Virginia added a second member to its 2017 recruiting class over the weekend when defensive back Joey Blount committed to the Cavaliers. Blount is the second player to pledge to the Wahoos this month, joining defensive lineman Tommy Christ.
I have decided to commit to the University of Virginia! I want to God, family, and friends! #HoosRising #WAHOOWA 🏈🏈🏈 pic.twitter.com/Db91a8962b
— Joey Blount (@JoeyBlount8) April 9, 2016
A 6-2, 175-pound safety, Blount is the son of former UVa defensive back Tony Blount, who played for the team from 1976-79. The younger Blount currently plays for Landmark Christian School in Fairburn, Georgia.
The addition of the safety is key for a Virginia team that could be losing multiple players at the position after the 2016 season. Senior Kelvin Rainey will graduate out of the program after the fall, and junior Quin Blanding could opt to declare for the NFL Draft.
Blount is rated the No. 142 rising senior in Georgia according to 247Sports’ composite rankings. He is the first player from his state to commit to Virginia since 2015 defensive end Robert Snyder of Suwanee pledged to the Cavaliers last August.
A New Offer
Class of 2017 wide receiver Michael Young announced via his personal Twitter account last Friday that he received an offer from UVa. According to Young, it was his 16th offer.
A native of Destrehan, Louisiana, Young is the No. 66 receiver in the class in the 247Sports composite index. Bronco Mendenhall and his staff are likely to take multiple wideouts this cycle with Kyle Dockins, Jamall Brown and Keeon Johnson graduating after the 2016 season.
Wahoos Pursuing Grad Transfer
Virginia took advantage of the transfer circuit a year ago by adding wide receiver T.J. Thorpe, running back Albert Reid and quarterback Connor Brewer. This offseason, another graduate transfer has popped up on the radar.
Former Arizona State offensive lineman Jack Powers, who redshirted for the Sun Devils in 2013, is transferring after completing his degree in three years. Per 247Sports, UVa is targeting Powers, who can play on either side of the trenches.