These 2027 Virginia Recruits Are Having Monster Senior Seasons

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Today, we're taking a quick look at four seniors who've been dominating over the first part of the 2026 season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1206167"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6abaff447573d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Ilan Ervin continues to be an absolute force along the interior defensive line for Battlefield in 2026, and it's not hard to see why so many colleges are after him right now. He's incredibly athletic (can dunk a basketball at just under 6'2"), and he's built like a tank.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>His most sought-after quality is his power, as he's undoubtedly one of the top bull rushers in the state. Very few offensive linemen have been able to anchor against him this year, and it's allowed Ervin to consistently live in opponents' backfield.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ilan Ervin has strung together a couple of nice games with multiple TFLs, and he's been working on his pass-rushing technique as well. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ervin has definitely been a steady riser this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["402761"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6abaff44757b8"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='402761' first='Darren' last='Williams'] has been a nightmare for opposing defenses since the moment he stepped on the field for SJA this year. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He has a unique blend of size and speed that's very hard to find at the prep level. The fact that he already runs a sub-4.5s 40-yard dash at close to 215 lbs. is insane. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Williams runs much "lighter" than he is, and he's a very versatile ball carrier when it comes to the types of schemes that he can be successful in at the college level. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1311687"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6abaff4475827"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1311687' first='Owen' last='Neal'] puts up video game numbers every week, and nobody's been able to stop him yet. He had tons of hype heading into his senior season after impressing at a plethora of recruiting camps this summer, and so far he hasn't disappointed. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He's a threat to score on any snap both as a passer and runner, and he continues to be one of the most exciting offensive players to watch in 2026. Neal's already scored over 20 total touchdowns this year and he's had multiple 4+ touchdown games this season already.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Though he still isn't getting as much recognition as he should be, Neal is without a doubt one of the top dual-threat QBs in the state of Virginia.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1311473"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6abaff4475874"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1311473' first='Trey' last='Cherry'] was very good as a junior in 2025, and he's undoubtedly carried that success over to his senior season, at least so far. He's been playing as a true linebacker for Trinity Episcopal in 2026 after seeing time at both LB and S last fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Through the first four games of 2026, he's combined for 41 tackles, 8 TFL, 4 PBU, 1 INT, and 1 sack. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cherry has above-average movement skills at the second level and he moves around the field like a defensive back. He's consistently able to juke around and shed blockers at the point of attack, and he doesn't get fooled by play action often.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He's definitely a player for higher-level college coaches to keep an eye on over the second half of the season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->