Signing Day 2014: M. Biesemier

Signee: Michael Biesemier

Defensive end, Virginia Episcopal

6-foot-4, 235 pounds

Rankings:Two-star (5.4)

Other offers: In addition to UVa, Biesemier also held an offer from James Madison.

How he chose UVa: Biesemier decommitted from James Madison after its head coach Mickey Matthews was dismissed at season's end. Virginia offered Biesemier in early December and he eventually decided to commit to the Cavaliers. UVa had shown interest in the All-State standout earlier in the recruiting process but he didn't have an offer and chose JMU. Coupling the coaching change in Harrisonburg with the new offer from the Cavaliers was enough to get Biesemier to reconsider his options and eventually give his pledge to Mike London.

Biesemier is the first player from the Lynchburg area to sign with Virginia since quarterback Michael Rocco did so in 2010. He was recruited to Virginia by Lynchburg native Anthony Poindexter, who has since moved on to be the co-defensive coordinator at UConn. Though Biesemier had a great relationship with Poindexter he stuck with the Cavaliers.

Why he matters: Biesemier was a somewhat late addition to the class and a name that most Cavalier fans were not familiar with. Defensive end, though, was a huge position of need in the 2014 class and that was definitely something that recruitniks knew.

So adding Biesemier with just two months left until Signing Day was a nice decision by the coaching staff given the potential depth he could provide. The Virginia Episcopal standout was named to the Virginia Preps Private All-State Defense, after leading his team with 43 solo tackles and two sacks, helping them to a repeat state championship.

Biesemier will likely redshirt in 2014 but his strength and potential make him a solid addition to this class.