UVA beats Indiana, Penn State, Notre Dame, UNC, Hokies for star DB Costner

By Jerry Ratcliffe

Virginia pulled off a substantial recruiting coup on Saturday when the Cavaliers landed a commitment from Maryland prep standout Corey Costner from Baltimore.

Costner, a 4-star by On3.com and a 3-star by the other recruiting services, is a 6-foot-1, 190-pound athlete who is expected to play in UVA’s secondary. He is the 17th commitment to the Cavaliers’ class of 2025.

The rising senior at Perry Hall High School was highly pursued and could have played for any number of higher-profile football programs, but he loved the relationship built with Virginia coach Tony Elliott and defensive backs coach Curome Cox.

Virginia beat out Penn State, Notre Dame, Tennessee, Virginia Tech, North Carolina, Michigan State, Minnesota, Indiana, Duke, Boston College, Wake Forest, Wisconsin, Pitt, West Virginia, Cincinnati, Liberty and several other schools, all of which offered Costner.

In the end, it came down to Virginia over Indiana, which is coached by former JMU coach Curt Cignetti.

Costner officially visited UVA, Indiana, Penn State, UNC (several times), Wisconsin, Pitt and Wake.

Rated the No. 11 “athlete” in the nation and the No. 8 overall prospect at any position in the state of Maryland by On3, 247’s composite ranking ranks him the No. 31 athlete nationally and No. 14 prospect in Maryland.

He played both stong safety and wide receiver for Perry Hall and he racked up 76 catches as a sophomore and junior for nearly 1,500 yards and 16 touchdowns. Last season as a safety, he posted 28 tackles and three interceptions.

Costner, whose mother is a Virginia alum, has 11.4 speed in the 100 meters.