The University of Virginia recently hosted two of the most promising offensive linemen in the Class of 2027, 5 Star Football (5SFB) Recruiting 4-Star Carter Jones (6-6, 280) and 4-Star Connor Long (6-8, 350). 

Carter Jones has become a force to be reckoned with on the offensive line. With impressive mobility for his size, Jones is an effective pass and run blocker. His ability to get to the second level and make blocks in space is noteworthy. He has solid footwork and balance in pass protection with good understanding of hand placement and does a good job of using his size and leverage to his advantage in his matchups. 

Following his visit to UVA, Jones shared his excitement about the program. “I enjoyed every part of the visit,” he said. “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, and the same goes for Coach : and Coach Maverick. They’re all great people.”

The amount of intentionality the coaches showed during the visit caught the attention of Jones, “They took the time to show me everything and gave me great background information about their culture and expectations for the program,” he explained. Jones also notes the state of the art facilities Virginia can offer, “UVA really checks all of the boxes for me and I can’t wait to get back!”

Though his schedule is light for the next few months, Jones has a visit to Clemson planned for March 29. He compared the UVA visit favorably to others, adding, “They really treated me like family. It was great.” Carter currently holds 7 D1 Offers - recently picking up Wake Forest, ECU, and Virginia Tech.

Connor Long has elite size, strength, and ability to control the line of scrimmage making him a highly sought-after recruit. He has a physically imposing frame that shocks defenders at the point of attack with his bullish strength. His ability to engage and finish blocks is a consistent highlight of his game. His quickness and footwork make it near impossible for him to be bull-rushed by defenders in pass protection. 

Long was equally impressed by his experience at UVA. “My overall experience was really good,” he shared. “I had a good time meeting the coaches, communicating with the staff, and seeing what they have going on there.”

He was particularly drawn to the facilities, calling the weight room his favorite part of the visit. “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”, he said.

Long also highlighted the welcoming atmosphere and the family dynamic within the program. “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,” he said. Connor currently holds one D1 Offer to Syracuse University.

Their Recruiting Coach, Coach Isaac Hadac, says that "these are two Linemen who will be at the top of their class within the next couple of years." And, "Every coach in the nation should know about and be recruiting these guys." Coach Isaac has been able to help Carter and Connor secure multiple D1 Offers and commented, "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:

For both Jones and Long, the visit to UVA left a lasting impression. The combination of state-of-the-art facilities, a supportive coaching staff, and a strong team culture resonated with these young athletes.

Jones summed up the experience by saying, “Overall, I had a great time.” Long echoed similar sentiments, calling it “one of my best visits so far.”

With more visits and camps on their schedules, Jones and Long remain focused on finding the perfect fit for their college careers. As they weigh their options, it’s clear the University of Virginia has made a strong case for itself as a destination for elite talent.

By: Jace Dunegan
Writer - 5 Star Football