buckeye Blue Chip honoree … named to the USA Football International Bowl team … first-team Cincinnati Enquirer all-city … Journal News SW Ohio Defensive Player of the Year … AP SW Ohio first-team all-district … AP first-team all-state … Tri-State football first-team at linebacker … as a junior in 2013 was an AP SW Ohio honorable mention … Journal News first team … first-team All-Greater Miami Conference honoree … Tri-State football second-team at linebacker … also played basketball and ran track in high school … Greater Miami Conference All-Academic in football (2012-2014), basketball (2012 and 2013) and track (2013 and 2014) … son of Chris and Barb Stalker … has one older brother, Cole … his brother Cole currently plays football at at Findlay … earned Highest Academic Honors at Lakota West all four years in high school … volunteered with Athletes in Action, Animal Friends Humane Society and at Lakota West’s youth basketball and youth football camps … enjoys playing the guitar.
Juan Thornhill
6-1 • 180 • S
Altavista, Va.
Altavista HS
Played safety and quarterback at Altavista High School for head coach Mike Scharnus … rated a three-star recruit by ESPN.com, Scout.com, Rivals.com and 247Sports.com … Group 1A VHSL State Player of the Year and Group 1A VHSL Quarterback of the Year … first-team VHSL all-state defense … helped Altavista to back-to-back 1A state championships … rushed for the game-winning score, a 40-yard touchdown midway through the fourth quarter of the state championship game win over Essex High School … in the 2014 championship game he ran for two touchdowns and threw for another … he finished with 99 rushing yards and 100 yards passing in the state title game … News and Advance’s defensive football player of the year … intercepted five passes and averaged 35.5 yards per kick return … also plays basketball and has helped Altavista win two 1A state championships … has tallied over 1,000 career points for the basketball team.
James Trucilla
6-1 • 265 • DT
Erie, Pa.
Cathedral Prep
Played defensive tackle at Cathedral Prep for head coach Michael Mischler … rated a three-star recruit by ESPN.com, Scout.com, Rivals.com and 247Sports.com … tallied 40 tackles, 18 tackles for loss and 6.0 sacks in 2014 … first-team all-state Class AAA … twice named to the Erie Times-News District 10 All-Star team … named to the Pennsylvania Football News first-team all-state squad … helped Cathedral Prep to an 11-1 record and an appearance in the first round of the AAA state playoffs.
Steven Wright
6-4 • 235 • DE
Waycross, Ga.
Ware County HS
Played defensive end at Ware County High School for head coach Franklin Stephens … rated a three-star recruit by ESPN.com, Rivals.com and 247Sports.com … a two-star recruit by Scout.com … notched 21 tackles and 3.0 sacks in 2014 … helped Ware County to an 11-1 record and an appearance in the state championship’s round of 16 … first-team All-Region 3-AAAAA.
Olamide Zaccheaus
5-8 • 195 • RB
Philadelphia, Pa.
St. Joseph’s Prep
Played running back and defensive back at St. Joseph’s Prep for head coach Gabe Infante … rated a three-star recruit by ESPN.com, Scout.com, Rivals.com and 247Sports.com … averaged 7.0 yards per rush as he racked up 683 total rushing yards and nine rushing touchdowns in 2014 … also caught 29 passes for 388 yards and four touchdowns … named to the Philadelphia High School 2014 first-team Coaches’ All-Catholic team … Daily News first-team all-city … helped lead the Hawks’ offense to average 35.5 points per game en route to a Catholic League championship and an 11-3 record … part of USA Football’s 2015 International Bowl roster … ran track in the AAU Junior Olympics and made it to nationals from 2007 to 2010 … named pronounced Oh-lama-day Za-key-us.
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