Virginia beats out Michigan, Tennessee, Hokies for N.C. linebacker Rowe

By Jerry Ratcliffe

Virginia’s 2025 recruiting class continued to grow with a quality pickup on Thursday, when the Cavaliers landed a commitment from a versatile 3-star linebacker from North Carolina.

UVA beat out national champion Michigan, Tennessee, Virginia Tech, North Carolina, Missouri, South Carolina, Wake Forest and a host of other schools for Justin Rowe, a 6-foot-3, 205-pound standout from The Asheville School in Asheville, N.C.

Rowe is the 10th commitment to Virginia’s Class of ‘25 and the third linebacker.

While he was recruited mostly as a linebacker, he has shown the kind of athleticism that UVA’s Tony Elliott believes Rowe can be used in a variety of roles, including a safety spot or in the Cavaliers’ nickel package. A three-sport athlete (Rowe also plays basketball and runs track), he played both ways for Asheville’s football team.

Defensively as a junior, he posted 35 tackles and recorded three interceptions, returning two for touchdowns, along with five tackles for loss and two forced fumbles. Offensively, he hauled in 28 receptions for 483 yards and five touchdowns.

On3 rates him the No. 87 linebacker in the nation and the No. 21 overall prospect in the state of North Carolina, while 247Sports ranks him at No. 89 and No. 22 respectively.