Football Signing Day is Underway at Virginia

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Feb. 1, 2006

Charlottesville – The Cavalier football program announced today that 24 student-athletes have signed their national letters of intent to enroll at Virginia and play for the Hoos next fall. The following is a list of the signees and bios on each individual. Links to video files, including commentary from Virginia coach Al Groh, are included at the conslusion of each profile.

You can also visit Virginiasportstv.com for a comprehensive roundup of all of the video files.

Rico Bell
DB … 5-10 … 181 … Charlotte, N.C. (Vance)
Hard-hitting defensive back who is also considered an excellent cover man … 3 stars by Rivals.com and Scout.com … rated the #30 safety in the country by Rivals.com, #33 by ESPN.com and #47 by Scout.com … ranked 84th on Scout.com’s East Region Hot 100… ranked as the 11th-best player in North Carolina by the Charlotte Observer … listed as the #16 player in North Carolina by Rivals.com …all-state by NCPreps.com … made three tackles in the Shrine Bowl … finished with 101 tackles as a senior … intercepted six passes and returned two for touchdowns … intercepted three passes in one game … named his conference’s defensive player of the year … first-team All-Mecklenburg County by the Charlotte Observer … first-team All-Charlotte Observer defensive back … sprinter and hurdler on the track team. Rico Bell Video

John Bivens
LB … 6-2 … 210 … Disputanta, Va. (Prince George)
Outstanding two-sport athlete who is also an accomplished baseball player … 2 stars by Rivals.com and by Scout.com … ranked as the 13th-best player in Virginia by TheSabre.com, 19th by Rivals.com, 24th by the Roanoke Times, and 28th on the Charlottesville Daily Progress “Silver List” … served as team captain as a senior when he piled up approximately 800 all-purpose yards, including 412 receiving yards on 26 receptions … he carried 48 times for 290 yards … he recorded 10 touchdowns (four receiving, four rushing and two TD passes) … posted 68 tackles, including four sacks, and was credited with breaking up six passes and recorded one interception … received first-team all-Central district honors as both a wide receiver and defensive back in 2005 … was a second-team Richmond Times-Dispatch all-met pick at defensive back … voted his team MVP as both a sophomore and senior … did not play football as a junior in 2004 while concentrating on baseball … standout baseball player who earned all-district and all-region honors as an outfielder … ranked the #94 prospect in the nation by Perfect Game USA … also voted team captain of diamond squad … enters his senior season with a career .340 batting average … team captain of basketball team … averaged 10 points and eight rebounds as a junior … an all-academic performer in all three sports … has participated in the Big Brothers program in his community … is the first Division I-A football signee from his high school in 10 years. John Bivens Video

B.J. Cabbell
OL … 6-6 … 295 … Roseland, Va. (Nelson County)
Mammoth offensive lineman … quick feet and hands … a PrepStar All-Atlantic region selection… rated as the #50 offensive tackle in the nation by Rivals.com … ranked as the 22nd-best player in Virginia by Rivals.com and the Roanoke Times, 25th on the Charlottesville Daily Progress “Gold List” and 29th by TheSabre.com … played on both sides of the line as an offensive guard, and defensive tackle and end … earned all-district, all-area and all-region honors … team MVP as a senior … totaled 65 tackles as a senior, including five sacks … had 65 tackles as a junior and 43 as a sophomore … multi-sport athlete who also excels on basketball and track squads … averaged 15 points per game as a junior on basketball team … helped track squad to 2005 outdoor state title by competing in the shot put and discus … is the first player from his school to earn a Division I football scholarship in more than 25 years. B.J. Cabbell Video

Darnell Carter
LB … 6-3 … 223 … Englewood, N.J. (Dwight Morrow)
Physical two-way player … 2 stars by Rivals.com and Scout.com … PrepStar All-Big East/Independent region … rated the #34 tight end in the nation by ESPN.com … listed as the #30 player in New Jersey by Rivals.com … finished with 62 tackles and four interceptions as a senior linebacker … also caught 11 passes for 299 yards and four touchdowns as a tight end … caught three touchdown passes in one game … was in on 70 tackles, including 50 solo stops, as a junior … had two quarterback sacks that season and finished with 23 receptions for 279 yards and five touchdowns … also plays basketball. Darnell Carter Video

Asa Chapman
DL … 6-5 … 330 … Orange, Va. (Orange County)
Imposing defensive lineman …called an explosive package of raw talent by his coach … was the anchor of undersized defensive and offensive lines his last two years … PrepStar All-Atlantic Region … rated the #84 defensive tackle in the country by ESPN.com … 2 stars by Rivals.com and Scout.com … ranked as the 21st-best player in Virginia by TheSabre.com, 24th on the Charlottesville Daily Progress “Gold List” and 26th by Rivals.com … second-team all-state defensive lineman during his senior season by the Associated Press and the coaches association … first-team all-region defensive and offensive tackle … second-team all-region and first-team all-district defensive lineman as a junior … also plays basketball and throws the shot put on the track team … lived in New Jersey before moving to Virginia before his junior year of high school. Asa Chapman Video

Nate Collins
DL … 6-2 … 258 … Port Chester, N.Y. (King & Low-Heywood Thomas)
Athletic player who played a wide variety of positions during his career … played defensive end, fullback, tailback, tight end, wide receiver, defensive tackle, linebacker and quarterback at times … 2 stars by Rivals.com and Scout.com … PrepStar All-Big East/Independent region … ranked as the 20th-best player in New England by Scout.com … Boston Globe all-league as a senior … had an interesting season … primarily a defensive end, but played four games at quarterback due to the team’s injuries … also saw time at running back … finished with 86 tackles and 10 quarterback sacks on defense … rushed 66 times for 676 yards and touchdowns, and completed 13 of 40 passes for 140 yards and two touchdowns … caught 18 passes for 202 yards and eight touchdowns … made more than 50 tackles, including 11 quarterback sacks during his junior campaign … rushed for more than 850 yards and 10 touchdowns to earn all-New England honors … also plays basketball. Nate Collins Video

Billy Cuffee
OL … 6-5 … 320 … Chesapeake, Va. (Deep Creek)
Good athlete with impressive size … anchored an offensive line for an offense that averaged 270 yards rushing per game during his senior season … 2 stars by Rivals.com and Scout.com … rated as the 13th-best player in Virginia by TheSabre.com, 27th by the Roanoke Times, 29th by Scout.com and 38th on the Charlottesville Daily Progress “Silver List” … earned second-team all-state honors from the Associated Press … first-team all-Tidewater by the Norfolk Virginian-Pilot … first-team all-Southeastern District … started as a sophomore, but missed his junior year due to an injury … joins teammate Ras-I Dowling as UVa signees this year. Billy Cuffee Video

Chris Dalton
WR … 6-2 … 164 … Statesville, N.C. (West Iredell)
Speedy athlete who played on both sides of the ball … played wide receiver, cornerback and returned kicks … PrepStar All-American … 2 stars by Rivals.com and Scout.com … caught 64 passes for 945 yards and 14 touchdowns as a senior, setting school records for receptions and touchdown catches … was a as a team captain … played in the Shrine Bowl, an all-star game between North Carolina and South Carolina prep standouts … only the second player in his school’s history to play in the Shrine Bowl … Statesville Record & Landmark All-County team at wide receiver and utility player … a first-team all-Iredell County performer for the second straight season as a senior … also earned all-North Piedmont Conference honors as a senior … named to the Charlotte Observer’s all-Piedmont team … honorable mention all-region by the Winston-Salem Journal … helped team reach second round of 3A playoffs for just the second time in school history … had 35 catches for 535 yards and five scores during his junior campaign … intercepted four passes that season and returned one for a touchdown … All-Central Carolina … also played on the varsity squad during his sophomore year, pulling down nine catches for 131 yards and one touchdown … outstanding competitor for track squad, earning all-state honors as a junior … took home top honors in the 110-meter hurdles, 300m hurdles and long jump at county championships as a junior … the Central Carolina Conference champion in the 110-meter hurdles and runner-up in the 300m hurdles … was second at the state 2A meet in the 300m hurdles and fifth in the triple jump … as a sophomore he placed fifth at 2A state meet in the 110m hurdles … all-county performer in track as both a junior and sophomore. Chris Dalton Video

John-Kevin Dolce
LB … 6-2 … 220 … Bayshore, N.Y. (St. Anthony’s)
Considered the most feared defensive player in his conference … 3 stars by Rivals.com and Scout.com … PrepStar All-Big East/Independent region … ranked as the #23 inside linebacker in the country by Rivals.com … rated the #31 defensive end nationally by ESPN.com, #43 by Collegefootballnews.com and #67 by Scout.com … Rivals.com lists him as the sixth-best player in New York … led his team to its fifth consecutive Catholic League championship as a senior when he had 74 tackles, eight tackles for loss, six quarterback sacks and 2 forced fumbles from his inside linebacker position … played defensive end during his junior season and finished with 57 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, four quarterback sacks, and three pass break-ups … his team was 21-2 his last two seasons … his mother is originally from Haiti and he lived there for several years as a youngster. John-Kevin Dolce Video

Ras-I Dowling
WR/DB … 6-2 … 180 … Chesapeake, Va. (Deep Creek)
Versatile athlete who played defensive back, wide receiver and some quarterback during his career … fast and a good leaper … 2 stars by Rivals.com and Scout.com … ranked as the 20th-best player in Virginia by the Roanoke Times, 25th by TheSabre.com, 26th on the Charlottesville Daily Progress “Silver List” and 28th by Rivals.com … team finished with an 8-2 record during his senior year … also plays basketball. Ras-I Dowling Video

DeAndre Filer
DB … 5-10 … 168 … Chesapeake, Va. (Indian River)
Athletic two-way player … 2 stars by Rivals.com … listed as the 29th-best player in Virginia by the Roanoke Times, and 32nd on the Charlottesville Daily Progress “Silver List” … earned first-team all-Southeastern District honors at defensive back and second-team honors as a wide receiver during his senior year … second-team all-Tidewater by the Norfolk Virginian-Pilot … made 70 tackles and intercepted six passes … pressed into emergency duty at quarterback for several games … caught 27 passes for 498 yards and seven touchdowns … also rushed for a score … did not play football as a junior to concentrate on academics … sprinter on the track team. DeAndre Filer Video

Sean Gottschalk
DL … 6-4 … 256 … Richmond, Va. (Deep Run)
Good sized, rugged player who excelled on both sides of the ball … 4 stars by Rivals.com … 3 stars by Scout.com … SuperProspect by CSTV.com … Rivals 250 … rated the #21 tight end in the country by Scout.com … ranked as the #15 defensive end in the country by Rivals.com and #36 by Collegefootballnews.com … #16 strongside defensive end nationally by Rivals.com … named to PrepStar’s all-Atlantic region team … listed as the ninth-best player in Virginia by Rivals.com and on the Charlottesville Daily Progress “Gold List,” 14th by the Roanoke Times, and 15th by TheSabre.com … his high school was in only its third year of fielding a varsity football program … three-time letterwinner … captained the squad as a senior … second-team Richmond Times-Dispatch all-Met and all-Central Region selection as a senior … earned all-district honors as a junior and senior … had 56 tackles and six sacks during his junior season … he added 10 catches for 96 yards on offense that season … named a scholar-athlete award winner in football and basketball for four seasons … his coach, Lenny Pritchard, lettered at UVa in 1988 … basketball letterman as a center … picked as a Boys State representative … honor roll all four years … performed an internship for now Virginia governor Tim Kaine in 2003 … father, Patrick, played football at Navy from 1971 to 1973 … grandfather played football at Michigan … well-rounded student-athlete who has won awards for essay and speech competitions … also top performer as a bassist. Sean Gottschalk Video

Raynard Horne
RB/S … 6-0 … 200 … Baltimore, Md. (Overlea Senior)
Explosive two-way threat … 2 stars by Rivals.com and Scout.com … PrepStar All-Atlantic region … named second-team Washington Post All-Met tailback as a senior … second-team Baltimore Sun All-Met, as well … second-team small-school all-state linebacker … first-team Baltimore Sun All-Baltimore County … had more than 1100 yards rushing his senior season and scored 24 touchdowns … also caught 15 passes, including three for touchdowns … caught the game-winning touchdown pass in the first round of the playoffs to cap a comeback win … his team finished 9-3 and appeared in the regional championship game … rushed for over 500 yards and 12 touchdowns in a wing-T offense during his junior season … made 80 tackles and intercepted three passes, including one for a touchdown, that season … also plays basketball and runs track. Raynard Horne Video

George Johnson
LB/TE … 6-5 … 215 … Glassboro, N.J. (Glassboro)
Hard-working linebacker … 3 stars by Rivals.com … 2 stars by Scout.com … PrepStar All-Big East/Independent region … rated the #30 inside linebacker nationally by Rivals.com … listed as the 17th-best prospect in New Jersey by Rivals.com … had an excellent senior season when he led his team to an 11-1 record and a berth in the South Jersey Group I championship game … his team played a 3-4 defense … South Jersey Touchdown Club Lineman of the Year … Gloucester County Times Defensive Player of the Year … first-team Philadelphia Inquirer All-South Jersey … first-team all-county … made 73 tackles, 56 solo stops, 27 tackles for loss and 10 quarterback sacks … also caused five fumbles, broke up three passes, blocked a punt and had nine quarterback pressures … plays basketball and led the team in scoring as a senior … played AAU basketball. George Johnson Video

Matt Leemhuis
DB … 6-1 … 187 … Bethesda, Md. (Winston Churchill)
Big hitter with solid cover skills … 3 stars by Rivals.com … 2 stars by Scout.com … rated 21st in Maryland by Rivals.com … didn’t play football until the ninth grade and became a three-year starter at free safety … made more than 100 tackles and averaged 11 tackles per game and was named a second-team Big School All-State player as a senior … first-team All-Gazette and first-team all-county … second-team Washington Post All-Met … also caught 10 passes for 124 yards and two touchdowns as a wide receiver … had a breakout season as a junior and helped his team to a 10-2 record and a berth in the region finals … intercepted seven passes and finished with 85 tackles for a defense that held 10 of 12 opponents to 14 or fewer points … also plays basketball. Matt Leemhuis Video

Mike Parker
DB … 6-2 … 192 … Orlando, Fla. (Edgewater)
Excellent cover man who played both cornerback and free safety during his career … 3 stars by Rivals.com … 2 stars by Scout.com … considered the #46 safety in the country by Rivals.com … listed as the #84 player in Florida according to Rivals.com and 86th by the Orlando Sentinel … third-team all-state by the Florida Sportswriters Association … first-team All-Orange County by the Orlando Sentinel … helped his team to an 11-2 record and an appearance in the state quarterfinals during his senior year, while earning all-district honors … made 48 tackles, intercepted three passes and had 10 pass break-ups … his team was 23-4 his last two years, and was runner up in the state 6A playoffs during his sophomore and junior seasons … an excellent hurdler on the track team … conference champion in the 300m hurdles as a junior when he earned all-county honors and second-team All-Central Florida by the Orlando Sentinel. Mike Parker Video

Keith Payne
RB … 6-3 … 195 … Oak Hill, Va. (Oakton)
Powerful ball carrier … 3 stars by Rivals.com and Scout.com … PrepStar All-Atlantic Region … #91 on Scout.com’s East Region Hot 100… Orlando Sentinel All-South … ranked as the eighth-best player in Virginia by the Roanoke Times, 12th by TheSabre.com, 18th on the Charlottesville Daily Progress “Gold List,” 20th by Scout.com and 25th by Rivals.com … had a huge senior year in leading his team to the state championship in the highest classification, its first state title, with a 12-2 record … named Class AAA Player of the Year by the Associated Press … first-team All-State by the Associated Press and the coaches association … Times Community Newspapers All-Around Player of the Year … DC Examiner Player of the Year … first-team All-Examiner … Sun Gazette Offensive Player of the Year … … first-team Washington Post All-Met … Concorde District Player of the Year … first-team All-Northern Region … 273 rushes for 2059 yards and 26 touchdowns … also caught two touchdown passes … had four 200-yard games … played every down in the state championship game against undefeated Lansdowne … rushed for a career-high 250 yards on 25 carries and scored four touchdowns … defensively he shadowed Percy Harvin from his outside linebacker spot and held him to just 49 total yards of offense … led his team to the region title with 247 yards and five touchdowns in the regional title game … was an honorable mention Washington Post All-Met selection as a junior … named first-team all-region and all-district as his team won the district championship with a 10-2 record … had 157 carries for more than 1100 yards and 17 touchdowns … also caught 13 passes for 240 yards and two more scores … a member of the state champion lacrosse team as a junior. Keith Payne Video

Almondo Sewell
LB/FB … 6-1 … 235 … Trenton, N.J. (Trenton Central)
Fearsome defensive stopper … 3 stars by Scout.com and 2 stars by Rivals.com … ranked the third-best inside linebacker in the country by Max Emfinger … listed as the #97 linebacker nationally by Scout.com … rated as the #18 player in New Jersey by Scout.com and #29 by Rivals.com … PrepStar All-Big East/Independent Region … third-team all-state as a senior … first-team All-South Jersey by the Newark Star-Ledger … made 125 tackles, caused seven fumbles, had three quarterback sacks and an interception in just eight games … set a state record with 55 tackles in a three-game span … had 11 tackles, including two for loss, and caused a fumble in Max Emfinger’s All-American Bowl in Louisiana in January 2006 … finished his junior year with 92 tackles, including 35 solo, and a quarterback sack … rushed 82 times for 756 yards and 11 touchdowns as a fullback … throws the shot put for the indoor track team and plays baseball. Almondo Sewell Video

Jack Shields
TE/LB … 6-5 … 254 .. Duxbury, Mass. (Boston College HS)
Talented tight end prospect with good size … starter since his freshman year … began his high school career with a two-touchdown performance in his first game … 2 stars by Rivals.com and Scout.com … PrepStar All-Big East/Independent Region … rated as the #17 player in New England by both Rivals.com and Scout.com … as a senior he had 25 catches for almost 400 receiving yards and five touchdowns on a run-oriented team … also finished with 7.5 quarterback sacks, two fumble recoveries and blocked three punts defensively … Boston Globe Catholic League All-Star as a junior and senior … had nine sacks, caused three fumbles and recovered two to earn all-state honors at defensive end as a junior … played wide receiver as a freshman and sophomore before switching to tight end for his junior season … his father, Jack, was a middle linebacker at Notre Dame from 1979-82. Jack Shields Video

Gavin Smith
DL … 6-2 … 270 … Raleigh, N.C. (Wakefield)
Strong and tough defensive lineman who started all four years … 3 stars by Rivals.com … 2 stars by Scout.com … ranked the 43rd-best defensive tackle in the nation by Rivals.com … rated the #62 defensive end in the country by ESPN.com … PrepStar All-Atlantic Region … listed the #13 player in North Carolina by Rivals.com and #30 by Scout.com … All-State as a senior by NCPreps.com … his team was 14-1 his senior year, with the only loss coming in the region championship game … made more than 70 tackles and caused three fumbles to earn all-conference honors at defensive tackle as a junior … also a standout wrestler who was the state runner-up at 275 as a junior and had a 46-5 record. Gavin Smith Video

Joe Torchia
TE/DE … 6-5 … 234 … Cold Spring, N.Y. (Queen of Peace)
One of the top tight ends in the country … PrepStar All-American … CSTV.com SuperProspect … rated the 11th-best tight end in the nation by Rivals.com, #15 by Collegefootballnews.com, 20th by ESPN.com and #31 by Scout.com … listed as the #11 tight end on the PrepStar 200 … 4 stars by Rivals.com … 3 stars according to Scout.com … #66 on Scout.com’s East Region Hot 100… ranked the #8 player in New Jersey by Rivals.com and 15th by Scout.com … MaxPreps top-20 players in the state … second-team all-state tight end by the Associated Press as a senior … third-team all-state defensive end by the Newark Star-Ledger … first-team all-non public school defensive end by the Newark Star-Ledger … Newark Star-Ledger first-team all-Bergen County tight end as a junior and senior … also earned first-team all-Northern Jersey, all-county and all-league both years … caught 21 passes for 266 yards and six touchdowns … also scored two rushing touchdowns … made 59 tackles at defensive end, including 12 quarterback sacks … earned second-team all-state honors from the Associated Press as a junior … team went 10-1 and was the Group 2 non-public state champion for the first time in its history … 21 receptions for 567 yards and six scores … had 58 tackles, nine quarterback sacks and recovered two fumbles … spent his sophomore season at Haldane High School where he was a three-sport standout in football, basketball and baseball … also plays basketball at Queen of Peace … makes a 100-mile round-trip each day to attend Queen of Peace because of its curriculum … national honor society member … volunteer fire fighter. Joe Torchia Video

Marc Verica
QB … 6-2 … 186 … Lansdowne, Pa. (Monsignor Bonner)
Accomplished passer … 2 stars by Rivals.com and Scout.com … rated the #71 quarterback in the country by Scout.com … PrepStar All-Big East/Independent Region … Rival.com’s #44 player in Pennsylvania and #53 by Scout.com … completed 81 of 160 passes for 899 yards and three touchdowns in just nine games as a senior … missed two games due to an injury and his team lost both … all-catholic, all-county, all-city and offensive most valuable player as a junior … completed 112 passes in 222 attempts for 1545 yards and eight scores … also scored two rushing touchdowns … his quarterback coach in high school, Ernie Forchetti, was Matt Schaub’s quarterback coach in high school and coached Marc’s father at Kutztown State. Marc Verica Video

O.C. Wardlow
QB … 6-0 … 170 … Winston-Salem, N.C. (Mount Tabor)
Athletic signal-caller who was a starter throughout his career … PrepStar All-American … SuperProspect by CSTV.com … Rivals 250 … 4 stars by Rivals.com … 3 stars by Scout.com … listed as the #17 athlete on the PrepStar 200 … rated the #20 athlete in the nation by Rivals.com … 29th-best quarterback prospect nationally according to Scout.com and #89 by ESPN.com … ranked 93rd on Scout.com’s East Region Hot 100 … ranked as the #6 player in North Carolina by Rivals.com, 12th by the Charlotte Observer and 14th by Scout.com … first-team all-state by NCPreps.com as a senior … played in the Shrine Bowl following his senior season … two-time first-team all-Northwest Region by the Winston-Salem Journal … earned all-Piedmont honors from the Charlotte Observer his senior year … completed 120 of 240 passes for 2382 yards and 27 touchdowns … also averaged 36.4 yards as the team’s punter … Greensboro News & Record Offensive Player of the Year and All-Metro 4A as a junior … conference offensive player of the year and first-team all-conference … completed 110 of 226 attempts for 2052 yards and 25 touchdowns … also rushed for more than 500 yards and scored five times … team was state runner-up during his sophomore year when the hit on 91 of 199 pass attempts for 1755 yards and 21 touchdowns … earned all-metro conference honors as a freshman. O.C. Wardlow Video

Trey Womack
DB/WR … 5-11 … 162 … Springfield, Pa. (Malvern Prep)
Speedy dual threat … started on the varsity since his freshman season … 3 stars by Rivals.com … 2 stars by Scout.com … PrepStar All-Big East/Independent Region … ranked as the #155 wide receiver nationally by ESPN.com … rated the #33 player in Pennsylvania by Scout.com … Harrisburg Patriot-News Platinum 33 … second-team class AAAA all-state as a senior on a team that logged a 10-1 record … team captain … played wide receiver and cornerback … caught 26 passes for 584 yards and two touchdowns … also rushed for a touchdown … earned all-conference, all-county and honorable mention all-city honors during his junior year … gained 420 yards on 21 catches and scored twice … rushed 22 times for 149 yards and three touchdowns … caught five passes for a 28.0-yard average and one touchdown as a sophomore … transferred to Malvern Prep as a sophomore after playing at Springfield High as a freshman … played against fellow signee Marc Verica’s team twice … also a track standout … won the 100m and was second in the 200m and high jump as his school claimed the conference championship for the second year in a row during his junior year. Trey Womack Video