Oscar Smith junior quarterback Lonnie Andrews III was in Charlottesville on Saturday to see Virginia come from behind to beat Washington State.
Virginia also won off the field, as Andrews publicly announced he had committed to the No. 16 Cavaliers via X.
“I actually committed Oct. 1, but I didn’t announce it to the world until (Saturday),” he said. “When I committed, it just felt like the right place to be, knowing that they have been doing so well.”
Andrews, who was first-team All-Tidewater last season after he helped lead the Tigers to the Class 6 state title, said he likes what’s going on at Virginia under Cavaliers coach Tony Elliott.
“The coaching staff has been showing me a lot of love, talking to me just about every day,” he said. “I like the program that they’re building behind Coach Elliott. And it’s not too far from home. It’s just the right decision for me.”
Andrews, 6 feet and 200 pounds, has more than 15 offers, including Virginia Tech, Syracuse, Boston College, Old Dominion, Connecticut, James Madison, Liberty and South Florida.
A three-star recruit, he is rated the No. 8 junior in the state for the Class of 2027 and the No. 30 quarterback in the nation by Rivals. He is rated No. 14 in the state and the No. 42 quarterback in the nation by 247Sports.
With his commitment behind, Andrews can now focus on leading the Tigers to a second consecutive Southeastern District title this week, and a state title in December.
“It takes a lot of weight off my shoulders,” said Andrews, who has thrown for more than 1,300 yards and 16 touchdowns. “I don’t have to think about stuff like that, knowing that I have a home where I’m going to be able to go to. It feels great. The coaching staff has been talking to me about that, too. They’re on the rise right now, and I’m not going to do anything but come in and just help the team even higher. It’s very exciting.”
Andrews also thought about his late father after he committed.
In the summer of 2008, Lonnie Andrews Jr. was shot and killed at a party just weeks before he was to head to Virginia State on a football scholarship. After his death, the Tigers retired his No. 26 jersey.
“With my dad, ever since the commitment, my family has just been real comforting,” he said. “That was one of the things on my mind was how my dad would feel. My family has been telling me he would be real proud of me, and to just keep striving to be better and better. That’s been one of the real things on my mind.”
Larry Rubama, 757-575-6449, larry.rubama@pilotonline.com
