What caused Kirven to decommit from UVa?

Virginia’s football program is still awaiting its first 2017 commitment of the Bronco Mendenhall era, as the new UVa staff seeks to build relationships and get its message across to prospects and coaches throughout the state of Virginia and beyond.

As the Cavaliers work to build momentum on the recruiting trail, the program lost its last recruiting tie to the Mike London era — 2017 in-state tight end commitment John Kirven, a 6-6, 240-pound tight end from Woodberry Forest School. The younger brother of UVa basketball player Caid Kirven, John pledged to the Wahoos last October before London lost his job.

Throughout the late fall and into the winter, Kirven remained a Virginia commitment on the surface, as Mendenhall settled in and assembled his coaching staff. There was no reason to rock the boat right away on either side.

But in recent weeks, as there’s been more communication between Kirven and the new Virginia staff, the chemistry didn’t seem to be quite as good as with the prior regime. The consensus 3-star, listed currently as the No. 42 tight end nationally and No. 26 rising senior in Virginia according to 247Sports’ composite rankings, made the decision to open up his recruitment.