Virginia Adds Two Graduate Transfers for the 2021 Season

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va.  –  The Virginia football program has added two graduate transfers, according to Fralin Family Head Football Coach Bronco Mendenhall. Defensive back Anthony Johnson (Louisville) and tight end Jelani Woods (Oklahoma State) have signed grant-in-aid documents and will enroll at UVA this February when the University’s spring semester begins. Both Johnson and Woods have two years of eligibility remaining.

Johnson (Coconut Creek, Fla.) appeared in 32 games for Louisville with five career starts. He made 42 career tackles, 4.0 tackles for loss, two interceptions and broke up 15 passes. Johnson appeared in eight of Louisville’s 11 games in 2020 with one start. Johnson is the only player in Cardinal football history to break up a pass on three consecutive plays, a feat he accomplished in 2020 against Florida State. In 2019 Johnson made 27 tackles, 2.0 tackles for loss, broke up seven passes, had one interception, forced three fumbles and recovered another for the Cardinals. Johnson graduated from Louisville with a degree in marketing.

Prior to Louisville, Johnson attended Chaminade-Madonna Prep where he earned all-state honors and helped the Lions to the 2016 state title game.

Woods (Ellenwood, Ga.) appeared in 34 games for Oklahoma State with 28 career starts. He is a two-time (2018 and 2019) All-Big 12 honorable mention honoree by the league’s coaches. Woods also earned All-Big 12 Academic Team honors (second team) in 2020. Recruited out of high school as a quarterback, Woods moved to tight end in advance of OSU’s Camping World Bowl win over Virginia Tech in 2017.

Woods leaves Oklahoma State with 31 career receptions for 361 yards and four touchdowns. In 10 games in 2020, Woods notched nine receptions for 129 yards and one touchdown. A versatile performer in the catch-passing and run-blocking game, Woods helped pave the way for Chuba Hubbard to lead the FBS in rushing yards and earn All-America and Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year status in 2019. Woods graduated from Oklahoma State with a degree in management.

Prior to Oklahoma State, Woods attended Cedar Grove High School. As a quarterback he led CGHS to its first state championship as a senior in 2016 with a 13-2 record. Woods was named the Montlick and Associates Region 5 Athlete of the Year in 2016 and was a first-team all-region 5 3A selection after throwing for 2,316 yards and 26 touchdowns. He also an honorable mention all-state selection in 2016 as a senior.

Anthony Johnson
6-1 • 205 • DB
Coconut Creek, Fla. • Chaminade-Madonna Prep/Louisville

PREVIOUS SCHOOL
A transfer from Louisville where appeared in 32 games with five career starts … made 42 career tackles, 4.0 tackles for loss, two interceptions and broke up 15 passes … appeared in eight of Louisville’s 11 games in 2020 with one start. Johnson is the only player in Cardinal football history to break up a pass on three consecutive plays, a feat he accomplished in 2020 against Florida State … in 2019 Johnson made 27 tackles, 2.0 tackles for loss, broke up seven passes, had one interception, forced three fumbles and recovered another for the Cardinals … graduated from Louisville with a degree in marketing.

HIGH SCHOOL AND PERSONAL
A 2017 graduate of Chaminade-Madonna Prep in Hollywood, Fla., where he played cornerback for head coach Dameon Jones … earned all-state and All-Broward County honors in 2016 … made 30 stops with 10 passes broken up and three interceptions as a junior in 2015 … named a three-star recruit by ESPN.com, Rivals.com and 247Sports.com … ranked No. 89 on ESPN’s top 300 safeties … considered one of the best defensive backs in the Florida … also participated in track & field at Chaminade-Madonna Prep … son of Cedric Nadia and Mitchell Jones.

Jelani Woods
6-7 • 275 • TE
Ellenwood, Ga. • Cedar Grove HS/Oklahoma State

PREVIOUS SCHOOL
A transfer from Oklahoma State where appeared in 34 games with 28 career starts … a two-time (2018 and 2019) All-Big 12 honorable mention honoree by the league’s coaches … earned All-Big 12 Academic Team honors (second team) in 2020 … recruited out of high school as a quarterback, he moved to tight end in advance of OSU’s Camping World Bowl win over Virginia Tech in 2017 … left Oklahoma State with 31 career receptions for 361 yards and four touchdowns … In 10 game in 2020, he notched nine receptions for 129 yards and one touchdown … versatile performer in the catch-passing and run-blocking game, he helped pave the way for Chuba Hubbard to lead the FBS in rushing yards and earn All-America and Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year status in 2019 … graduated from Oklahoma State with a degree in management.

HIGH SCHOOL AND PERSONAL
A 2017 graduate of Cedar Grove High School where he played quarterback for head coach Jermaine Smith … led Cedar Grove to its first state championship with a 13-2 overall record as a senior in 2016 … named the Montlick and Associates Region 5 Athlete of the Year … a first-team all-region 5 3A selection after throwing for 2,316 yards and 26 touchdowns, and also an honorable mention all-state selection … as a junior, completed 62 percent of his passes for 1,992 yards, with 20 touchdown passes against six interceptions … Cedar Grove finished his junior season with an 11-2-1 record and advanced to the state semifinals … sophomore season numbers included a 66.7 completion percentage, 1,489 passing yards and 16 touchdowns while helping lead the team to the second round of the playoffs … was also a talented basketball player, earning honorable mention honors to the AJC all-state team as a junior … rated as a three-star prospect by Rivals.com, Scout.com, ESPN.com and 247Sports.com … Rivals.com ranked him as the No. 20 dual threat quarterback prospect in the nation, while ESPN.com tabbed him as the No. 25 pocket passer in the country and Scout.com listed him as the No. 41 overall quarterback prospect nationally … son of Shaheerah and Greg Woods.