2021 Recruiting Breakdown
State: Virginia
Virginia is a state that’s very intriguing for many reasons. It has a ton of elite talent. However, most of the time this talent doesn’t stay home. In 2020, all Top 10 recruits in VA left the state. Just one Top 10 recruit stayed home (VT) in 2019. In 2018, the Top 5 players left the state. In 2017 one of the Top 5 stayed home (VT). And in 2016, the Top all 10 left the state. UVA hasn’t landed a Top 10 recruit in the state the last 5 recruiting cycles. Yet, they still managed to win the ACC Coastal in 2019.
NCAAFNation247 Top 10 – the state of Virginia
1. CB Tony Grimes ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Grimes is a 5⭐ Corner who is a natural at the position. He works extremely hard throughout the year and it shows on the field. Grimes has a high IQ and is a leader on and off the field. He tracks the ball well with great timing, and should start immediately at whatever school he chooses.
Teams to Beat
A lot of Virginia and Virginia Tech fans have asked me if Grimes will stay home. I don’t see it happening. Both will be in his Top 5, but neither will land him. The major contenders here are Georgia, Ohio State, Texas A&M, and Clemson.
Prediction: Georgia
Darkhorses: Texas A&M or UNC
2. OT Tristan Leigh ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Leigh is a player I was big on even before this recent blowup to a 5⭐. He’s a UVA legacy and also the cousin of the Edmunds brothers who played at Virginia Tech. Leigh excels at both run blocking and pass blocking, and also has excellent athleticism for a 6’5″ 275-pound tackle.
Teams to Beat
Clemson should be considered the favorite to land Leigh. Although, LSU is the only scheduled visit he has this summer. Penn State and Virginia Tech are also contenders.
Prediction: Clemson
Darkhorse: Virginia Tech
3. RB TreVeyon Henderson ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Henderson will be a game changer in the backfield for Ohio State. He has elite speed and quickness. Henderson is a versatile player who can also play DB, but will excel as an All-Purpose Back in college.
Currently committed to Ohio State
4. DE Kelvin Gilliam ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Gilliam has the frame and versatility to play Defensive End or Defensive Tackle in college. Gilliam is 6’3″ 255 lbs and will continue to add upper body strength. If Gilliam keeps developing throughout the summer and fall, he will get into the Top 50-100 nationally.
Teams to Beat
Gilliam just released a Top 15:
Prediction: Too early to tell. Although, I believe Michigan, Oklahoma, Penn State, Virginia Tech, and Tennessee sit well early on.
5. DE/LB Naquan Brown ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Brown has the athleticism and quickness to play OLB or WDE. He’s quick off the edge and has good burst at the snap. With good development and improved strength, Brown has the potential to be a 3-4 year P5 starter.
Teams to Beat
Brown’s first offer was from Virginia Tech, and they were the team to beat until his cousin was dismissed from the team. With that happening, the picture is a lot more cloudy. Although, I wouldn’t totally count out the Hokies. LSU, Maryland, and Penn State are also making a big push for brown.
Prediction: Penn State/Virginia Tech
Darkhorse: Maryland
6. WR Malcolm Johnson Jr ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Johnson is 6’1″ 185 lbs and the #1 ranked WR in Virginia for 2021. Johnson has ELITE speed and acceleration. Once he’s in the open, he’s gone. Johnson runs good routes and has good hands. He’s a do it all player.
Teams to Beat
Johnson recently released a Top 12. However, he tells me when he releases his Top 8, there will be two schools on his list who weren’t in his Top 12. So six teams in his Top 12 will get cut with two new teams entering the picture.
Prediction: No Pick
7. DT Tyleik Williams ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Williams is 6’3″ 315 lbs and could play DE or SDE in college. He has the quickness and body control inside to cause nightmares for interior offensive linemen.
Teams to Beat
Stonewall Jackson HS has been a Pypeline to Virginia Tech the last few years. DT Tim Settle and CB Greg Stroman are both in the NFL, and DB Reggie Floyd will be in the NFL next season. With all of that said, the Hokies actually aren’t the team to beat for Williams. The schools you should watch are Penn State, Alabama, UNC, and Virginia.
Prediction: No Pick
8. OT Logan Taylor ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Taylor is a massive 6’8″ 290 lbs. Taylor has an outstanding frame with long arms.
Team to Beat
It’s hard to get a read on Taylor but I think the Tar Heels are in a good spot.
9. CB Damond Harmon ⭐⭐⭐
Harmon is a player I’m very high on. He will jump into the 4⭐ ranks soon. Harmon opens his hips and runs with ease. He’s comfortable in the backpedal and explodes forward. Whoever gets this young man will get a playmaker.
Teams to Beat
Tennessee, Penn State, West Virginia, Michigan, Virginia Tech, Ole Miss, Maryland, and South Carolina are all in the running.
10. ATH Bryce Steele ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Steele is 6’1″ 205 lbs and could play Safety or Linebacker in college. He missed his junior season due to an injury. So with a big senior season, you could see him rise in the rankings.
Prediction: UNC
Other Top Recruits in Virginia
3⭐ ATH Trenton Adkins
Adkins is listed as an ATH but projects as a RB. He has good vision & excels between the tackles.
Prediction: West Virginia
3⭐ RB Malik Newton
Newton is a dual sport star, as he also excels in baseball as a centerfielder. Some schools have offered him the opportunity to play both in college.
Teams to Beat
West Virginia, Penn State, Nebraska, Temple, Virginia Tech.
3⭐ QB Jay Woolfolk
Woolfolk is a multi-sport athlete who excels at baseball as well as football. He’s currently committed to UVA.
3⭐ DE George Wilson
Wilson is 6’6″ 210 lbs and could play DE or OLB in college. Virginia, Virginia Tech, Maryland, Oregon, Georgia Tech, Ole Miss, Pittsburgh and South Carolina are all players to land his commitment. Wilson recently landed an offer from Penn State, which could change things.
3⭐ DB Jalen Stroman
Stroman is 6’1″ 190 lbs and is already bigger than his brother Greg when he was in high school.
Prediction: Virginia Tech
3⭐ RB Hunter Rice
Rice has good vision and isn’t afraid to run a defender over. He’s one of the most underrated RBs in 2021.
Prediction: UVA/Liberty
3⭐ ATH Myles Alston
Alston is 6’2″ 175 lbs and does a good job at high pointing the ball. He has good hands and runs precise routes.
Teams to Beat: Maryland/Pitt/VT
3⭐ RB Eric McDaniels
McDaniels and Henderson in the same high school backfield will be fun to watch, a lightning and thunder combination with McDaniels being the strong, goal line back (Thunder).
3⭐ DT James Gillespie
Gillespie has good size at 6’2″ 300 lbs and excels as a run stopper. He has multiple P5 offers.
3⭐ WR Jaylen Jones
Jones is a player who’s seen a spark in his recruitment lately. He’s 6’1″ 185 lbs, and had 18 receiving TDs last season as a junior.
Team to Beat: Virginia Tech
3⭐ DB Maurice Freeman
Freeman plays at Oscar Smith HS in Chesapeake, which has produced a ton of elite players the past few years.
Teams to Beat: Appalachian State, Liberty, Old Dominion, East Carolina, Louisville & Virginia Tech
3⭐ DE Trevion Stevenson
Stevenson, a former ODU commit, is 6’5″ 220 lbs. He has the ability to play multiple positions, including receiver/tight end.
3⭐ DE James Smith
Smith is a player who’s recruitment is starting to take off. He’s landed offers from multiple P5 & G5 schools.
Teams to Beat: Maryland, Tennessee, Pitt, Virginia Tech, Temple, and ODU
3⭐ LB Ze’marion Harrell
Harrell just released a Top 6 of Virginia Tech, Virginia, Tennessee, Louisville, Pitt, and Maryland
Other Committed Recruits
- Pitt – 3⭐ ATH Rodney Hammond
- App St – 3⭐ OT Colston Powers
- Maryland – 3⭐ WR Tai Felton
- Tennessee – 3⭐ ATH Nate Evans
- UVA – 3⭐ ATH Malachi Fields
- Rutgers – 3⭐ WR Max Patterson
- W&M – 2⭐ ATH MarQeese Dietz
