The class of 2012 signed on the dotted line on Wednesday and though that was a big day for that class, it marked the beginning of our focus on the class of 2013. The coaching staff has been out on the trail looking for kids to help fill out next year’s class. Over the next few weeks we are going to look at the potential recruits position by position to give you a sneak peak at the targets, and hopefully commits of the class of 2013.
This post will focus on what is most likely the best crop of QBs that Virginia has had a legitimate shot at in a very long time. The state of Virginia alone may boast 3 5-star QBs. That being said QB is not a major position of need on this team, which is quite the opposite of this past season when we were thrilled to score Grayson Lambert, who is a very underrated 3-star prospect. That being said Coach Lazor has stated that he wants to bring in one elite level QB in each class. So don’t be surprised if one of these kids winds up in Charlottesville next season. These are the players, ranked in order of desire by the coaching staff, that I see the Hoos pursuing at the QB position for 2013:
Bucky Hodges 6-6 220lbs. Virginia Beach, VA Salem
Hodges is one of the two premier QBs in Virginia, and possibly one of the best in the country. Extremely mobile and possessing a cannon for a right arm Hodges will be the kind of player that you can build an offense around. Hodges has been declared the number one target for the Hoos this recruiting season. That being said he is also the ONLY QB that Virginia Tech has offered for 2013, and the Hokies are making it very clear that they want Hodges to come to Tech and be the next 757 QB to come dominate the college game, just like Mike Vick and Tyrod Taylor before him. While that will be tough to overcome UVA has a few things playing into their favor. First they have Divante Walker, Hodges’ teammate, already signed for next season. The second and possibly more important angle is that Hodges has the chance to instead of being “the next Mike Vick” to be “THE Bucky Hodges.” Which I think is not something to overlook. Hodges would give the Hoos a dynamic playmaker at QB, making the sky the limit for Bill Lazor and the offense. Hodges is also good friends with Eli Harold, which cannot be understated as far as importance goes, since Harold might be the best recruiter we have. Get on it Coach West.Probable destination: Virginia Tech. I think this will be a bloodbath in the state, but one I think Virginia Tech will win. Unless we have a downright explosive season on offense and win a ton of games I don’t see us looking more appealing in Hodges mind than VT. Which hurts me to write.
Ryan Burns 6-4 218lbs. Ashburn, VA Stone Bridge
Burns is the other premier QB in Virginia, and the more prototypical, drop back passer. If I had to guess I think Coach Lazor would prefer Burns to Hodges, but Coach London wants, and the program needs, to take Hodges over him, especially if it wants to identify itself more with the 757. Burns can throw the ball deep and accurately. He is more than capable of making every throw possible. That being said he is significantly less mobile than Hodges. If the offense is going to remain a true pro-style then Burns will be perfect, if they want it make a more athletic SEC style offense, then Burns might not be the best fit. That being said the coaching staff would take a commitment from either of these players today. What UVA has working the most for them is the fact the Burns’ brother Rob already plays for the Hoos. Will that be a benefit? It’s unclear at this point, but unless the Burns house is very awkward I can’t imagine that it hurts having Rob around. Probable Destination: Penn State. I think Burns will be close to the top QB in America, and he seems to have no trepidations about leaving home. He was thought to be a Penn State lean before the Sandusky scandal, and now that Bill O’Brien and his NFL pedigree has arrived in State College I think the “Come be my program cornerstone” angle will be hard to resist, especially for a player with NFL aspirations.
Christian Hackenberg 6-4 215lbs. Fork Union, VA FUMA
Hackenberg has long been thought to be a lock to UVA since his father went and played here. However there are two very major competitors that have entered the fray. The first is Tennessee, who is coached by Hackenberg’s father’s former teammate Derek Dooley. If UVA can play the Alumni card then Tennessee will have no problem playing the friend card in order to win the battle for the parents, which is an important one to win. The second major player for Hackenberg is Alabama, who recently came on board. Hackenberg fits the Alabama offense perfectly as he is very smart and accurate with the ball. Look at the QBs that have had success there. Hackenberg is a more talented Greg McElroy for them. I think the longer this drags out the more traction the Tide has. Probable Destination: Alabama. UVA could go get Christian right now if they made him the top priority, but with so much focus on Hodges and Burns that will most likely not happen, which is most likely going to cost them. Saban is a tough recruiter and the more time he gets the harder it will be to pry Hackenberg away from Tuscaloosa.
Brendan Marshall 6-5 210lbs. Olney, MD Good Counsel
This might be the only out of state QB we target this season, which is frankly incredible in my mind. While Marshall has all the measureables to be a legit D1 quarterback I wonder how much better the players he plays with, most notably Stefon Diggs, makes him look. Marshall will most likely gain an offer from Maryland but UVA seems to be in the driver’s seat on this one. While slow playing will hurt our chances with Hackenberg, I can’t imagine it will make that big of an impact with Marshall. Most likely a High 3 star prospect we will be competing with programs like BC and Maryland for Marshall’s services. The one thing Marshall does have in his favor is that it may open the door for UVA to also land teammate Andre Levrone, a talented wideout. Probable Destination: Boston College. I think BC will be able to offer more than UVA as far as playing time, especially since UVA already has a few QBs of Marshall’s caliber on the roster. This could change as the season progresses but I would be surprised to see Marshall give up a good shot at being a starter to come to a school with a more crowded QB picture, especially since he is the star QB of the top program in the DC area.
Wilton Speight 6-6 221lbs. Richmond, VA The Collegiate School
Speight is the big wild card in this class. A physical specimen it will be interesting to see what the interest is in him. Speight broke his collarbone in the first game of the season this year, ending his season. I think he is a sleeper great prospect, if he checks out medically. Of all the QBs in this class he intrigues me the most, and is the one I want to see the Hoos go get. He would be a serious project for Coach Lazor but could easily develop into a very good QB.Probable Destination: UVA! Finally. This is the one to go and get. We have depth and can take on a project QB like this. We may end up adding him even if we add another QB just because of the potential.
Corwin Cutler 6-3 180 Virginia Beach, VA Ocean Lakes
Cutler is right alongside Speight as a project QB. I think this will be a tough add for the staff considering the failures of David Watford. That being said if Mike Rocco’s arm falls off and David Watford learns how to play football and revolutionizes the offense then this would be a perfect guy to get after, but I don’t really forsee that happening, mostly because Watford seems like he's in over his head. Cutler would be nice, and I think would want to come here, but if he becomes our big QB signing, that might be a problem.Probable Destination: Virginia Tech. I think this is pretty easy. Cutler probably grew up watching Mike Vick and Virginia Tech, and that angle will most likely work on him, especially since their offense will fit his skills much better.
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