The Grounds

LaChaston Smith Enrolls at UVa for Spring Semester
Standout Linebacker Prepped at South Iredell High School in North Carolina

Charlottesville, Va. - Virginia head coach Mike London announced today that freshman LaChaston Smith has enrolled at the University and has begun taking classes. Smith will be eligible to participate in spring drills with the Cavaliers.

A native of Statesville, N.C., Smith attended South Iredell High School where he was a 6-0, 225-pound standout linebacker and running back. He was named the MVP of the North Carolina class AA state championship game after rushing 25 times for 159 yards and three scores. He scored the game-winning touchdown with 19 seconds remaining in South Iredell’s 30-27 victory against Carrboro.

Smith missed the bulk of his senior season at South Iredell due to an injury, but made a remarkable return to the gridiron. In the opening round of the state playoffs, he rushed for 191 yards on 13 carries. He recorded seven touchdowns during the game and did not play in the second half of that contest. As a junior, Smith made 82 tackles, 12 of which went for lost yardage. He had 99 tackles, including 24 for a loss, as a sophomore.

He was named the Catawba Valley Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Year as a sophomore. He was an all-conference pick as both a sophomore and junior.