Football recruiting rankings: Top Virginia high school football recruits in 2027 class
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Football in Virginia is a high priority, whether at the college or high school level.
While the college scene is in a bit of flux with some programs in a rebuild and others trying to take a step forward, what isn't taking a step back is the talent at the high school level.
The last few years have seen some high-end talent come out of the state, and this year's class is headlined by a prospect ranked as a top-40 recruit nationally.
Here's a look at the top 10 players from the Old Dominion State in the 2027 class.
1. Chris Whitehead, Lloyd C. Bird (Chesterfield)
Position: EDGE
Height: 6-4.5
Weight: 230
Commitment: Uncommitted
Football recruiting notes: Whitehead is regarded by most as one of the best and most complete players in the country. A two-way standout, he'll likely play on defense in college and showed that potential last year totaling 54 tackles, 23 tackles for loss, 10.5 sacks and three forced fumbles.
2. Elijah Hutcheson, North Cross School (Roanoke)
Position: Offensive Tackle
Height: 6-5
Weight: 275
Commitment: Florida
Football recruiting notes: Hutcheson transferred to North Cross after a nice career at Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School (GA). Florida made him a priority to pair alongside Maxwell Hiller and landed his commitment on May 5.
3. Noah Glover, Battlefield (Haymarket)
Position: Linebacker
Height: 6-1
Weight: 205
Commitment: Uncommitted
Football recruiting notes: Glover is in the midst of what appears to be a three-team battle for his commitment. He'll be on official visits this summer to Miami (May 29), Georgia (June 5) and Texas A&M (June 12).
4. Junior Saunders, Woodberry Forest
Position: Offensive Tackle
Height: 6-6
Weight: 270
Commitment: Uncommitted
Football recruiting notes: James Franklin and Virginia Tech have made it a priority to keep Saunders in-state, but it won't come easily. Alongside an official visit to Blacksburg on June 5, he'll also visit Virginia on May 29 and South Carolina on June 19.
5. Kenaz Sullivan, The St. James Academy (Springfield)
Position: Safety
Height: 6-1
Weight: 190
Commitment: Uncommitted
Football recruiting notes: Sullivan comes to The St. James Academy from North Strafford (VA). His official visit schedule includes stops at Indiana (April 24) and South Carolina (May 1), with Tennessee (June 5) and Ohio State (June 12) ahead.
6. Iveon Lewis, Huguenot (Richmond)
Position: Wide Receiver
Height: 6-2
Weight: 185
Commitment: Kentucky
Football recruiting notes: In what appeared to be a recruitment to be South Carolina for, Kentucky did just that. Lewis committed to the Wildcats and WIll Stein on May 9.
7. Q'Mari Hudson, Western Branch (Chesapeake)
Position: Offensive Tackle
Height: 6-5
Weight: 300
Commitment: Uncommitted
Football recruiting notes: Hudson will be a big force up front for whatever team he ends up with, and that decision is set to come on July 25. Aside from an unofficial visit to Tennessee on June 19, he has official visits scheduled to Virginia Tech (May 29), Virginia (June 5) and Syracuse (June 12).
8. Brody McNeel, Mills Godwin (Richmond)
Position: Offensive Tackle
Height: 6-5
Weight: 285
Commitment: Ohio State
Football recruiting notes: McNeel was one of Ohio State's earliest 2027 pledges when he committed to the Buckeyes last November. He chose the Buckeyes over Penn State, Virginia, Virginia Tech and others thanks to his relationship with Ohio State Offensive Line Coach Tyler Bowen.
9. Sam Faniel, Benedictine (Richmond)
Position: Tight End
Height: 6-5
Weight: 215
Commitment: Uncommitted
Football recruiting notes: Faniel's a big tight end with no shortage of options for where he'll play at the next level. That's apparent from his official visit schedule, as he'll take trips to Arizona State (April 17), Virginia Tech (May 29), Florida State (June 5), Texas A&M (June 12), and Alabama (June 19).
10. Carter Jones, Poquoson
Position: Interior Offensive Lineman
Height: 6-5.5
Weight: 291
Commitment: Uncommitted
Football recruiting notes: Jones' busy summer actually began in April with official visits to Penn State (April 10), Georgia (April 17) and Virginia Tech (April 24). He'll pick back up his travel schedule with trips to Clemson (May 29) and Tennessee (June 5).
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Virginia's top 2027 HS football recruiting rankings list revealed
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