Visitors, Trimmed Lists, and New Offers
Virginia has extended a pair of new scholarship offers following the recent live periods. They’re also hosting a flurry of visitors in town before the upcoming trip to Italy. And as always this time of year, recruits are trimming their lists.
Visitors
2023 Hudson Catholic (NJ) guard Elijah Gertrude just finished his official visit to Virginia on Friday. One of the most athletic guards in the class, he’s seen his stock soar this summer. UVA offered him a scholarship following the June scholastic live periods. Schools like Kansas and Syracuse have since joined in.
UVA has prioritized Gertrude, with Tony Bennett shadowing him through July. They’re probably in the best position with him. Nearby schools Seton Hall, Rutgers, and St. John’s seem to be top threats. He’s talked about taking more visits in the Fall. The question right now is will that happen or will he go ahead and make a choice over the next few weeks.
2024 Sidwell Friends (DC) forward Caleb Williams is expected to visit on Thursday. It would be his second trip to UVA this summer. After Coach Bennett watched him play several times in July, he could be in-line for a scholarship offer this time. His current offer list already includes Maryland, Indiana, Villanova, among others.
2024 Salisbury (NC) guard Jayden “Juke” Harris is expected to visit on Monday. A big guard at 6’6, he’s had a great summer of AAU. His current offers include NC State, Tennessee, and VA Tech, among others.
And 2025 recruits are allowed to take unofficial visits beginning in August. UVA will be hosting Millbrook (NC) forward Colt Langdon on Wednesday. He has early offers from Illinois and VA Tech.
Staying Alive
Three recruits in the 2023 class have recently released trimmed lists that included UVA. All of them received scholarship offers in the spring.
Word of God (NC) Freddie Dilione has the Hoos in his Top 10. He took an official visit back in May. Tennessee, VCU, NC State, Wake Forest, and Alabama have all gotten visits already too. The others on his list are Oklahoma, Texas, Texas A&M, and College of Charleston. He’s said he could decide relatively soon. UVA has stayed involved and is actively recruiting him, but their chances seem slim.
Totino-Grace (MN) guard Taison Chatman included UVA in his Top 5 along with Minnesota, Kansas, Xavier, and Ohio State. He’s already visited Xavier and Kansas, and is planning trips to Minnesota and Ohio State for September. UVA could get a visit in the Fall.
And Jesuit (CA) wing Andrej Stojakovic named Virginia to his Top 6 along with Stanford, UCLA, Duke, Oregon, and Texas. The offer from Duke is new. UCLA has been considered the favorite for him.
The good news is they’re still alive for three great players. The bad news is none are very likely to end up at UVA. But things change in recruiting. As long as the door stays open, there’s a chance.
The most interesting upcoming list cut will probably be that of South Kent (CT) point guard Elmarko Jackson. He's been a priority recruit for UVA this summer, but the same can be said for quite a few power conference programs. The other is Worcester (MA) forward TJ Power. I don't know if he'll actually bother to name finalists. UVA figures to be included if he does.
New Offers
Virginia has made two new scholarship offers following the recent live period, both to recruits in the 2023 class.
Link Academy (MO) point guard Trey Green had a huge week at Peach Jam. He was named MVP while leading his team to the championship. His recruitment has seen an uptick as a result. He just took an official visit to Xavier. They were the heavy favorite. Before the new offers, it seemed almost certain he would commit there soon. Now we’ll find out if those new offers changed anything.
UVA seems poised to be the leading alternative to Xavier. He's probably the most important recruit on the board for Bennett right now, simply because of the need at that position. They’re trying hard to get him to Charlottesville soon for a visit. Miami is also involved. And Kansas State could be a dark horse in the race, after hiring his high school coach as an assistant.
UPDATE: Trey Green will announce his college choice on Saturday. That doesn't bode well for UVA since he hasn't visited yet.
Benedictine (VA) shooting guard Davin Cosby Jr also received an offer last week. He’s one of the hottest recruits in the country. Over a dozen high-major schools have offered him now, all coming in July. He just visited Wake Forest, and has scheduled another for Alabama. UVA is undoubtedly working to get their turn.
Virginia has one commitment so far in the 2023 class from Lake City (ID) big man Blake Buchanan. They're hoping to add up to three more in what's going to be a crucial Fall of recruiting ahead. We'll have it covered as always on Locker Room Access.