RICHMOND, Va. – Silas Barksdale (Newport News, Va./Woodside) and Jordan Tillery (Orlando, Fla./IMG Academy) have officially signed with VCU, Rams' Head Coach Ryan Odom announced Monday.
 
A 6-foot-9, 225-pound forward, Barksdale chose VCU over a list of potential suitors that includes Butler, Illinois, Iowa, Maryland, Miami, Pitt, Tennessee, Virginia Tech and others. Barksale, who currently stars for Woodside High School in Newport News, Va., is ranked 83^rd nationally in 247Sports' class of 2025. It also rates him No. 12 nationally at his position and the No. 5 recruit in the State of Virginia.
 
Known for his inside-outside offensive skill set, Barksdale ranked eighth nationally in rebounding on the vaunted Nike EYBL circuit in 2024 while playing with the Boo Williams AAU program. Barksdale also impressed at Peach Jam, averaging 10.0 points and 11.6 rebounds per game. Last season, Barksdale racked up 25 double-doubles to lead Woodside to a 27-1 record and a second straight state title. For his efforts, he was named Virginia Class 5 State Player of the Year.
 
A 6-foot-5 wing, Tillery is playing a postgraduate season with national powerhouse IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla. and also recently starred for the Team Loaded AAU program. He chose VCU over a list of offers from Arizona State, Seton Hall, Drake and others.
 
Tillery averaged 18 points, five rebounds and two assists for Team Loaded on the Adidas Circuit this summer. He connected on 36 percent of his attempts from beyond the arc. As a senior at Oak Ridge High School in Orlando, Fla. last year, Tillery averaged 14.8 points, 5.8 rebounds, 5.4 assists and 2.1 steals per game on the way to a Class 7A State Championship Game appearance.