Great Virginia Players

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The University of Virginia proudly recognizes those UVa football players who have earned first-team postseason All-America honors, had their Cavalier jersey numbers retired and/or been inducted into the National Football League Hall of Fame.

Jamshid “Jim” Bakhtiar
Tehran, Iran
Emigrating from his homeland of Iran to the United States in 1946, Jim Bakhtiar was an outstanding fullback, linebacker and kicker for Virginia from 1955-57. He rushed for 2,434 yards and 13 touchdowns for his career and is the only ACC player to rank in the top 10 nationally in rushing for three seasons. The seventh all-time leading rusher in UVa history, Bakhtiar gained over 100 yards nine times. Bakhtiar was selected to the Football Writers first-team All-America squad at fullback in 1957 after leading the ACC in rushing with 822 yards. Earning his medical degree from the University in 1963, Bakhtiar returned to Iran to teach at the University of Isfahan. He later left his homeland due to political turmoil during the revolution of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeni.

Will Brice
Lancaster, S.C.
Will Brice was named a first-team All-America punter by the Football Writers Association of America as a junior in 1995. He also was a second-team All-America selection by The Sporting News and first-team All-ACC selection. He became the first Virginia specialist to earn first-team All-America honors and is one of only three Cavaliers (along with Chris Slade and Anthony Poindexter) to receive first-team All-America recognition during their junior seasons. Brice’s All-America season was instrumental in leading the 1995 Cavaliers to a 9-4 record, a share of the Atlantic Coast Conference championship and a 34-27 victory over Georgia in the Peach Bowl. UVa led the ACC in net punting (37.0 average) for the second consecutive season in 1995. In addition, he had by far the most 50-yard punts and punts inside the 20-yard line of any punter in the ACC that season. He had 17 punts of 50 yards or longer, including a season-long 64-yarder, and he buried 26 punts inside the 20, including 11 inside the 10 and six inside the five. Brice boomed a career-long 78-yard punt against Georgia Tech as a sophomore in 1994. He also had a 70-yard effort that season against North Carolina, making him the only player in school history to have two punts of 70-or-more yards. As a senior in 1996, the four-year starter was named a first-team All-ACC selection for the second consecutive season and received honorable mention All-America recognition from Football News. He ranked second in the ACC and 12th in the nation in 1996 with a career-high average of 44.7 yards per punt. He led the ACC with 17 punts of 50 yards or longer and dropped 16 punts inside the 20-yard line.

Mark Dixon
Jamestown, N.C.
A mainstay on Virginia’s offensive line throughout his Cavalier career, Mark Dixon lettered from 1990 to 1993. He earned consensus All-America honors at offensive guard in 1993 as Virginia finished with a 7-5 record and played in the 1994 Carquest Bowl on New Year’s Day. Serving as one of four UVa captains in 1993, the 6-4, 290-pound Dixon was chosen a first-team All-American by The Associated Press, United Press International, Football News, Walter Camp Foundation, Football Writers Association of America, College & Pro Football Newsweekly and The Sporting News. He was also named a first-team All-Atlantic Coast Conference selection in 1993 and received the Jacobs Blocking Trophy as the ACC’s best blocker. Dixon was named the ACC Offensive Lineman of the Week as a senior following his performance in Virginia’s win over Georgia Tech. He was a second-team All-ACC selection in 1992, blocking for an offense that ranked second in the conference in scoring and rushing. Dixon played three seasons in the Canadian Football League before signing with the NFL Miami Dolphins in January of 1998.

Jim Dombrowski
Williamsville, N.Y.
Jim Dombrowski anchored Virginia’s offensive line for four straight seasons (1982-85) and finished his brilliant college football career as UVa’s first-ever unanimous All-American. In addition, the 6-5, 296-pound offensive tackle became only the fifth Cavalier gridder to have his number (73) retired. The two-time winner of the Jacobs Blocking Trophy (recognizing the ACC’s best blocker) helped lead UVa to three straight winning seasons and a 27-24 victory over Purdue in the 1984 Peach Bowl. Following Virginia’s 6-5 season in 1985, Dombrowski was named to All-America teams by The Associated Press, College & Pro Football Newsweekly, Football News, Football Writers Association of America, Kodak, The Sporting News, United Press International, Walter Camp Foundation, and by Mizlou television network and Independent Insurance Agents. He was selected by the New Orleans Saints in the first round of the 1986 NFL draft.

Bill Dudley
Bluefield, Va.
“Bullet” Bill Dudley was one of the most versatile players of all time. As a 19-year-old senior in 1941, he led Virginia to a sparkling 8-1 record and had a hand in 206 of the 279 points that the Cavaliers scored. A great runner, passer, kicker and defensive player, he led the nation that year in points scored (134) and finished second nationally in total offense (1,824 yards). In the final game of his remarkable college career versus North Carolina, the team captain ran for 215 yards, threw for 117, scored three touchdowns, passed for a fourth and made four of four PATs to lead the Cavaliers to a 28-7 victory over the Tar Heels at Chapel Hill, N.C. A member of the National Football Foundation’s College Football Hall of Fame and the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Dudley became the first Cavalier to have his number (35) retired. He earned All-America honors at halfback in 1941 from The Associated Press, United Press International, International News Service and Colliers. Dudley also finished fifth in the 1941 Heisman balloting and was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1942 as the NFL’s number-one draft choice. He played one season with the Steelers before joining the U.S. Air Force in 1943. He returned to the Steelers in 1945 and led the NFL in rushing, interceptions and punt returns in 1946. Dudley later played with the Detroit Lions and the Washington Redskins. He was inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame on December 6, 1966.

Gene Edmonds
Hampton, Va.
Gene Edmonds was a halfback on winning Cavalier teams in 1948 and 1949. He was killed in a tragic automobile accident near Scott Stadium on Nov. 20, 1949, hours after scoring Virginia’s second touchdown in a 28-14 loss to Tulane. Edmonds’ jersey number (97) was retired as a memorial by Cavalier head coach Art Guepe and UVa Athletic Director Norton Pritchett.

Percy Ellsworth
Drewryville, Va.
Percy Ellsworth was a four-year letter winner in the Cavalier secondary from 1992-95. He started at safety in every game his junior and senior seasons, helping lead Virginia to back-to-back nine-win seasons, a share of the 1995 Atlantic Coast Conference championship and two bowl victories (1994 Independence Bowl and 1995 Peach Bowl). He was an integral part of a defense that led the nation in interceptions in 1993 and 1994, and which intercepted at least one pass in 29 consecutive games from 1993 to 1995. Ellsworth became the first UVa defensive back to receive first-team All-America honors, earning that distinction in 1995 from Football News and the All-American Football Foundation. He earned second-team All-America honors that season from The Associated Press and gained first-team All-ACC recognition. Ellsworth tied for the team lead in interceptions (six) and pass breakups (12) in 1995 while leading UVa’s defensive backs with 68 total tackles. Ellsworth was named ACC Defensive Back of the Week and national Defensive Player of the Week by The Sporting News following Virginia’s 33-28 win over then-second ranked Florida State on November 2, 1995. Ellsworth turned in one of the finest performances of his career against the Seminoles, intercepting two passes, breaking up another, and posting seven tackles. Ellsworth finished his Cavalier career with 10 interceptions, tying for 12th-most in UVa history. In addition to his outstanding football accomplishments, the 6-3 Ellsworth twice lettered as a reserve guard on the Cavalier basketball team. He joined the New York Giants as a free-agent in 1996 and is entering his sixth NFL season with that team.

Thomas Jones
Big Stone Gap, Va.
Thomas Jones etched his name among the all-time greats in Virginia and Atlantic Coast Conference football history as a four-year Cavalier letter winner from 1996-99. Following a phenomenal senior season, the 5-10, 207-pound tailback from Big Stone Gap, Va., was named a 1999 consensus first-team All-American. He was chosen a first-team selection by The Associated Press, Football News, Football Writers Association of America, the Walter Camp Foundation and The Sporting News. He also earned first-team recognition from College & Pro Football Newsweekly, CBS Sportsline, Football Digest and College Football Digest. He distinguished himself as the ACC’s first consensus All-America running back since 1978 (Ted Brown, N.C. State) and just the third in the history of the league. He became UVa’s first consensus All-America offensive back since “Bullet” Bill Dudley in 1941 and the eighth consensus All-American in school history. Jones finished eighth in balloting for the Heisman Trophy in 1999 and was chosen a first-team All-ACC selection (unanimous choice) for the second consecutive season. He established conference and school records with 1,798 yards rushing and 2,054 all-purpose yards as a senior, leading Virginia to a 7-5 overall record and an appearance in the 1999 Micronpc.com Bowl. Jones finished his career as UVa’s all-time leading rusher (fourth in ACC history) with 3,998 yards, eclipsing Tiki Barber’s previous record of 3,389 yards from 1993-96. In all, he set no less than eight ACC and 15 Virginia game, season and career records. Starting in the final 35 games of his career, Jones ranked third in the nation in 1999 in rushing (163.5 yards per game) and all-purpose yards (186.7 ypg), while his four 200-yard rushing games led the nation. He also ranked among the top 10 nationally in touchdowns (17, tied for fifth) and rushing touchdowns (16, tied for seventh). Known for his sure hands as well as his quick feet, Jones led ACC running backs in receptions (22) and receiving yards (239). He surpassed Barber’s UVa career rushing record in dramatic fashion, bolting 71 yards in the second quarter against top-ranked Florida State in 1999. In the final home game of his senior season against Buffalo, Jones matched his career high of 221 yards rushing and added 110 yards receiving to break Dudley’s 58-year-old school record for most all-purpose yards in a game. He also became the first player in ACC history to have 200 yards rushing and 100 yards receiving in a single game. The 1999 Cavalier tri-captain became the second running back in school history to post back-to-back 1,000-yard rushing seasons (Barber did it in 1995-96). Jones rushed for 1,303 yards as a junior, leading the ACC and ranking 11th nationally with an average of 118.5 yards per game. UVa finished 9-3 that season, playing in the Peach Bowl and earning a final ranking of 18th in both The Associated Press and USA Today/CNN polls. In addition to his remarkable on-the-field exploits, Jones earned his bachelor’s degree in psychology in just three years and competed as a graduate student during his final year of eligibility. He was selected by the Arizona Cardinals in the first round (seventh pick overall) of the 2000 NFL draft.

Henry Jordan
Warwick, Va.
Henry Jordan was a three-sport athlete at Virginia (football, wrestling and track & field) who later achieved greatness in the National Football League. The native of Emporia, Va., earned three letters in football and captained the 1956 squad as a senior. Jordan finished his UVa wrestling career with a 37-4 record. He won an ACC title and advanced to the NCAA finals as a heavyweight his senior year. Selected by the Cleveland Browns in the fifth round of the 1957 NFL draft, Jordan was later traded to the Green Bay Packers before the 1959 season. He spent the next 11 years with the Packers, playing at right defensive tackle on some of the greatest teams in pro football history. Jordan’s arrival in Green Bay coincided with that of the legendary coach Vince Lombardi, who would lead the Packers to five NFL titles in seven years between 1961 and 1967. Jordan was named All-NFL in five consecutive seasons from 1960 to 1964, and in 1967. A four-time Pro-Bowl selection, Jordan was named Most Valuable Lineman in the 1962 Pro Bowl after he blocked a kick to preserve a 31-30 victory for the West squad. At 6-3, 240 pounds, Jordan was small for his era, but the durable tackle missed only two games during a 13-year NFL career. Jordan died of a heart attack in 1977 at age 42. He was posthumously inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame on July 29, 1995, in Canton, Ohio. He became the 10th Green Bay player from the 1960s to be elected to the Hall of Fame, joining such fellow legends as Paul Hornung, Ray Nitschke, Bart Starr and Jim Taylor.

Patrick Kerney
Newtown, Pa.
Patrick Kerney capped a memorable senior season in 1998 by receiving first-team All-America honors at defensive end from the Football Writers Association of America and Football News. He was chosen as a second-team All-American by The Associated Press and The Sporting News. A first-team All-ACC selection, Kerney finished second in balloting for the 1998 ACC Defensive Player of the Year by one vote to fellow Cavalier All-American Anthony Poindexter. Kerney was one of five finalists for the Bronko Nagurski Award, given annually by the Football Writers Association to the nation’s best defensive player. Originally coming to UVa on a lacrosse scholarship, the 6-6, 265-pound native of Newtown, Pa., became the first Cavalier defensive end to earn first-team All-America honors since Chris Slade in 1992. Possessing outstanding size, strength and quickness, Kerney led the ACC and ranked second in the nation in quarterback sacks in 1998 with 15. He finished second in the conference and 10th nationally with 21 tackles for loss. His 15 quarterback sacks tied Slade’s school record (and tied for the fifth-highest total in ACC history). His 21 tackles for loss tied the school record held by Slade and Mike Frederick. Kerney posted a career-high 62 tackles in 1998, tops among UVa’s defensive linemen. He helped lead the 1998 Cavaliers to a 9-3 overall record, a trip to the Peach Bowl and a final ranking of 18th in both The Associated Press and USA Today/CNN polls. Kerney ranks third in school history with 24 career sacks. In addition to earning four letters in football at UVa, he was a defenseman on UVa’s lacrosse team in 1996 and 1997. Kerney was selected by the Atlanta Falcons in the first round of the 1999 NFL draft.

Noel LaMontagne
Coopersburg, Pa.
Noel LaMontagne was a stalwart on some of the best offensive lines in Virginia football history. He lettered from 1996-99, starting mostly at guard during his sophomore, junior and senior seasons. He was recognized as a first-team All-American by The Sporting News and earned first-team All-ACC honors for the second consecutive year in 1999. He and center John St. Clair became the first two UVa offensive linemen to win first-team All-America distinction in the same season. A 1999 tri-captain, LaMontagne also won the Jim Tatum Award, given annually to the top student-athlete among the ACC’s senior football players. The 6-5, 302-pound offensive lineman from Coopersburg, Pa., helped open holes all season long for consensus All-America tailback Thomas Jones, who rushed for an ACC-record 1,798 yards. As a team, Virginia averaged over 400 yards of total offense for the second year in a row. LaMontagne typically started at guard, but also started some at tackle during the 1999 season due to injuries along the line. His steady play helped lead UVa to a 7-5 record and an appearance in the Micronpc.com Bowl. He started in seven of 11 regular season games in 1998, missing three games due to injury, and in the Peach Bowl. Virginia led the ACC in rushing offense (213.1 yards per game) that season en route to a 9-3 overall record and a final ranking of 18th in both The Associated Press and USA Today/CNN polls. He competed as a first-year graduate student during his final season of eligibility after receiving his undergraduate degree in sociology in May of 1999.

Eugene Mayer
Norfolk, Va.
Eugene “Buck” Mayer became the first player from a Southern school to earn first-team All-America honors, gaining that distinction in 1915 as a star halfback on one of the greatest Cavalier teams of all time. In one of his best individual performances, he scored five touchdowns in a 74-0 win over Richmond in 1915. The Cavaliers went on to post an 8-1 record that year, losing only to Harvard, while Mayer was named a first-team All-American by International News Service and a third-team choice by Walter Camp. Mayer captained UVa’s 1914 squad and helped lead Virginia to a four-year record of 39-6 record from 1912-15. During his career, he scored 46 touchdowns and 293 points–both UVa records.

Herman Moore
Danville, Va.
Herman Moore established a new standard of excellence for Cavalier wide receivers. He teamed for three seasons (1988-90) with quarterback Shawn Moore to form one half of UVa’s highly-touted “Moore to Moore” pass-catch combination. Possessing exceptional leaping ability as well as sure hands, the 6-5 receiver was named a first-team All-American in 1990 by The Associated Press, United Press International, The Sporting News, Football News and the Football Writers Association of America. He also was a unanimous first-team All-Atlantic Coast Conference selection in 1990 and finished sixth that season in the Heisman Trophy balloting. While at Virginia, he broke two NCAA records, tied two others and became the all-time ACC leader for most receiving yards in a season with 1,190 in 1990. He finished his career as the NCAA record-holder for most consecutive games in a season with a touchdown reception (nine in 1990) and most yards per catch in a career (22.0 average). He set UVa season records in 1990 with 54 catches for 1,190 yards and 13 touchdowns, and established UVa career records for most touchdown receptions (27) and most receiving yards (2,504). He earned honorable mention All-America and second-team All-ACC recognition in 1989 after catching 36 passes for 848 yards and 10 touchdowns. Moore also excelled in track and field at Virginia as a conference champion high jumper. He was chosen in the first round of the 1991 NFL draft by the Detroit Lions and started in the 1996, 1997 and 1998 Pro Bowls.

Shawn Moore
Martinsville, Va.
Shawn Moore passed and ran his way to Cavalier greatness. As Virginia’s starting signal caller from 1988 to 1990, he quarterbacked UVa to two consecutive New Year’s Day Bowl appearances and a share of the school’s first-ever Atlantic Coast Conference championship. Moore guided the Cavaliers to 23 wins in his last 28 career starts. Virginia’s all-time passing and total offense leader, he set over 30 combined NCAA, conference and school records. Finishing his career in 1990 as a graduate student, the two-time tri-captain led Virginia to the USF&G Sugar Bowl as well as a number-one ranking in the nation (Associated Press) for three consecutive weeks during the regular season. Moore became the first ACC quarterback to lead the nation in passing efficiency (160.7) in 1990 while completing 144 of 241 passes for 2,262 yards and 21 touchdowns. He also rushed for 306 yards and eight TDs. Moore finished fourth in balloting for the 1990 Heisman Trophy, capturing more votes than any other player in ACC history at that time. Among his other honors in 1990, he was chosen a first-team All-American by Kodak (as selected by the American Football Coaches Association) and the Football Writers Association of America, was a second-team All-America selection by AP, UPI and The Sporting News, and was named ACC Player of the Year. He was named a first-team All-ACC selection and an honorable mention All-American in 1989 after guiding Virginia to a share of the conference title and a trip to the Florida Citrus Bowl. Moore was the only Division I quarterback in the nation that year to pass for over 2,000 yards and rush for over 500. He completed 421 of 762 career passes (.552 percent) for 6,629 yards and 55 touchdowns while gaining 7,897 yards in total offense. He was selected in the 11th round of the 1991 NFL draft by the Denver Broncos and his jersey number (12) was retired by UVa.

Joe Palumbo
Beaver, Pa.
Joe Palumbo is considered the best defensive guard in Cavalier football history. During his three varsity seasons (’49, ’50 and ’51), Virginia posted a 23-5 mark and recorded seven shutouts. Palumbo captained head coach Art Guepe’s 1951 squad and was a first-team All-America selection that season by The Associated Press and NEA. He was a three-time All-State selection. In 1951, Palumbo received the Outstanding Defensive Lineman Award from the Touchdown Club of Washington, D.C., was named the state of Virginia’s Athlete of the Year, and participated in the Blue-Gray All-Star Game. He is one of six Cavaliers to have his number (48) retired. Palumbo was inducted into the National Football Foundation and College Football Hall of Fame in August of 1999.

John Papit
Philadelphia, Pa.
John Papit was a rare fullback who had the speed and shiftiness to go all the way anytime he carried the ball. As a member of the 1947-50 teams, he was always the leading rusher. His best game was a 224-yard effort against Washington & Lee in 1948, which still stands as UVa’s single-game rushing record. In 1949, he rushed for 1,214 yards which was Virginia’s single-season rushing record until broken by Barry Word (1,224) in 1985. He is Virginia’s third all-time leading rusher with 537 carries for 3,238 yards. Papit was selected by NEA as a first-team All-American in 1949.

Anthony Poindexter
Forest, Va.
Anthony Poindexter earned first-team All-America honors as a defensive back in 1997 and 1998. He joins Chris Slade as the only two-time first-team All-Americans in school history. Throughout his career, the 6-1, 220-pound safety from Forest, Va., was regarded as one of the fiercest hitters in college football. His collegiate career came to a premature end when he injured his left knee in the seventh game of his senior season against N.C. State on October 24, 1998. Although he managed to walk off the field after being injured, Poindexter eventually underwent reconstructive surgery and was unable to play in Virginia’s final four regular season games and in the 1998 Peach Bowl. Fortunately, his injury did not keep him from being recognized as one the top defensive players in the nation. He was selected a first-team All-American by the Football Writers Association of America, The Associated Press, The Sporting News and College & Pro Football Newsweekly. He was named a second-team All-American by Football News. Chosen the 1998 ACC Defensive Player of the Year, Poindexter became only the third player in school history to earn first-team All-Conference honors three times. He served as a team co-captain for the second year in a row in 1998. Through seven games that season, Poindexter led UVa in a number of statistical categories, including tackles (73, 10.4 per game), interceptions (3), fumbles recovered (2) and fumbles caused (2). His three quarterback sacks in 1998 marked the most ever by a Cavalier defensive back. Poindexter had the opportunity to enter the NFL draft following his junior season in 1997 but opted to return to Virginia for his final year of eligibility. He was chosen a first-team All-American by The Sporting News as a junior. He was named a second-team All-American by College & Pro Football Newsweekly and a third-team selection by The Associated Press. Poindexter also was named a first-team All-ACC selection for the second consecutive season and received the Dudley Award as the best college player in the state of Virginia. Poindexter turned in a memorable season in 1997 despite missing one game and most of two others due to injury. He ranked second among ACC defensive backs in 1997 with 78 tackles and led the Cavaliers with four interceptions. Poindexter was second among ACC defensive backs in tackles in 1996 with 98, tying Lester Lyles’ school record (set in 1984). As a freshman in 1995, Poindexter helped make perhaps the biggest single defensive play in school history in Virginia’s monumental 33-28 victory over second-ranked and previously unbeaten Florida State. The Seminoles had the ball on UVa’s six-yard line with four seconds remaining, enough time for one more play. FSU’s late-game rally fell short, however, as Poindexter and Adrian Burnim tackled tailback Warrick Dunn inches short of the goal line on the game’s final play. With the victory, Virginia ended Florida State’s four-year, 29-game winning streak against ACC teams since joining the conference in 1992. Poindexter played both linebacker and safety in 1995. His 93 tackles that season are the third most in school history by a freshman. His 342 career tackles rank ninth in school history (first among defensive backs) and sixth in ACC history by a defensive back. He is tied for fifth in school history with 12 interceptions. Of his 20 career turnovers in regular season and bowl games (including fumbles recovered and interceptions) and his four blocked punts, 14 led to UVa touchdowns and another to a field goal. He was selected by the Baltimore Ravens in the seventh round of the 1999 NFL draft.

Frank Quayle
Garden City, N.Y.
Frank Quayle established himself as Virginia’s most versatile performer since the days of “Bullet” Bill Dudley. In addition to his career rushing total of 2,695 yards (fifth on the all-time list), the 5-10, 195-pound tailback caught 83 passes for 1,145 yards. He was named ACC Player of the Year in 1968 after rushing 175 times for 1,213 yards and catching 30 passes for 426 yards. During his three seasons in the Cavalier backfield (’66, ’67 and ’68), Virginia went 16-14, including a 7-3 mark in 1968. A fifth-round draft choice by the Denver Broncos, Quayle is one of six Cavaliers to have his number (24) was retired.

Ray Roberts
Asheville, N.C.
Ray Roberts combined exceptional athletic talent with intimidating size and strength to establish himself as Virginia’s most dominating offensive lineman since 1985 unanimous All-American Jim Dombrowski. The 6-7, 300-pound offensive tackle started on three bowl teams and on one Atlantic Coast Conference championship team at UVa. He culminated his outstanding Cavalier career as a senior in 1991, gaining first-team All-America status from the Scripps Howard News Service and from Kodak (American Football Coaches Association). He earned second-team All-America honors from College & Pro Football Newsweekly, the Football News, The Associated Press and United Press International. Roberts was a first-team all-conference selection and received the Jacobs Blocking Trophy as the ACC’s best blocker in each of his last two seasons. One of four team captains his senior year, he helped lead the 1991 Cavaliers to an 8-3-1 record and a Gator Bowl appearance. In 1990, Roberts blocked for an offense that scored a then ACC-record 442 points. UVa posted an 8-4 record that season and played Tennessee on New Year’s Day in the 1991 USF&G Sugar Bowl. In 1989, Roberts was part of an offensive line that allowed just 12 sacks during the regular season. His outstanding play helped propel the 1989 Cavaliers to a school-record 10 wins, a share of UVa’s first-ever ACC championship and a New Year’s Day Bowl debut against Illinois in the 1990 Florida Citrus Bowl. He was selected in the first round of the 1992 NFL draft by the Seattle Seahawks and is in his sixth season with the Detroit Lions in 2001.

Ray Savage
Newport News, Va.
Ray Savage earned Kodak All-America honors at defensive end/outside linebacker in 1989 as an indispensable member of one of the most successful teams in Cavalier football history. Led all year long by Savage’s brilliant defensive play, the 1989 Cavaliers rolled up a school-record 10 victories, earned a share of Virginia’s first-ever Atlantic Coast Conference championship and met Illinois on New Year’s Day in the 1990 Florida Citrus Bowl. Known for his hard-hitting style of play and unparalleled intensity, Savage finished the 1989 season with 91 tackles, including 49 solo stops and one quarterback sack. He also caused a fumble and broke up seven passes. A four-year starter, Savage also starred on Virginia’s 1987 All American Bowl Championship squad. He finished his outstanding career ranked fourth (now 12th) among UVa’s all-time leading tacklers with 302 total stops. He was selected by the Los Angeles Rams in the eighth round of the 1990 NFL draft.

Tom Scott
Baltimore, Md.
Tom Scott was the first two-sport All-American (in football and lacrosse) ever produced by the University of Virginia. He was a standout two-way end on the Cavalier football team, leading UVa to a superb three-year record of 24-5 from 1950-52. His greatest moment on the football field came in a 30-7 upset over Duke at Durham in 1951 as Scott scored on an interception and spent most of the day in the Blue Devils’ backfield. Virginia finished the 1951 season with an 8-1 record and ranked 13th nationally in The Associated Press’ final Top-20 poll. As a senior in 1952, Scott helped lead Virginia to an 8-2 record and was selected to The Associated Press and NEA first-team All-America squads. He also was a member of Virginia’s National Champion lacrosse team in 1952 and was an All-America defenseman in 1953. A second-round draft choice by the Philadelphia Eagles, Scott is a member of the National Football Foundation College Football Hall of Fame. He currently serves on the Board of Directors for the National Football Foundation and College Football Hall of Fame.

Chris Slade
Tabb, Va.
Chris Slade established himself as one of the greatest pass rushers in Virginia and Atlantic Coast Conference history. A four-year starter at defensive end, he helped Virginia win its first ACC championship in 1989 and played on three bowl teams at UVa. Slade was the first Cavalier football player to earn first-team All-America honors for two seasons (in 1991 and 1992). He set Virginia and ACC career records for quarterback sacks with 40, including 31 unassisted. As a senior tri-captain in 1992, Slade was in on 74 total tackles, including a UVa single-season record 15 sacks for 128 yards in losses. That broke his own previous school record of 14 sacks, set in 1991. Slade was named Defensive Player of the Year in 1992 by Football News and was a first-team All-America selection by The Associated Press, United Press International, Football News, Champion/The Sporting News, Football Writer’s Association of America and Walter Camp. Among his other 1992 accolades, Slade earned first-team All-ACC honors for the second time in three years, was selected a second-team All-American by College and Pro Football Newsweekly and gained honorable mention All-America recognition by Scripps Howard News Service. He was named a first-team All-American in 1991 by College & Pro Football Newsweekly. Slade finished his junior season as the leading tackler on a team that ranked fourth in the nation in scoring defense (10.8) and sixth in pass efficiency defense (91.1 rating). He was in on a team-high 99 tackles in 1991, including 14 sacks for 100 yards in losses, as UVa posted an 8-3-1 record and played Oklahoma in the Gator Bowl. Slade starred as a freshman on a 1989 Virginia team that won a school-record 10 games, captured the ACC title and played Illinois on New Year’s Day in the 1990 Florida Citrus Bowl. He was named Defensive MVP in the Florida Citrus Bowl after posting a game-high 11 tackles. The following season, Slade helped lead the Cavaliers to an 8-4 record and a New Year’s Day showdown against Tennessee in the 1991 USF&G Sugar Bowl. Slade finished fifth (now 13th) on UVa’s list for career tackles with 299. He was selected in the second round of the 1993 NFL draft by the New England Patriots. Slade helped lead the Patriots to Super Bowl XXXI in 1997 and joined former Cavalier teammate Herman Moore as a 1998 NFL Pro Bowl selection.

John St. Clair
Roanoke, Va.
John St. Clair excelled as one of the finest centers in the nation as a senior in 1999, earning first-team All-America honors by CNN/SI.com and CollegeFootballNews.com. He received second-team recognition by Football News. St. Clair became the first center in school history to win first-team All-America distinction. In addition, he and offensive guard/tackle Noel LaMontagne are the first two UVa offensive linemen to win first-team All-America honors in the same season. St. Clair also received the 1999 Jacobs Blocking Trophy as the best blocker in the Atlantic Coast Conference. He is the sixth player in school history to win that award. He joins Dan Ryczek (1970) as the only Cavalier centers to earn that distinction. The 6-5, 299-pound offensive lineman from Roanoke, Va., also earned first-team All-ACC honors as a senior. He started in all 11 games and the Micronpc.com Bowl in 1999. His play was instrumental in clearing the way for consensus All-America tailback Thomas Jones, who rushed for an ACC-record 1,798 yards. As a team, Virginia averaged over 400 yards of total offense for the second year in a row. St. Clair also started at center in 1998, bolstering a Cavalier offensive line that led the ACC in rushing offense (213.1 yards per game). Virginia finished 9-3 that season, playing in the Peach Bowl and earning a final ranking of 18th in both The Associated Press and USA Today/CNN polls. St. Clair competed as a first-year graduate student during his final season of eligibility after receiving his undergraduate degree in anthropology in May of 1999. He was selected in the third round of the 2000 NFL draft by the St. Louis Rams.