UVA adds much-needed help at cornerback from portal

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Posted on Sunday, Jan. 7, 2024, 12:15 am

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By Jerry Ratcliffe

Photos: Robert Morris University Athletics

One of Tony Elliott’s recruiting goals following National Signing Day a few weeks ago was to add depth to Virginia’s cornerback position.

The Cavaliers began to address that need Saturday night when former Robert Morris corner Jermarian Jackson announced during his official visit to UVA that he had committed to the program. By making that announcement, Jackson flipped his previous commitment to Akron and became a Cavalier.

Jackson has three years of eligibility remaining.

“We’ve got to be really active at corner … we’ve got to beef up our numbers and find some experienced guys that can come in here and compete,” Elliott said on signing day.

Jackson, a 6-foot-2, 175-pounder, originally from Plant City, Fla., was a Phil Steele third-team FCS Freshman All-American in 2023, after recording 40 tackles (33 solo) with five pass break-ups, a forced fumble and 1.5 tackles for loss for Robert Morris.

Jackson was also voted Big South-OVC Football Association’s Co-Defensive Freshman of the Year.

The former Robert Morris corner was highly attracted to Virginia because of the academics and the opportunity for immediate playing time.

Elliott would like to add at least one more corner to the roster.

UVA has acquired nine players via the portal (stories on each are in our football archives on this site): wide receivers Chris Tyree, Andre Greene Jr., and Trill Harris; quarterback Gavin Frakes; tight end Tyler Neville; offensive lineman Drake Metcalf; defensive back Kendren Smith; safety Corey Thomas and cornerback Jermarian Jackson.