Three-star RB Kier breaks down what went into picking the Wahoos
Considering how much time he spent at UVa with his three-year old cousin Brady while he fought cancer, it's almost too fitting that three-star RB P.K. Kier will play at Virginia.
Just days after his cousin passed away last week, the Millbrook standout made public what he had known in his heart for some time: He's a Wahoo.
"When they offered, I was super excited," Kier told CavsCorner. "I couldn't even put it in perspective. I was just so excited. I had always wanted to play at UVa not just because of Brady but both my aunt and uncle went to UVa and my uncle played there."
His cousin's passing after a roughly year-long battle with acute myeloid leukemia was understandably difficult. But the time that Brady spent at UVa during treatment helped prepare Kier for the next phase of his own life.
"Right when that happened, I knew I was going to commit to UVa," he explained. "It was very hard on us. But one thing that stood out to me along with the support from the coaches was that Matt Johns was at Brady's vigil after he passed. He was there with Caleb, who was Brady's best friend and is thankfully in remission right now.
"I just knew I wanted to go to UVa," Kier added, "because I wanted to play for them, to play for Brady and Caleb, and plus I always loved the school. You can get a great education and play great football close to home."
A 5-foot-11, 206-pound running back from Winchester, Kier had committed to James Madison earlier this spring. But when the Cavaliers began to show interest, everything changed.
It wasn't that long ago that UVa first contacted Kier's coach to see about having him come to camp this summer. But after visits from Virginia's coaches to see him work out, it was no time at all until he was on FaceTime with Bronco Mendenhall being offered a scholarship.
And then Friday, he was in Mendenhall's office telling the first-year coach that he wanted to be a Wahoo.
"I sat down and we started talking and I just told him, 'Coach, I think this is where I want to play and I'm ready to commit to UVa'," Kier said. "He got really hyped up and then all of the other coaches were chest bumping me and going crazy. It just showed me how much they cared."
Prior to telling Mendenhall he was ready to commit, Kier took part in UVa's camp. And it was an eye-opening experience because he got a chance to work with running backs coach Mark Atuaia.
"When we first got there, Coach Atuaia met me and my mom and dad," Kier recalled. "He talked to us for a good bit then I got to meet all of the offensive staff and then we got to see more of the school before I met more with the offensive staff and they told me more about them. Coach Atuaia, he's just so great. And I can't wait to play for him.
"The week before, when Brady passed, I was originally supposed to take part in their Elite Camp but I wanted to still work out and show what I could do," he added.
Being able to work on the field with Atuaia just drove home that Kier was making the right decision.
"He's just such a great guy and somebody that I really, really respect," he said of UVa's first-year RBs coach.
Of course, he isn't the first back committed to Atuaia and the Cavaliers. And already, Kier and fellow three-star RB commit Lamont Atkins have been in touch and started to build a bond.
"It's been great honestly," Kier said. "Getting to know him and the other commits, it's been just great the way they've brought me right in and welcomed me into the family.
"They act like they've known me for a long, long time," he added. "The other commits have been great and it's been good getting to know them. It makes you feel at home, knowing you're going to be playing with guys that you know right away are going to be your brothers."