Early Class of 2025 Names To Know For Virginia
Starting on Thursday, college coaches are allowed to contact 2025 recruits directly for the first time. It’s an exciting day for rising juniors. There will be lots of reports, lists of which schools contacted each player. It’s the kickoff to the recruiting process for them.
During the upcoming live periods, the Virginia coaching staff will spend more time evaluating for the 2025 class. There’s already been meaningful activity involving some recruits in the class though. Visits and players that coaches have gone to see play. Those are early 2025 names to know.
Jacob Wilkins
The very first game Tony Bennett showed up at during the spring AAU season was to see Grayson (GA) forward Jacob Wilkins. He’s the son of NBA legend Dominique Wilkins, and younger brother of our own Isaiah Wilkins. A special athlete, Jacob will probably flirt with five-star status on all the recruiting sites soon. Programs such as Indiana and Alabama have already offered. Early signs point to Virginia eventually joining the race.
Christian Gurdak
Gonzaga (DC) big man Christian Gurdak has had a breakout spring playing for Team Takeover on the Nike EYBL circuit. He was at UVA for an unofficial visit in October. The coaching staff, Bennett included, attended several of his April games. If they decide to pursue a big man in the class, he looks like the leading candidate. Penn State and Virginia Tech have offered so far.
Jordan Scott
South Lakes (VA) wing Jordan Scott has been one of the hottest names in the 2025 class. He’s piled up offers from Illinois, Iowa, Pitt, among others. Playing for Virginia Elite on the Under Armour circuit, he’s showcased his two-way abilities as a scorer and a versatile defender. The national rankings haven’t caught up yet, but that’ll change soon. UVA hosted him on an unofficial visit last fall. Expect to see Coach Bennett courtside evaluating him this summer.
Colt Langdon
Millbrook (NC) forward Colt Langdon has already visited Virginia twice. He has family ties to UVA, his dad played football for the Wahoos. The lefty sharpshooter fits into that Sam Hauser mold of the skilled modern forward everybody is looking for. He’ll be a popular recruit in the months ahead. LSU and VA Tech are among his early offers. UVA assistants watched him in April, and no doubt Bennett will soon.
Jackson Keith
Southern Durham (NC) guard Jackson Keith visited UVA last fall. A big versatile guard, he’s been very productive playing alongside Langdon for Team Loaded Virginia on the Adidas circuit. The UVA staff was regularly in attendance for their games this spring. NC State and LSU have already offered Keith. He has definite potential to shoot up the recruiting charts into blue blood territory.
Chance Mallory
Local product Chance Mallory made a name for himself this spring. The St. Anne’s-Belfield point guard led the Under Armour circuit in offensive efficiency. And that’s while playing up an age division. He earned offers from Maryland and West Virginia among others along the way. UVA coaches were on hand to see him multiple times in April. Their involvement could depend on what happens with the 2024 point guards being recruited, but Mallory is definitely one to watch out for.
Nate Ament
Nate Ament out of Colgan (VA) is the kind of positionless player that’s tailor-made for the modern game. He has guard skills combined with the size at 6'7" to defend just about anyone on the floor. There’s some rough edges, but he has the look of a future five-star prospect. UVA is always one of the first schools of interest he mentions. They’ll no doubt be involved. It’ll be interesting to see how high his stock climbs this summer as head coaches start to lay their eyes on him.
Eric Reibe
Bullis School (MD) 7-footer Eric Reibe has all the tools to be an elite big man. His recruitment has skyrocketed since coaches have gotten a chance to see him this spring playing for New World on the Adidas circuit. He already has 10+ high-major scholarship offers, all coming since April. Virginia is eyeing him. If they want a chance, they’ll need to jump on board and make him a priority this fall.
Landon Vanderwarker
UVA hosted Northside Christian (OH) forward Landon Vanderwarker on an unofficial visit for a game in November. There haven’t been any offers reported for him, but that won’t last long. He’s had a great spring playing for Midwest Basketball Club on the Adidas circuit. It’s just a matter of time until high-major programs line up. He’s a shot-maker with size who fits perfectly into a stretch-four role.
Jalen Rougier-Roane
Sidwell Friends (DC) guard Jalen Rougier-Roane has taken two unofficial visits to UVA already. They most likely will be after a big guard in the class. He very much fits the mold at 6’5”. There are early offers from Marquette, Providence, and of course VA Tech. He’ll be a popular attraction for coaches this summer. Bennett and staff certainly among them.
Austin Williford
St. Anne’s-Belfield (VA) guard Austin Williford is of course the son of Virginia Associate Head Coach Jason Williford. The UVA staff is familiar with him. He has a couple early mid-major offers, including from our old friend Ritchie McKay at Liberty. The tools are there for him to reach this level. It’ll be one of the more interesting storylines to watch over the next year, to see if he develops into an ACC recruit.
(Featured Image Credit: Matt Riley/UVA Athletics)