By Alex McLachlan
This week, during the initial recruiting flurry for the 2019 class, two European prospects have committed to the University of Virginia.
Gargantuan lineman Kariem Al Soufi, who played domestically for the Paderborn Dolphins, has garnered a lot of interest this recruiting cycle, receiving offers from the lines of national finalists the Georgia Bulldogs, and Ohio State. At 6’3 and weighing in at an incredible 334lbs, the big man displayed impressive mobility, which led the Cavaliers to extend an offer to him. In a statement, Al Soufi pointed to the support and familiarity he felt at Virginia, saying that Coach Mendenhall give him ‘the exact same feeling that I always had with my old team’.
Adding to this sense of familiarity will undoubtedly be his Dolphins teammate, and fellow Virginia commit, Luke Wentz. Wentz has prototypical size for the Quarterback position, measuring in at 6’3 and 210lbs, which undoubtedly enticed the Cavaliers. With his commitment, Wentz makes history as the first ever German born and developed QB prospect to commit to a Power 5 School.
We are excited to see what the future holds for these two young men, and await to see whether this will set a trend of European players being recruited!