Here’s how you can watch Zach Rice’s commitment announcement

By Jerry Ratcliffe

Virginia fans will learn in just a few hours if the nation’s No. 1 offensive lineman, Lynchburg’s Zach Rice, will become a Wahoo.

Rice, a 6-foot-6, 280-pound offensive tackle from Liberty Christian Academy, will announce his decision at 8:15 p.m. this evening.

Fans can watch Rice’s college selection reveal live on Twitter by going to @CBSSportsHQ at that designated time. You can also watch on the CBS Sports App or via your connected device (Roku, Amazon Fire, Apple TV).

The massive lineman, who has been nicknamed “Big Nasty” for his aggressive blocking skills, will choose between Virginia, North Carolina, Notre Dame, Alabama and Ohio State.

He is projected to eventually become an NFL first-round draft choice, just like some of the offensive tackles Virginia has produced over the years such as Jim Dombrowski, Ray Roberts and D’Brickashaw Ferguson.

The 5-Star tackle’s mom, Mary Rice, said last week that her son had already made up his mind. The family does have strong ties to UVA because Zach’s grandfather went to Virginia, his grandmother worked in Charlottesville, and his mother lived in Charlottesville.

PATIENCE pic.twitter.com/W4K6HRaOKu

— ZACH RICE (@od_zach) October 21, 2021

Rice has a longtime and close relationship with UVA offensive line coach Garett Tujague, who has worked hard to build the Cavaliers’ offensive line into one of the top units in the ACC. Rice has said he is so close to Tujague and is so comfortable in their friendship, that he has told the Virginia coach that he has not shared with anyone else.

Rice said he wants to play somewhere that he feels that he can be himself, where there are other people with the same mindset. The offensive coaching, the experience, his future teammates on the offensive line and chemistry are all factors in his choice.

Also, one of Rice’s current LCA teammates already committed to UVA, quarterback Davis Lane.

“He’s the best quarterback I’ve ever played with,” Rice said. “I could definitely play with him another three or four years.”

Rice said he also likes the offensive system that UVA offensive coordinator Robert Anae has formulated.

Big Nasty will be graduating early from Liberty and enrolling early at the college of his choice.

We will have a full report on Rice’s commitment later tonight after his announcement. In the meantime, you can check out some of his highlights below.