A loaded Virginia roster — one that features nine returning starters and the nation’s No. 1 recruiting class — just landed an intriguing boost to its 2023 roster, Stanford football captain Ricky Miezan.

The Lacrosse Network reported the news in a tweet on Monday. Ty Xanders of Inside Lacrosse reported last week that Miezan was in the portal and looking for opportunities in lacrosse.

EXCLUSIVE: @rickymiezan, former #1 lacrosse recruit and @StanfordFball captain, has officially commited to play for @UVAMensLax pic.twitter.com/NUUtYBXLn8

— TLN (@LacrosseNetwork) December 12, 2022

One of the highest-rated players in the lacrosse class of 2018, Miezan, a midfielder, was committed to play lacrosse at North Carolina before joining the football team at Episcopal High School in Alexandria, Va., before his junior year. The 6-foot-2, 230-pounder found instant success on the football field and shifted his focus to playing that sport in college after drawing significant recruiting interest.

Miezan, the son of former Ivory Coast Olympic sprinter William Miezan, initially planned to play both football and lacrosse at North Carolina before accepting a scholarship to play football only at Stanford.

At Stanford, Miezan played in four games as a freshman in 2018, preserving a redshirt year. Early season injuries ended his 2019 and 2020 seasons, but he began to emerge last year, starting eight games for the Cardinal and ranking second on the team with 68 tackles.

Elected a captain for the 2022 season, Miezan, a linebacker, made 45 tackles and was second on the team with four quarterback sacks this fall.

A multiple-time Pac-12 All-Academic Honor Roll selection, Miezan will enroll in graduate school at Virginia and be eligible to play lacrosse for the Cavaliers this spring. He could apply for a waiver that would allow him to play in 2024 as well if it is granted.