Virginia signs a 14-player class, including 6 (7) in-state

By Jerry Ratcliffe

My how National Signing Day has changed over the last decade for college football.

Tony Elliott and his staff were swapping signing day stories Wednesday morning about the days of sitting by the fax machine, sweating out every player that confirmed their commitment and the dismay of a last-minute flip.

Carroll McCrae, former head coach at Austin Peay and Gardner-Webb and now director of player development and senior advisor to Elliott, reminded the coaches in the room about the good ol’ days, maybe bad ol’ days when coaches used to sit outside a prospect’s house, with three other cars parked out front, waiting for the lights in the house to come on and then the race to be the first one knocking at the front door.

The transfer portal has changed all that. Coaches know that if they sign a small recruiting class of high school players, there’s always the portal. Maybe it’s a little different for the traditional powerhouse programs, but for the rest of the college world, that’s the world they now live in.

Elliott welcomed 14 signees to the Orange & Blue on Wednesday, losing one commitment (Josiah Teasley flipped to Maryland on Tuesday), but was pleased with his class.

“I’m really excited about the 14 that we have, with seven of them that’ll be here in January (early enrollees),” Elliott said. “I think that’s the largest number we’ve had as a staff.”

The coach said because of the portal and other changes in college football, it’s more difficult to compute the right balance between high school signees and veterans from the portal.

“I believe three years ago, I had a picture in my mind of what the breakdown would be between high school and portal guys,” Elliott said. “That has been adjusted.”

Virginia signed six players from within the state’s borders, and seven if you count the DMV, which Elliott does.

“I want to treat the DMV like it’s in-state,” the coach said. “Unfortunately, we lost one from the DMV, so we potentially had eight in this class from that kind of in-state area that we’re recruiting. But I’m pleased with the direction that we’re headed. We were in on a lot of other guys from the state of Virginia and I think we made kind of the final cut with some of the top guys from the area, so I feel better about those conversations.”

While Elliott was pleased with the class, the national recruiting services were not impressed. The small size of the class may have hurt UVA’s rankings on the national scene.

Still, all the major services rated Virginia’s effort as dead last among all 17 ACC programs. On3.com ranked UVA No. 88 in the nation, while 247Sports rated the class No. 92 and ESPN didn’t include the Cavaliers in its top 75 classes.

One of the exciting facts about this class was making a breakthrough in the Richmond area, signing wide receiver Damari Carter of Varina High School, and defensive tackle Bull Richardson, also from Varina.

“You see the impact of the guys from the Richmond area,” Elliott said. “Ethan Minter, Isaiah Robinson, Montino Williams, then you’ve got two more coming.”

Elliott hopes that Virginia can continue to mine talent from that region as well as the talent-rich 757 and Northern Virginia.

“The reception (around the state) is a lot different than day one for the staff back when we took over,” the coach said. “Each year we’ve made progress with building those relationships and then also showing the end product. I think that’s the biggest thing.

“You can work as hard as you want building those relationships with the folks at the school, but until you can put the product on the field so that young men, when they come, they can see it, they can touch it, they can feel it. I think you’re seeing now where we got a little bit more to sell than just a vision. It’s really coming to life, so I’m excited about the six (in-state players) we have.”

The seven planned early enrollees, who will be in Charlottesville next month are: the class’s lone quarterback, Ely Hamrick of Shelby, N.C.; athlete Jae’Oyn Williams, who will get a shot at quarterback, but could move to running back, out of Woodbridge; wide receiver Dylan Cope from Trussville, Ala.; Dylan Biehl, and offensive lineman from Suwanee, Ga.; offensive lineman Mikey Gildea of New Canaan, Conn.; Dallas Brannon, linebacker, Charlotte, N.C.; and Jayden Covil, a defensive back out of Oscar Smith High in Chesapeake (see complete list of players at the end of the article).

Derek Uran, a linebacker from Cincinnati, is the highest-rated player in the class.

“Fast, violent and plays everywhere,” Elliott said of Uran. “He’s a heat-seeking missile. He’s got a skill set where he can play your field safety, but he’s also got the toughness and the pedigree to play in the box if you need him to.

“So he is just a very versatile athlete that when you see him on film, he just pops. It’s like, whoa, this kid plays fast and he’s violent. Then, you get to meet him and you can see, man, he’s a football player. He loves the game. He’ll do whatever we ask him to do. Coming from a really good program that had a really good season.”

LATER TODAY: Elliott gives some of his insights on various players in the class, including the quarterback and receivers

HIGH SCHOOL SIGNEES

OL Dylan Biehl* (6-4, 275); Suwanee, Ga. (Lambert)
LB Dallas Brannon* (6-2, 205); Charlotte, N.C. (Independence)
WR Damari Carter (6-2, 200); Richmond, Va. (Varina)
WR Dylan Cope* (6-3, 190); Trussville, Ala. (Hewitt Trussville)
DB Jayden Covil* (5-11, 165); Chesapeake, Va. (Oscar Smith)
DB Alex Dunn (6-0, 180); Roanoke, Va. (Rustburg)
OL Mikey Gildea* (6-6, 290); New Canaan, Conn. (The Hun School – N.J.)
QB Eli Hamrick* (6-5, 220); Shelby, N.C. (Crest)
CB Isaiah Harris (6-1, 180); Charlottesville, Va. (Thomas Jefferson)
OL Luke Hatfield (6-4, 285); Haymarket, Va. (Battlefield)
WR Jack Rhodes (6-1, 175); Augusta, Ga. (Aquinas)
DT Bull Richardson (6-1, 300); Richmond, Va. (Varina)
LB Derek Uran (6-2, 205); Cincinnati, Ohio (Elder)
ATH Jae’Oyn Williams* (5-10, 210); Woodbridge, Va. (St. Frances Academy)

*— Early enrollee

MEET THE HIGH SCHOOL SIGNEES

Courtesy UVA Media Relations

Dylan Biehl

LAMBERT HIGH SCHOOL
Played football for Marc Beach at Lambert HS … three-year starter for the Longhorns … Played left tackle for the No. 1 passing offense in GHSA in AAAAAA in 2025 … First Team All-Region selection in 2024 & 2025 after garnering Second Team All-Region honors as a sophomore in 2023 … named a team captain his senior year and was a four-year member of the football leadership council … protected the blindside for QB Ethan Daughtery who led the state of Georgia in passing yards and broke the school’s career passing record …recognized as the 2024 Forsyth County Offensive Lineman of the Year by Forsyth Sports … earned Second Team All-State honors in 2024 … played in the Georgia Athletic Coaches Association (GACA) All-Star game in 2023 and 2024 … also a participant in the Georgia Elite Classic … three-star recruit according to 247Sports, ESPN, Rivals.

PERSONAL
Born in Newport Beach, Calif. … Son of Zach and Denise Biehl … has an older sister Dalby … member of the National Honor Society and was the Spirit Commissioner of the Lambert Student Council … received the Lambert Outstanding Citizen award twice …his father Zach played baseball at Cal State Fullerton and his paternal grandfather played football at Whittier College … enjoys golf, going to the gym, hiking/walking, history, reading fiction novels, going on roller coasters, and watching baseball … intends on majoring in Public Policy at UVA.

Dallas Brannon

INDEPENDENCE HIGH SCHOOL
Played for Darryl “DJ” McFadden at Independence HS … played in the state playoffs each of his four seasons and went a combined 42-11 in four prep seasons … Three-time All-Conference selection (2023-25) … recipient of the 2025 Luke Kuechly High School Defensive Player of the Year Award presented by The Bronko Nagurski and Charlotte Touchdown Club … nominated for the 2025 Jimmy Lee Kirkpatrick Award given annually to a senior football player from Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools who excels on the field while making an impact in their community … finalist for The 2025 Friday Night Lights Charlotte Football Award … compiled 108 tackles (79 solo) with 11 TFLs, 3 sacks, a blocked punt, three forced fumbles and had two fumble recoveries on defense in his senior season … named the 2024 Southwestern 4A Defensive Player of the Year … three-year captain (2023-25) … selected to play in the 2025 Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas … Charlotte Observer First Team All-Region selection as a junior … received 31 Division I offers in high school … three-star recruit according to 247Sports, ESPN and Rivals.

PERSONAL
Born and raised in Charlotte, N.C. … Son of Robert and Gabrielle Brannon … his father Robert played tight end at Georgia (2000-03) and mother Gabrielle was a member of the bowling team at Johnson C. Smith University … academically he ranked No. 10 in his graduating class of 479 at Independence … member of the Rho Kapp National Honors Society … served as the Editor and co-Editor in chief of the Yearbook committee … was casted in the school musical “Grease” his junior year … off the field enjoys making music beats, writing poetry, watching movies, hanging with friends and reading books.

Damari Carter

VARINA HIGH SCHOOL
Played for Marcus Lewis at Varina High School … helped the Blue Devils to a 12-2 record as a junior in 2024 and a runner-up finish in the Class A state championship … First Team All-State and First Team All-Metro as a junior in 2024 … also an All-Region selection in basketball … three star recruit according to 247Sports, ESPN and Rivals.

Dylan Cope

HEWITT TRUSSVILLE HIGH SCHOOL
Played for Josh Floyd at Hewitt Trussville … amassed 132 receptions, 1,809 yards receiving and 17 touchdown receptions in his final three seasons for the Huskies … invited to play in the 2025 Alabama/Mississippi All-Star game … caught 51 passes for 905 yards and had nine touchdown receptions as a senior … listed on the 2024 Cahaba Sun All-South Metro Team … included on the 2024 7A Region 3 All-Region team … 2024 al.com Birmingham news All-Region team … 2024 All Turbine team

PERSONAL
Born in Birmingham, Ala. … Son of Demonz and Sharetta Cope … has one older sister, Dajeh … intends on majoring in Sports Medicine at UVA.

Jayden Covil

OSCAR SMITH HIGH SCHOOL
Played for Chris Scott at Oscar Smith HS … member of the 2024 Class 6 State Championship team that finished a perfect 15-0 … an honor roll student all four years … three star recruit according to 247Sports, ESPN and Rivals … No. 29 overall recruit in Virginia according to 247Sports.

PERSONAL
Born in Portsmouth, Va. … Son of Sherrod and Brandi Covil … Has three siblings, Naiyah, Sherrod Jr. and Maliyah … his brother Sherrod played football at Clemson from 2022-24 before transferring to Virginia Tech in 2024.

Alex Dunn

RUSTBURG HIGH SCHOOL
A two-sport athlete at Rustburg, competing on the football and track teams … four-time letterwinner on the football team and a captain his senior year … as a junior was a First Team All-Region 3C selection … garnered All-Seminole District First Team honors at defensive back and honorable mention as a kick returner as a junior … as a freshman was a second Team All-Blue Ridge District wide receiver and first team kick returner … earned First Team All-Region 3D as a kick returner … three-star recruit according to 247Sports, ESPN and Rivals … No. 18 player in the Virginia according to 247 sports … a two-time state champion in track (2024 Team Title & 4x100m Relay) … 2024 Adidas National Elite Champion (400mH -56.12) … three-time Region Champion (55mH, 110mH, 300mH) … six-time District Champion (300m, 200m, 110mH Twice, 300mH Twice) .. six time All-State (4x100mR, 55mH, 110mH Twice, 300mH Twice) … seven-time School Record Holder (55mH – 7.52 / 60mH – 8.18 / 110mH – 14.09 / 300mH – 37.77 / 400mH – 56.12 / 4x100mR – 41.75 / 4x400mR – 3:29.33) .. three-time National Qualifier … six time State Qualifier …

PERSONAL
Born in Wilmington, Del. … Son of Jason and Corinna Dunn … second youngest of seven children … older brother Jason played wide receiver at Ferrum College and older brother Jalen was a point guard on the Point Park University basketball team … off the field likes to make to make songs, play video games, build legos, work on flipping, read the bible and make tiktoks … intends on majoring in Psychology.

Mikey Gildea

THE HUN SCHOOL (N.J.)
Four-year letterwinner and three-year starter for Todd Smith at The Hun School in Princeton, N.J. … went 34-6 over the course of four year career with the Raiders … served as a team captain … three-time All-New Jersey Prep Team … two-year All-League … three-time All-Area selection … The Hun School was ranked the No. 4 team in the state of New Jersey in the final Massey Rankings … three-star athlete according to 247Sports, ESPN and Rivals …

PERSONAL
Born in Stamford, Conn. … Son of Erin Gildea … off the field his interests include fishing, golf, lifting and video games … intends on majoring in Business at UVA.

Eli Hamrick

PREP
Three-star recruit according to 247Sports, ESPN and Rivals … began his prep career at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla. where he spent two years on the Varsity White team. In his sophomore season, he led IMG White to a 9-1 record and a Sunshine State Independent Association state title, throwing for 1,244 yards on 59% completion with 18 touchdowns and no interceptions … transferred to A.C. Reynolds after his family moved from Big Sky, Montana to Asheville, N.C. … after Hurricane Helene hit western North Carolina, transferred to Crest High School, his father’s alma mater, midway through his junior year … has led Crest to the final four of the NCHSAA 5A Football Championship as a senior.

PERSONAL
Born in Charlotte, N.C. … son of Ryan and Scarlet Hamrick … has two younger sisters Sadie Rose and Posey … his dad Ryan played wide receiver at NC State … of the field enjoys skiing, wake surfing, boating and video games … intends on majoring in Civil Engineering at UVA.

Isaiah Harris

HIGH SCHOOL
Three-star prospect according to 247Sports and Rivals … No. 39 prospect in the state of Virginia according to 247Sports … Played for head coach Eric Harris at Thomas Jefferson High School … First-team All-Region at wide receiver and defensive back … Prior to enrolling at Thomas Jefferson, attended Albemarle High School in Charlottesville … First Team All-Jefferson District in football … Jefferson District Class 4/5 Player of the Year in basketball … Also second-team all-state and first-team all-region in basketball … Competed for the Patriots’ track & field team … Earned all-region honors in track & field and qualified for the state meet.

PERSONAL
Son of Tiffany and Jerome Harris … Has two younger brothers, Elijah and Jeremiah … Born in Charlottesville … Also had offers from James Madison, Old Dominion and Virginia Tech.

Luke Hatfield

BATTLEFIELD HIGH SCHOOL
Three-star prospect according to 247Sports, ESPN and Rivals … No. 34 prospect in the state of Virginia according to 247Sports … His father Greg Hatfield was his head coach at Battlefield High School … Guided the Bobcats to the No. 2 seed in the state playoffs and an appearance Class 6 Region B semifinal game … Compiled a 43-5 record in four years at Battlefield … Cedar Run District Offensive Player of the Year his senior year (2025) … First lineman from a Prince William County high school to be named a district offensive player of the year since 2021 … Two-time all-state selection … Three-time all-region and all-district selection (2023-25).

PERSONAL
Son of Greg and Susie Hatfield … Has three older sisters, Emily, Sarah and Hailey, and one brother, Brock … Father Greg played football at Hampton Sydney … Sister Sarah played field hockey at Towson … Sister Hailey plays field hockey at Mercyhurst … Earned honor roll every year and was member of the national honor society … Enjoys hunting, fishing and spending time outside … Intends to major in business.

Jack Rhodes

AQUINAS
Three-star prospect according to 247Sports and Rivals … No. 26 wide receiver in the state of Georgia, according to 247 Sports … Played for head coach James Leonard … Four-time first team all-state … Four-time first team all-region … Surpassed 1,000 receiving yards in both his sophomore (2023) and junior (2024) campaigns … Recorded 57 receptions for 1,084 yards and 16 touchdowns as a junior … Played quarterback as a freshman and passed for 1,273 yards along with nine touchdowns.

PERSONAL
Son of Brian and Therese Rhodes … Has three younger siblings, Lee, Frannie and Birdie … Spent time in the community at the Boys and Girls Club and Via Cognitive of Health.

Bull Richardson

VARINA HIGH SCHOOL
Played for Marcus Lewis at Varina High School … helped the Blue Devils to a 12-2 record as a junior in 2024 and a runner-up finish in the state championship … named the 2024 Class 4 State 2024 Defensive Player of the Year, the 2024 VHSL Player of the Year and the 2024 Richmond Times Dispatch Metro Defensive Player of the Year after finishing with 70 tackles, 21 TFL, 15 sacks and a safety … three-star recruit according to 247Sports, ESPN and Rivals … the No. 27 player in the Commonwealth of Virginia according to 247Sports.

PERSONAL
Born and raised in Richmond, Va. … son of Jevion and Kristal Richardson .. has three younger siblings – Khayevion Richardson, LHay’Moni and Mahkynzie … intends on majoring in Sports Medicine at UVA.

Derek Uran

ELDER HIGH SCHOOL
Played for head coach Doug Ramsey at Elder High School … 2025 Greater Catholic League (GCL) Defensive Player of the Year … 2025 All-District Defensive Player of the Year … First Team All-GCL (2025) … First Team All-District (2025) … Totaled 105 tackles, including 23.5 for loss and 9.5 sacks, during his senior campaign (2025) … Also a standout track & field athlete … Placed the in the state meet in the 110-meter hurdles … Set school records in both the 110mH and as a member of Panthers’4x100m relay … Regional and district champion in the 110mH.

PERSONAL
Son of Angela and Chris Uran … Has three siblings, older brother Jarred, older sister Alana and younger brother Graham … Older brother Jarred played football at Akron … Enjoys working out, hanging out with friends and playing video games.

Jae’Oyn Williams

SAINT FRANCES ACADEMY
Three-star prospect according to 247Sports, ESPN and Rivals … No. 35 overall prospect in the state of Maryland according to 247Sports … Played for head coach Messay Hailemariam at Saint Frances Academy … Helped Saint Frances to a 9-1 record and appearance in the first-ever Overtime Nationals High School Football Championship … All-State second-team selection at quarterback as a junior (2024) … Passed for 146 yards and a touchdown and rushed for 95 yards and a score to help Saint Frances defeat IMG Academy (Fla.) … Also passed for three touchdowns in a win over the Hun School (N.J.).

PERSONAL
Set to enroll at UVA in January … Enjoys hanging out with friends, bowling, arcades and listening to music.