Football Captains Named for 2000 Season

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May 5, 2000

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – University of Virginia football coach George Welsh has announced that rising seniors Brad Barnes, Yubrenal Isabelle, Byron Thweatt and Patrick Washington have been selected captains for the upcoming season in voting by the team.

Barnes, an offensive tackle from Grafton, Va., started all 12 games last season in his first year as a starter. One of the line’s most versatile players, he also saw action at guard and left tackle in 1999 and was instrumental in paving the way for record-setting tailback Thomas Jones.

Isabelle, a native of Bluefield, W.Va., started nine games at middle linebacker in 1999 and led the team in tackling with an average of 8.7 stops per game. He intercepted two passes last season, broke up two others and caused one fumble. He had a career-high 14 tackles against both Clemson and Brigham Young.

Thweatt, from Chesterfield, Va., has been a defensive stalwart for the Cavaliers the last three seasons. He was in on 66 tackles last season and was named second-team All-Atlantic Coast Conference despite being less than 100 percent throughout the season. He served as defensive captain last season following an injury to Travis Griffith. Thweatt is currently 15th in school history with 262 career tackles.

Washington, a Washington, D.C., native shared the starting fullback nod with the graduated Anthony Southern in 1999. Known as an outstanding lead blocker, he began his college career as a tight end before moving to fullback. He caught four passes last season, including a touchdown grab vs. Buffalo.

Virginia opens the 2000 campaign with the dedication game of the expanded Carl Smith Center, home of David A. Harrison III Field at Scott Stadium against Brigham Young on Sept. 2.