UVA hosted two of the best offensive linemen in the 2027 class. Both left impressed.
The University of Virginia hosted two of the most promising offensive linemen in the Class of 2027 — Carter Jones (6-6, 280) and Connor Long (6-8, 350), both graded 4-star by 5 Star Football Recruiting.
Carter Jones
Jones has impressive mobility for his size and blocks effectively in both the run and pass game. Getting to the second level and finding work in space is the standout trait. In protection he has solid footwork and balance, understands hand placement, and uses his size and leverage well in a matchup.
“I enjoyed every part of the visit. What stood out the most to me was the character and the positivity of all the coaches. Coach Heffernan and Coach Elliott really treated me like family … They’re all great people.”
“They took the time to show me everything and gave me great background information about their culture and expectations for the program. UVA really checks all of the boxes for me and I can’t wait to get back!”
At the time Jones held seven D1 offers, having recently added Wake Forest, ECU and Virginia Tech — and he had a visit to Clemson booked for 29 March.
Connor Long
Long’s size, strength and control of the line of scrimmage are what make him sought after. He has a physically imposing frame that shocks defenders at the point of attack, and engaging and finishing blocks is a consistent highlight. His quickness and footwork make him very hard to bull-rush in protection.
“My overall experience was really good. I had a good time meeting the coaches, communicating with the staff, and seeing what they have going on there.”
The weight room was his favourite part of the trip.
“It’s 14,000 square feet and has every piece of equipment you can think of. They really pay attention to detail, and everything there is very advanced.”
“As soon as I got there, it felt like they had a family going on. All the recruits had smiles on their faces, including me, and there were many alumni there from years ago. It was pretty cool hearing what they had to say.”
Long held one D1 offer at the time, from Syracuse.
What their recruiting coach said
“These are two linemen who will be at the top of their class within the next couple of years. Every coach in the nation should know about and be recruiting these guys.”
“It’s easy to help guys get opportunities who are not only notable by their on-field performance and size, but also on their maturity and personality off the field. They go on visits and it’s a no-brainer for college coaches.”
Lasting impressions
Jones: “Overall, I had a great time.” Long called it “one of my best visits so far.”