Virginia Officially Signs Ennis, Frakes, Jackson & Shine to Transfer Class
Virginia head coach Tony Elliott announced the official signing of four transfers the Cavaliers are adding to their 2024 signing class on Thursday. Clemson tight end Sage Ennis, New Mexico State quarterback Gavin Frakes, Robert Morris defensive back Jermarian Jackson, and Eastern Michigan defensive back Kempton Shine will enroll at UVA in January and participate in the program's spring football activities.
A 6'4", 240-pound tight end from Graceville, Florida, Sage Ennis comes to Virginia as a graduate transfer with one year of eligibility remaining. Ennis recorded six catches for 77 yards in his four seasons at Clemson, but played 449 offensive snaps and appeared in 41 games, including two starts for the Tigers. Tony Elliott served as Ennis' offensive coordinator and tight ends coach before leaving to take the head coaching job at Virginia.
A 6'4", 220-pound quarterback from Norman, Oklahoma, Gavin Frakes appeared in 11 games as a true freshman in 2022, including five starts. That season, he completed 55 of 110 passing attempts (50%) for 735 yards and four touchdowns, but threw seven interceptions. Frakes also rushed 33 times for 143 yards and two touchdowns. After redshirting the 2023 season, Frakes entered the transfer portal and ultimately committed to Virginia with three years of eligibility remaining.
A 6'2", 175-pound defensive back from Plant City, Florida, Jackson enjoyed a breakout season in his first year as a full-time starter this fall. Jackson had 40 total tackles, 30 of them solo stops, 1.5 tackles for loss, five passes defended, and a forced fumble in 11 games in 2023. Establishing himself as one of the top cornerbacks at the FCS level, Jackson was named the Co-Defensive Freshman of the Year in the Big South-OVC Football Association and was selected a Third-Team FCS Freshman All-American by Phil Steele. He comes to UVA with three years of eligibility remaining.
Virginia further reinforced its secondary with the addition of Kempton Shine, a 6'0", 184-pound defensive back from Chicago, Illinois. Shine comes to UVA with an abundance of playing experience over the last five years at Eastern Michigan, having appeared in 45 games and totaling 176 tackles, 110 of them solo stops, 3.5 tackles for loss, 27 passes defended, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, and an interception. In his final season at Eastern Michigan in 2023, Athlon Sports named Shine to its All-MAC Second-Team Defense. Shine comes to UVA with one year of eligibility remaining.
Sage Ennis, Gavin Frakes, Jermarian Jackson, and Kempton Shine will each enroll at Virginia in January and participate in spring football practice. A total of 10 transfers and seven freshmen are set to join the UVA football program for the spring semester.
Keep track of all of Virginia's activity in the college football transfer portal here: Virginia Football Transfer Portal Updates
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