Ohio State linebacker Melton signs with Virginia

By Jerry Ratcliffe

Virginia continued to build on its top-25 transfer recruiting class on Tuesday morning when Ohio State linebacker Mitchell Melton, fresh off the Buckeyes’ national championship, signed with the Cavaliers.

A 6-foot-4, 261-pound outside linebacker/defensive end, originally from Silver Spring, Md., Melton took snaps in Ohio State’s win over Notre Dame on Monday night. He has one year of eligibility remaining.

Melton continues UVA’s momentum in the NCAA transfer portal, with Tony Elliott’s class ranked among the top 25 transfer classes in the nation by 247Sports and Rivals. He is the Cavaliers’ 18th transfer, the eighth on the defensive side of the ball.

A 4-star prospect out of Our Lady of Good Counsel High in Olney, Md., in 2020, Melton was ranked as the No. 11 outside linebacker in the country by 247Sports and the No. 8 overall prospect in the state of Maryland. He chose Ohio State over Michigan, Notre Dame, Texas A&M, Mississippi and others.

Melton played in 21 games over the past two seasons for the Buckeyes, including 13 games this past season (appeared in all four College Football Playoff games) and posted 15 career tackles, 9 solo, 3 sacks, and 6.5 tackles for loss. This past season was his most successful when he recorded 12 tackles, 6 solo, 2 sacks and 3.5 tackles for loss.

Due to injuries, he did not play in 2021 or 2022.

Melton should add some experience and depth to Virginia’s linebacking corps, which should consist of Kam Robinson, James Jackson and Trey McDonald, along with Eastern Kentucky transfer Maddox Marcellus.