Andrews III Sidelined
Virginia QB commit Lonnie Andrews III to miss senior season, impacts Oscar Smith title bid
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Lonnie Andrews III, a three-star quarterback committed to Virginia, will miss his entire senior season at Oscar Smith High School in Chesapeake, VA, due to an undisclosed injury, according to Yahoo Sports. The news ends his shot at a third straight state championship — a run that saw him go 30-1 over two dominant seasons.
Andrews led the Tigers to back-to-back Virginia state titles. Now, with Andrews out and a key teammate gone, Oscar Smith faces a major rebuild heading into the 2025 season.
Two State Titles, One Devastating Injury
Over the past two seasons, Oscar Smith was nearly untouchable. The Tigers went 30-1 with Andrews under center, winning the Virginia state championship twice in a row, according to USA Today. Andrews was the engine of that run — a three-star recruit ranked No. 19 in Virginia and No. 48 among quarterbacks in the class of 2027 by the 247Sports Composite.
The injury's exact nature has not been disclosed. But the outcome is clear: Andrews will not play a single snap of his senior year, Marco News reported. His absence leaves a massive hole at the most important position on the field.
Halliday Transfer Leaves Oscar Smith Even Thinner
Andrews is not the only major loss for the Tigers. Three-time state champion Lincoln Halliday has transferred to IMG Academy in Bradenton, FL, according to Yahoo Sports. Halliday was another key piece of Oscar Smith's dynasty. Losing both players at once makes the offseason far more painful.
The departures have left the program, in the words of those close to it, "back to the drawing board," Lufkin Daily News reported. It is a stark reset for a team that had been one of the most dominant in Virginia high school football.
Freshman Justice Culler Steps Into a Tough Spot
With Andrews out, Oscar Smith is turning to an incoming freshman. Justice Culler is expected to take over at quarterback, according to Yahoo Sports. Culler has not played a single varsity snap. He will now step into one of the most pressure-filled roles in Virginia high school football.
It is a massive ask for any 14 or 15-year-old. Oscar Smith built its dynasty on experienced, elite quarterback play. Whether Culler can keep the Tigers competitive in a tough region remains to be seen.
Andrews Stays Committed to Virginia Despite Lost Season
Despite missing his senior year, Andrews remains committed to the University of Virginia, according to USA Today. His college plans are intact. Virginia is getting a signal-caller who proved himself at the highest level of Virginia prep football across two championship runs.
Andrews will have time to recover and prepare for his college career. But he will never get back the chance to chase a third straight title with his teammates at Oscar Smith. It is a tough end to what had been a remarkable high school run.
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