Virginia: True Freshmen To Watch in 2020

Every February (and now December) college football teams sign a new class of football players to join their program. It’s exciting to dream about what a prospect can become in the future but come September, some of those freshman will redshirt and wait for their opportunity to shine, while a few will be given the chance to make an immediate impact this season. In this series we will take a team by team look at the true freshman who could be given the opportunity to make a name for themselves in 2020. Today we will look at a few of the Virginia Cavaliers true freshmen to watch in 2020.

Joshua Rawlings – TE

Tanner Crowley was Virginia’s leading tight end in 2019 with 311 receiving yards and a touchdown but graduated after the season. The only other tight end listed on the depth chart last year was Grant Misch who had one catch as a redshirt freshman. Virginia did bring in transfer tight end Tony Poljan from Central Michigan to provide leadership in the tight end room. Poljan had 496 receiving yards and 4 TD in 2019, but there is a need for quality depth to emerge quickly. There is a good opportunity for a young tight end like Rawlings to provide that depth in 2020. With a thin depth chart at tight end and very little proven production behind Poljan, all of the elements are in place for Rawlings to get a chance this season.

Joshua Rawlings was a standout at Woodland Hills High School in Pennsylvania. He has good height and the frame to continue to bulk up at the college level. Rawlings is a solid athlete who can stretch the seams and run past linebackers. He has the size to be a big reliable target for his quarterback over the middle. He should develop into a sound blocker at the tight end position. The Cavaliers need depth at the tight end spot immediately, Rawlings can provide the depth they need while developing his game. He can be an asset in the passing game, especially in the redzone and should get some opportunities to show his ability in 2020.

Jonathan Horton – DE/OLB

Virginia’s sack leader in 2019 was Jordan Mack who accounted for 7.5 sacks on the season. All four of the team’s starting linebackers had five or more sacks and ranked in the top 4 spots on the team in sacks. Mack is gone but Charles Snowden, Noah Taylor and Zane Zandler all return giving the Cavaliers a good core of linebackers who can rush the passer. The team was reliant on the linebackers to rush the passer in 2019 and needs to continue to find quality pass rushers going forward. There is only one open linebacker spot but the team will need depth to emerge at all of the linebacker positions. Horton has all of the tools to be a pass rusher as an edge OLB and should get an opportunity to provide depth and showcase his ability in that role.

Jonathan Horton recorded 22 TFL and 14.5 sacks as a senior at Scotlandville Magnet High School in Louisiana. He has all of the tools to be an excellent pass rusher in college. Horton has good burst at the snap and good bend to beat the tackle and get to the quarterback. He pursues the football with a good motor and has the speed to chase down plays run away from him. Horton has the length to be an excellent pass rusher but will need to work on his moves and technique. Though he is still raw as a player, Horton has the athletic ability to rush the passer effectively early in his career. He should be able to provide depth and be used as a situational pass rusher for Virginia in 2020.

Elijah Gaines – S

The Cavaliers return both De’Vante Cross and Joey Blount for their senior seasons in 2020. Chris Moore was the other key player at safety last season but he has left the program and transferred to Georgia State. The only other safety with notable playing time in 2019 was sophomore to be Tenyeh Dixon who had 3 tackles on the season. Though the Cavaliers are returning two starters there is a lack of proven depth at the safety position. Even if DIxon makes a leap forward in 2020, Virginia will need another safety to step up and provide good depth. Gaines is a quality football player who should be able to capitalize on the opportunity and earn playing time in 2020.

Elijah Gaines intercepted four passes as a senior at Episcopal High School in Virginia. He is a tall defensive back with good length who should excel as a safety. Gaines is a physical football player who likes to deliver a big hit. He has the ability to take on blockers and continue to pursue the football through traffic. His short area quickness and length help him react to make plays on passes thrown in front of him. Gaines has some versatility and could play the nickel position if needed, or even as a coverage linebacker at times. His talent and versatility will get him playing time as a reserve during his true freshman season. With both safeties graduating after the season it would behoove Virginia to groom a player like Gaines for the future.

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Scott Stadium at UVA image taken by terren in Virginia is licensed under CC BY 2.0.