UVA plucks another diamond-in-rough receiver from Alabama

By Jerry Ratcliffe

Virginia has gained attention the past few years for discovering diamonds in the rough at wide receiver, and it appears the Cavaliers have discovered yet another.

Amare Thomas, a 6-foot-1, 200-pound wideout from Pinson Valley High School in Pinson, Ala., announced on social media Friday that he has committed to the Cavaliers.

A consensus 3-star by the various recruiting services, Thomas is rated the No. 30 overall prospect in the state of Alabama by On3.com.  Thomas, who had 17 offers, chose UVA over Penn State, USF, Liberty, Army, Jackson State, Coastal Carolina and others.

ITGNext, which reports on high school football, noted that Thomas is the fourth-best returning wide receiver in the state of Alabama.

Tom Lemming, a longtime noted national recruiting analyst said after watching Thomas work out: “great hands and speed; expert route runner and efficient downfield blocker; very impressive body control and burst.”

Thomas is coached by former Auburn wide receiver Lee Guess, who spent the past seven years at Pinson Valley (six as an assistant before taking over the program last season), and is noted for his ability to develop players.

Thomas visited UVA last week and decided over the weekend that Virginia was where he should spend his college career, particularly after spending time with Cavaliers wide receivers coach Marques Hagans, who told Thomas that his game is somewhat like UVA star Dontayvion Wicks.

UVA now has five commitments for the Class of 2023.

110% COMMITED🔶🔷⚔️ #GoWahoos @UVAFootball pic.twitter.com/OUJwC2wazG

— MARE $$ (@MareThomas2) June 17, 2022