Virginia Cavaliers Commitment Interview with 2017 RB Jamari Peacock
Please help keep RecruitingNewsGuru.com FREE!
If RNG has helped you, a friend, or a family member through an article, video, or stylized interview with our countless hours of free promotion for high school, junior college, and college athletes – please donate. Any amount is appreciated!
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @HogManInLA
On Monday, Virginia head coach Bronco Mendenhall added a key piece to his 2017 recruiting class out of Florida landing running back Jamari Peacock. Although widely ranked as a three-star recruit, Peacock is a top talent who should make an immediate impact for the Cavaliers once on campus.
Peacock’s game has continued a sharp rising upward trend since his sophomore season when he rushed for 777 yards off 145 carries with 14 touchdowns. In 2015, Peacock pounded away against 5A competition helping Yulee High School to a 6-4 season. Peacock ended the year with 1,239 yards off 169 carries with 16 touchdowns on the ground.
This season, the Hornets are 7-3 entering the playoffs with a full head of steam. The Hornets have won four of their last five games with a two-game winning streak over Suwannee (15-14) and Fernandina Beach (35-12). The 6-0, 230 pound, bruising back has rushed for 1,669 yards with 29 touchdowns on the ground sporting a 7.4 yard per carry average in 10 games played.
In a previous RNG interview, Peacock announced his Top 3 naming Louisville, Virginia, and Nebraska, in no order, his favorites cutting out Florida State and Georgia Southern from his Top 5.
The Cavs now have 21 verbal commits to their 2017 recruiting class with Peacock’s commitment. First-year running backs coach Mark Atuaia has brought a new enthusiasm to the Cavaliers program, especially on the recruiting trail. The Cavs already have verbal commitments from backs PK Kier (Winchester, VA) and Lamont Atkins (Burke, VA). With Peacock, Kier, and Atkins, the staff has placed an importance on highly skilled playmakers in the backfield ready to topple tough ACC competition.
Cavalier fans are getting the full package with Peacock. He is a big back who can move and run with power. His 40-yard dash time is in the 4.6 range. His physical strength is beyond that of a normal high school senior with a reported bench max at 375, squat at 525, and power clean at 325.
Peacock was in the neighborhood for 20 offers when he committed to the Cavs. In a Recruiting News Guru interview, I sat down with Peacock to get the inside scoop on why he picked Virginia over other top programs to offer and got a quick overview on his senior season to date.
Interview
Jamari, first, congratulations on your commitment to Virginia.
“Thank you.”
Before we start on that, how is your senior season going so far?
“It’s good. We got a first round playoff spot on Friday against Ponte Vedra. We are focused on that game to get to the second round.”
The Hornets are on a two-game winning streaking beating Suwannee and Fernandina Beach, how is the team looking going into the playoffs?
“Yeah, we are looking sharp. They (coaches) have me doing more things on offense, lining me up in different spots forcing the defense to find me and adjust.”
What kind of challenge will Ponte Vedra (9-0) bring in the first round of the playoffs?
“For the team, they have the leading passer in the area. Their quarterback (Nick Tronti) is a D-I QB. I think he is leading the area in passing stats, yards, TDs, etc… He’s a good QB. Their defense, they run the same stuff we’ve been seeing all season. Four down linemen, an extra linebacker in the box to stop our run. We have plans for that. We’re looking to get key blocks to open up holes for the run game on Friday.”
Let’s cover your commitment. Your Top 3 was Louisville, Virginia, and Nebraska, did you take any official visits other than the one to Virginia?
“No, just to Virginia.”
How did you narrow down your Top 3?
“I narrowed it down by who wanted me more. At the end of the day that was Virginia.”
What all did you do on your Virginia visit?
“I talked with the entire staff. We went out to eat with their families. We went to coaches’ (Bronco Mendenhall) house and rode horses. I had a great time.”
Which game did you see while visiting the Cavs?
“Pitt.”
What else influenced you to commit Virginia?
“The new members of the coaching staff bringing in a new tradition for the program. I feel like we can do big things there.”
How did the commitment take place?
“After my visit, I knew that is where I wanted to go. It took me time to get all my paperwork together and for the schools to figure out everything. Once everything cleared, I knew it was time to announce.”
How did you commit? Was it a phone call, text, FaceTime, something like that?
“Phone call.”
What was the reaction of the coaches?
“They were very excited. I think they had a feeling I was going there. They kept talking to me until I committed.”
How did you feel at that moment when you verbally committed?
“I’m ready to get down there in January to get down to business.”
Do you still plan to take your visits during your senior season?
“No, sir.”
Do you plan on recruiting other players to join you?
“They have not given me that responsibility. If they want me to, I’ll do that. For now they have not put me on anybody.”
Jamari, thanks for your time today, and, again, congratulations on your commitment to Virginia.
“Thank you.”
Photo credit: Peacock family; Jamari Peacock (left) at Scott Stadium.
Photo credit: Peacock family; Jamari Peacock (left center) at Mendenhall’s house.