Wahooze on the Trail: Safety

The safety position was the biggest weakness of the defense last year, and with the departure of McLeod and Mosely it leaves a huge void back there. With young players poised to take control of the position next season it also presents a very real opportunity for players in the class of 2013 to come in and have an immediate impact. That being said it appears that Coach London recruits athletes and defensive backs rather than pure safeties. That being said the Hoos are hot on the trail of 3 true safeties this season, one of which could easily and may soon become the first commitment of the 2013 class. Let’s get into it.

Tim Harris           6-2 173lbs.                          Richmond, VA                   Varina

Harris is a top prospect for the class of 2013. Hailing from Richmond, VA and Varina high school, who recently sent Tyrell Chavis and Maurice Canady to the Hoos, it is easy to see why UVA thinks it is in the driver’s seat. At Saturday’s junior day it appears Harris had a great time, so great in fact that he remained in Charlottesville on Sunday. It will be interesting to see how long this is dragged out. Harris has a visit to Michigan scheduled but should that change Wahoo fans have something to be excited about. Oh and he is also very good. Rated number 161 in the rivals 250 for 2013 and number 4 in the state of Virginia. Harris runs a 4.48 40 and has the frame to put on enough weight to be a prototypical ball hawking free safety.

Probable Destination: UVA. Not to sound overconfident but this sounds like it might just be a matter of time at this point.

Calvin Jones       6-0 185lbs.                          Olney, MD                          Good Counsel

Jones is the kind of recruit that helps you get into a school to get other kids. That being said he is also no slouch on the football field. So far his only offer is from Virginia but he is getting looks from schools like Georgia Tech and Pittsburgh. While Jones would be a great get for the football team on the field, he could be just as big off the field. UVA needs to get a bigger presence in the Good Counsel program and the best way to do that is to sign lower level players who will not hurt the team. Jones can be seen as a Will Wahee type player, who while he will help on the field, also helped to get the ball rolling with the NCS kids this season.

Probable Destination: Georgia Tech. Unfortunately for the Hoos there are other schools that have the same strategy we do. Jones has said in the past that he likes Georgia Tech and has family down there. I think that angle might be too good to pass up.

Priest Willis       6-1 205lbs.                          Tempe, AZ                          Marcos De Niza

That’s not a typo, Willis is from Arizona. How on earth did we find him you might ask? Well the answer to that might also happen to be our biggest recruiting tool. Willis is the cousin and good friend of 2012 commit Demeitre Brim. The two appear to be close and it will be interesting to see if UVA can work a little magic and secure Willis. Willis currently holds 21 offers including such programs as LSU, Notre Dame, Oklahoma and Florida State. UVA has a tall task ahead of them but if they can somehow land Willis they could have a very strong safety tandem as Willis looks like a great prospect at the strong safety spot. Hopefully Demeitre can put a bug in his ear and get his cousin to Charlottesville.

Probable Destination: USC.  Should the Trojans offer I think it will be hard to secure Willis over them. He has visited twice and they seem to be the leader.