ESPN.com - Recruits take notice of Blanding pledge

ESPN.com: College Football Rumors

Wednesday, March 6, 2013
Recruits take notice of Blanding pledge

By Brent Sobleski

Virginia recruiting may have reached a turning point the moment highly touted in-state product Quin Blanding (Virginia Beach/Bayside) verbally committed to the Cavaliers last week. Other recruits may now give Virginia serious consideration to play alongside Blanding.

The Cavaliers may have gained the most ground with ESPN Watch List wide receiver Jamil Kamara (Norfolk, Va./Lake Taylor) once Blanding committed.

"It gives them a big boost," Kamara told Justin Rowland of CavsCorner.com. "Like I've said, we're good friends. We're both 2014 and to have a good player like that going there, it helps a lot."

Kamara isn't the only recruit that could be swayed by a friendship with Blanding.

"We are good friends so he may start doing some heavy recruiting," ESPN Watch List cornerback D'Andre Payne (Washington D.C./Friendship Collegiate Academy) told Ben Franklin of CavsCorner.com.

Another simply took notice that a top talent choose Virginia.

"...that's a huge win for (Virginia). It shows me that they will have talent there," Offensive tackle Steven Moss (Fredericksburg, Va./Chancellor) said.

The most important aspect of Blanding's commitment is Virginia's renewed ability to compete for top in-state talent:

Dave Hooker

Blanding's pledge a strong start for Cavs

"Virginia has more to sell than (head coach Mike) London. A top university, the educational offerings will lure prospects. Virginia is also the state school, even if it seemed Virginia Tech took that spot with its recent football success.

That success, however, is fading into the past. Long gone are Michael Vick and a national championship appearance. The distance between the two programs doesn't seem that far any longer. Virginia was 4-8 last season in an obvious rebuilding year. Tech was 7-6 and barely beat the Cavs, 17-14.

Recruiting wasn't quite as close. Tech finished the year ranked No. 20 in the nation. Virginia was No. 34. Blanding will help the Cavs close the gap."