2026 three-star OL Michael Gildea breaks down commitment to Virginia

Class of 2026 three-star offensive lineman Michael Gildea has committed to Virginia.

The Hun School of Princeton (New Jersey) standout will play his college football under head coach Tony Elliott, offensive coordinator/tight ends coach Des Kitchings, offensive line and offensive run game coordinator Terry Heffernan and the rest of the Virginia staff.

Gildea currently ranks as the No. 15 prospect in the state of New Jersey and the No. 83 offensive tackle in the 2026 class.

“Throughout the recruiting process, the people at UVA were/are the most genuine,” Gildea told Rivals.com about his pledge to the Cavaliers. “They are all also great coaches and more importantly people.

“Also, all the schools that I have visited all say that they are building in the right direction, but I truly believed the coaches at UVA and saw their vision because they walked me through their plan step by step. Everything from their way of recruiting to their coaching styles to them as people really made me want to join the UVA family and be a part of something special.”

It was Gildea’s relationship with Heffernan (“Coach Heff”) that was a driving factor in him choosing the Cavaliers. He is still building a bond with Elliott, but trusts him and his vision for the program. As he mentioned, Gildea looks forward to learning from and playing under the entire staff.

“Out of the whole staff, I have been able to spend the most time with Coach Heff,” Gildea explained. “He has taken the time to spend time with me while we were on the grounds and at my school and really get to know me. He has also spent time with me in a football capacity and teach me about the UVA offense and how I would fit in.

“As for Coach Elliott, we haven’t spent as much time as I have with the OL staff, but we have been able to learn a little about each other and I have been able to learn about his story and his background in football. As I said earlier, the whole staff is extremely genuine and really good at what they do.”

During his junior season, the 6-foot-6, 290-pound Gildea helped lead the Raiders to a 9-1 record, while playing a national schedule, in 2024.

Gildea is currently listed as a tackle by Rivals.com, but projects as a guard in Virginia’s offense. However, he has the positional versatility to spend time at the tackle position as well.

“They told me I am a guard in their offense, and as my game progresses, I have tackle flexibility due to my size and athleticism,” he noted. “I would describe my game as physical and being able to finish blocks and get out block people at the second and third level.”

In addition to Virginia, Gildea received scholarship offers from Boston College, Duke, Connecticut, Navy, North Carolina, Pittsburgh, Rutgers, South Florida, Vanderbilt, Virginia Tech, Wake Forest and others.