Dunn Set His Date, and Bennett Hits the Road Recruiting
Thursday was jam packed with recruiting news and activity. The top remaining 2022 target is ready to make his choice. Meanwhile, Tony Bennett and staff are on the road again checking out potential new 2023 recruits along with one we’re already familiar with.
Dunn Deal?
Fresh off his official visit to Charlottesville last weekend, Ryan Dunn is ready to announce his college choice this Saturday. Expert predictions have flooded in, all pointing our way. It’s never over until the recruit says it is, so we’ll wait and see on his verdict. Sings are clearly promising for Wahoo fans.
One thing to keep in mind is that Dunn is already a high school graduate of Long Island Lutheran (NY), now doing a prep year at The Perkiomen School (PA). If he chooses Virginia, he’ll have the option to enroll early. Possibly for the second semester this Winter. I think there's a good possibility that he takes that route, using this year as a redshirt at UVA.
Bennett Makes His Rounds
Head Coach Tony Bennett had a full day of recruiting, making three stops that I’m aware of. All for 2023 prospects, each of them ranked in the Top 50 by various services. The junior class is the main focus now that we’re into Fall recruiting.
Bennett and assistant Kyle Getter were at Armaan Franklin’s old high school, Cathedral in Indianapolis, this morning to see big man Xavier Booker. He’s a popular Big Ten target with offers from Indiana, Purdue, and Michigan State. UVA hasn’t yet joined the race, but obviously there’s serious interest for Bennett to come around.
This afternoon, Bennett and Getter were in Louisville to see forward Kaleb Glenn. Again, he doesn’t yet have a Virginia offer either.. His recruitment is more advanced than most juniors at this stage. Already down to a top four of Indiana, Texas A&M, Tennessee, and Louisville. The door is still open for newcomers, which UVA is obviously considering.
Top guard target Reed Sheppard was paid a visit by Bennett his evening. He’s already made a trip to Charlottesville back in June, and holds a scholarship offer. Kentucky, where both his parents played, is seen as the team to beat. It’s probably going to be just a two-team race between UVA and UK. Reed is scheduled to come back for an official visit next month.
So Long, Caleb
2023 Oak Hill (VA) point guard Caleb Foster confirmed the rumors today by announcing his commitment to Duke. UVA was the one challenger that hadn’t given up in the race. Bennett saw him on the first day out last week.
It’s always better to miss out on a recruit early before you’ve spent a lot of energy toward the cause. He was the only true point guard with a UVA offer in the class so far, although some would say Reed Sheppard qualifies. Look for Bennett and staff to adjust quickly to focus energy on new targets at the position. It’s their most urgent need for 2023. This was no surprise though. They took their swing and thankfully got a quick final verdict.
Assistants Busy Too
Coach Williford was in Florida this week at Winter Haven High School for fast rising 2023 forward Dylan James. That’s a name to keep in mind in the months ahead.
2023 Imhotep (PA) wing Justin Edwards, the first in the class to receive a Virginia offer in June, was visited by assistant coach Orlando Vandross this week. Kentucky coaches were in to see him as well. They would quickly become the favorite with an offer.
Vandross also saw Alassane Amadou, a 2023 forward from Philadelphia, who received a lot of the staff’s attention this summer.
And Coach Getter was reported in Ohio visiting 2023 guard Lawrent Rice. That’s a name we haven’t heard tied to UVA before.
