Brathwaite makes commitment to UVa

Virginia picked up its 9th verbal commitment of the class of 2010 on Friday night when outside linebacker Chris Brathwaite made his pledge to coach Al Groh’s program.

The 6-foot-1, 257-pound Brathwaite chose the Cavaliers over offers from Hampton and Fordham. He also had interest from Penn State, Rutgers and Syracuse.

Brathwaite had 36 solo tackles and four sacks as a junior at Holy Cross High in Flushing, N.Y. The school also produced former UVa standout wide receiver Kevin Ogletree, now a rookie with the Dallas Cowboys, and Cavaliers men’s basketball star Sylven Landesberg, the 2009 ACC rookie of the year. He plays defensive tackle and offensive guard for the Knights. He earned honorable mention all-Queens honors on the defensive line as a junior.

Brathwaite is the fourth player to commit to UVa this week, joining cornerback Pablo Alvarez, linebacker Henry Coley and offensive lineman Conner Davis.