The University of Virginia football program secured a pivotal early building block for its 2026 recruiting class with the commitment of rising defensive end prospect Jaylen Morris. The 6-foot-4, 240-pound edge rusher from Charlotte, North Carolina, announced his decision via social media on Friday, becoming the Cavaliers’ first defensive line pledge for the 2026 cycle.
Morris, who stars at West Charlotte High School, chose Virginia over early interest from regional programs including NC State, South Carolina, and Wake Forest. Though still early in the recruiting process, Morris’s blend of size, length, and explosiveness off the edge has already caught the attention of scouts and college coaches alike. His junior season highlight tape, which features a series of dominant performances against top competition, reportedly helped solidify Virginia’s interest and ultimately led to a quick offer — and now, a commitment.
“I felt the love from the coaching staff from day one,” Morris said in a statement. “Coach (Chris) Slade and Coach (Tony) Elliott really believe in me and have a plan for how I can develop in their system. It feels like home.”
Virginia’s coaching staff has emphasized improving their defensive front since the start of Elliott’s tenure, and Morris fits the mold of the long, athletic edge rushers the Cavaliers have lacked in recent years. His commitment also sends a strong message to future targets about the momentum UVA is trying to build with the 2026 class.
Recruiting analysts view Morris as a high-upside prospect who could climb national rankings with continued development. He has the physical tools to be a disruptive force in the ACC, and his commitment gives Virginia an early anchor around which to build the rest of its defensive class.
Landing Morris this early also provides a boost in optics for UVA on the recruiting trail, signaling that the staff is aggressively targeting and landing talented prospects before they hit the national spotlight. As the 2026 class begins to take shape, Morris’s pledge could be the first of several key additions to come.
With Morris now in the fold, all eyes will be on how the Cavaliers capitalize on this momentum throughout the summer camp and visit circuit.