Story Links
March 20, 2007
Groh Press Conference Quotes
UVa Spring Football Central
Season Ticket Information
Pro Timing Day Photo Gallery
Video: Groh on Spring Football
The Virginia football team opens its Spring Practice Wednesday at 4 p.m. on the Cavaliers’ practice fields. The practice is open to the public. Here’s the list of other open practices and the spring outlook:
Virginia Open Practices
March 21 (Wednesday) – 4 p.m.
March 24 (Saturday) – 11:45 a.m.
March 25 (Sunday) – 2:45 p.m.
April 7 (Saturday) – TBA
2007 Virginia Spring Football Outlook
Every year following the season’s final game, head coach Al Groh gathers his Cavaliers for one final time. At this time, he thanks the fourth-year players for their service and tells the returning players that the task now becomes “to put the team back together.” These players are no longer part of the “team,” but have instead moved on to be part of the extended football “family” as they embark on the next phase of their lives. The returnees form the “next” Cavalier squad and the current team is no longer.
The Cavalier football family increased by only 22 members following last season, including only three starters, leaving Groh and his coaching staff with an excellent foundation to start “putting the team back together.” Losing three starters is the fewest for the program since at least the late 1960s.
Despite the return of 19 starters, one can be sure there will be plenty of competition for playing time once practice begins. Groh’s philosophy is that playing time is earned through continual competition. For the first time in his six years at Virginia, Groh played only one true freshman in 2006, so there will be 15 hungry redshirt freshmen looking to make an impact once drills commence as Groh looks for those players “who give us the best chance to win.”
The offseason also featured one coaching change as Wayne Lineburg, a quarterback on UVa’s 1995 ACC championship squad, replaced John Garrett, who left to become tight ends coach with the Dallas Cowboys, as wide receivers coach. Lineburg brings nearly a decade of experience to Virginia after coaching at William & Mary and most recently, Richmond, where he was offensive coordinator and running backs coach.
OFFENSE
QUARTERBACK
For Groh, football begins with the quarterback, a position he calls the most important in all of sports. Jameel Sewell returns under center to begin his second year as a starter. He took the reins for the Georgia Tech game and started the last nine games at quarterback last season. There were the predictable bumps in the road as the season progressed but he gained valuable on-the-job-training for this season. As a redshirt freshman, the athletic Sewell set virtually every freshman passing record at UVa. He completed 143 of 247 passes (.579) for 1342 yards and five touchdowns. He finished 11th in the ACC in both passing efficiency and total offense. He also was second among league quarterbacks in rushing with 200 yards and four scores.
|
Quarterback Jameel Sewell |
 |
Sewell was masterful in directing the Cavaliers to their first-ever win over Miami in the season’s 11th week. He completed 23 of 33 pass attempts for 217 yards and did not throw an interception for the fifth time in his nine starts. The 23 completions are the most ever by a Cavalier rookie. He was also the team’s second-leading rusher with 41 yards on 10 carries and scored both Cavalier touchdowns on runs of 12 and two yards.
Sewell is the only quarterback on the roster who has seen game action. Fighting for the chance to get their first chance to play include junior Scott Deke and redshirt freshmen Marc Verica and Patch Duda. In his fourth year in the program, Deke is certainly familiar with the offense and now has an opportunity to put the knowledge to use. Verica was on the scout team last year as a true freshman, but he brings impressive high school credentials to Charlottesville. Duda joined the team as a walk-on last year and also worked with the scout team.
RUNNING BACK
For the third year in a row, Groh and company must replace the team’s leading rusher. Jason Snelling powered his way to 772 yards last season in his only year as the starter, but he has graduated and looks forward to continued success in the professional ranks. The candidates to replace Snelling bring a diversity of experience and skills in what will be one of the most watched and interesting battles of the offseason.
Junior Cedric Peerman is the team’s second-leading returning rusher behind Sewell. A physical runner despite his size (5-10, 205), he rushed for 153 yards a year ago, but only had eight carries the final six games of the season. However, he averaged 7.0 yards per carry on those eight attempts. With 390 career yards, he is the team’s active rushing leader. A good receiver out of the backfield, Peerman caught seven balls last season, second behind Snelling among the backs.
Sophomore Mikell Simpson is a shifty speedster who appeared in six games last fall. He ran for just 56 yards, but he showed a nice burst with an 18-yard run on his first carry against Pittsburgh. He also scored once in the win at Duke. His 4.3 yards per carry average was tops among the backs last fall.
Redshirt freshmen Raynard Horne and Keith Payne get their first chance to gain meaningful minutes beginning in the spring. They bring differing running styles, which could provide a nice complement to one another. At 6-0, 203, Horne is more of a slasher-type runner. As a senior in high school he rushed for more than 1100 yards and had a knack for finding the end zone with 24 scores.
Virginia fans–and coaches, no doubt–eagerly await the chance to see Payne run. At 6-3, 243, he is more likely to run over defensive players than around them, although he does have the ability to run past them as well. He led his high school to a state championship as a senior and was named state player of the year after running for more than 2000 yards and 26 touchdowns. Sophomore walk-on Hall Simmons is the only other tailback on the roster.
Senior Josh Zidenberg, one of the team’s leading special teams players, is the lone returning fullback, although he sees little time in the backfield and has no carries. Sophomore Rashawn Jackson, who played in the goaline package last year, moves to the position for spring drills from inside linebacker.
WIDE RECEIVER/TIGHT END
Junior Kevin Ogletree had a breakout season last year as Sewell’s favorite target. He finished as the ACC’s third-leading receiver with 52 receptions for 582 yards and four touchdowns. He was UVa’s leading receiver on five occasions while becoming only the 10th player in school history to catch at least 50 passes in a season. He had a 10-catch game (Wyoming), as well as a 100-yard game (133 vs. Maryland). His most important catch of the season was his 25-yard touchdown reception in overtime that lifted the Cavaliers to a win over Wyoming.
Ogletree’s opportunity to play came following a training camp injury to Deyon Williams, who has since graduated. The graduation of starter Fontel Mines paves the way for junior Maurice Covington to benefit as Ogletree did. He appeared in all 12 games and caught six passes, second behind Ogletree among the returning wide receivers. At 6-4, 215, he is a big target for Sewell to spot.
The only other receiver to catch a pass is junior Cary Koch. He transferred to UVa from Tulane last season and played in two games with one reception. As a freshman at Tulane in 2005 he was among the team’s top receivers with 23 catches for 308 yards and two touchdowns and was named to the Conference USA All-Freshman Team.
|
Tight end Tom Santi |
|
Senior Chris Gorham moves from cornerback to wide receiver this season. He has plenty of on-field experience with 32 career games played, but none have come on offense. He is a smooth player who should be able to use his speed to get open. Classmate Simon Manka joins Gorham as upperclassmen vying for playing time. He came to UVa on a lacrosse scholarship and joined the football team two years ago. He got into all 12 games last season, but played only special teams.
Redshirt freshman Chris Dalton is a burner who made an impression on the scout team last year. He could be the fastest receiver to play for Groh at Virginia. Redshirt freshmen Staton Jobe and Zach Mendez-Zfass will also be given the opportunity to earn playing time beginning in the spring.
Beginning with Chris Luzar, continuing through Heath Miller and Patrick Estes and now to Tom Santi, Jonathan Stupar and John Phillips, UVa has become known as “Tight End U.”
Santi, a senior, enters his third year as a starter in 2007. Known primarily for his pass-catching skills, he is also an underrated blocker who does a nice job of opening holes. Last year he finished fourth in receiving among ACC tight ends with 29 receptions for 253 yards and one touchdown. He was the team’s leading receiver on two occasions and has caught 61 passes in his career.
Stupar joins classmate Santi in the starting line-up as the offense typically opens with two tight ends. While Santi can get open down the middle, Stupar is more of an inside receiver with sure hands. He hauled in 15 passes for 112 yards a year ago. More than 45 percent of his catches last season resulted in a first down, the highest rate among returnees.
One of the strongest players of the team, Phillips, a junior, is utilized primarily in the blocking scheme. He caught just two passes, but can move with the ball as shown by a 44-yard reception against Miami.
Joe Torchia is a highly regarded prospect who redshirted last year. With Santi and Stupar in their final year, Torchia should have plenty of time to demonstrate his skills in the future.
Redshirt sophomores Andrew Dewey and Crutcher Reiss are in their third year in the program and know the system, but have yet to see any game action. Joining them is junior Anthony Konstant, who walked on to the team in the spring.
OFFENSIVE LINE
The offensive line was almost totally retooled last year and featured four new starters, including three seeing the first extended playing time of their career. Not surprisingly, they had some rough moments, but those times provided excellent learning opportunities. Lines aren’t built in a year, instead over time, and this unit is no exception.
Junior left guard Branden Albert is the “old man” of the group. Inserted into the starting line-up upon his arrival, Albert earned honorable mention All-ACC honors last year. A former basketball standout before his size became an issue (6-7, 315), he has excellent footwork and is quick and agile enough to cause trouble when getting out on the edge.
To Albert’s left is tackle Eugene Monroe. The top line recruit in the nation coming out of high school two years ago, Monroe started the first three games last season and struggled a bit before being replaced by Zak Stair. He returned to the starting line-up for the final two games and did much better. His continued development will go a long way toward solidifying the play of the line this year.
Senior Jordy Lipsey was steady in his first year as the starter at center. In his fifth year in the system, he is very familiar with the offensive scheme and grew progressively throughout the fall. He is very underrated snapper who does an excellent job working out of the shotgun and preventing pressure up the middle.
Senior Ian-Yates Cunningham was healthy all season last year and was a rock at right guard. Along with Lipsey, he serves as the line’s ironman and rarely comes out of a game. An intelligent player who is currently enrolled in graduate school, he can play either guard spot or center, an ability prized by Groh.
Sophomore Will Barker put on more than 30 pounds during his redshirt year and clearly benefited from the added size. An aggressive, physical player at right tackle, he started all 12 games last year and earned freshman All-American honors last season.
Stair, a junior, made seven starts at left tackle last fall in place of Monroe. He began the season behind Barker at right tackle and his ability to play on both ends of the line is an asset. He is the only other lineman on the roster with any game experience.
Sophomore Patrick Slebonick did not play in any games last year, but should have a chance to change his status this year. B.J. Cabbell is a promising youngster who redshirted last year as a freshman. Joining him among the guard corps is freshman walk-on Isaac Cain. Jack Shields worked as a tight end during a redshirt year last year, but will be tried at center this year.
DEFENSE
DEFENSIVE LINE
The focal point of this year’s defensive unit is end Chris Long. The unquestioned team leader, Long is a high motor player who faced almost constant double teaming last year. An All-American candidate, he creates havoc by causing penalties–which are as good as sacks–and getting into the backfield. He had five sacks, 12 tackles for loss and 21 quarterback pressures, all despite rarely being guarded by only one lineman. He averaged 4.8 tackles per game, tied for 22nd among linemen nationally.
Jeffrey Fitzgerald was the primary benefactor of the attention Long attracted last season. He responded with a standout initial campaign to earn first-team freshman All-American honors. He started all 12 games and finished with an average of 5.3 tackles per game, tops among freshmen linemen and 18th among all rookies overall. He led the team with six sacks, the third most by a UVa freshman, and ranked third nationally among freshmen. He also shared the team lead with 12 tackles for loss, fourth among all rookies and third-most in a season by a UVa freshman.
In the middle is steady senior Allen Billyk. Not a flashy player, he epitomizes the ideal nose tackle in Groh’s system with an ability to occupy blockers to allow others to make the tackle. He saw the most extensive playing time of his career last year and averaged 1.9 tackles per game.
Nate Collins was the only true freshman to see action for Virginia last season. He played both inside and outside and averaged 1.4 stops per game. Four of his 17 tackles resulted in a loss.
Junior Alex Field and sophomores Kevin Crawford and Jason Fuller are the most experienced linemen in terms of game action. They all played limited roles behind Long and Fitzgerald last season, but their continued growth and development will enable the two starters to get a periodic rest.
Redshirt freshman Sean Gottschalk was on the travel squad last season and will have his first opportunity to join the mix for playing time this season. Seniors Pete Bladel and Arthur Singleton and junior John Roberts provide additional depth along the line.
LINEBACKER
As with the line, all four starters return at linebacker in 2007 giving the Cavaliers among the most experienced units in school history. Junior inside linebacker Jon Copper came to school with little fanfare but carved himself a niche through hard work and determination. He was the team’s leading tackler, averaging 6.8 tackles per game to rank 13th in the ACC. Somewhat of a Cal Ripken Ironman-type of player, who played nearly every play last fall, his four sacks were tied for fifth among ACC linebackers.
|
Linebacker Jon Copper |
|
Junior inside `backer Antonio Appleby was the team’s second-leading tackler with an average of 5.7 stops per game. Fast and strong, he picked up his play late in the season and was the top tackler in two of the final four games.
Jermaine Dias returns for his senior season at one outside spot. Playing healthy for the first time in his career, he had his most production season as a result. He made 48 tackles, including eight for loss.
Junior Clint Sintim plays outside opposite Dias. He battled consistency issues last year as his tackling average dropped below four per game (3.8). He got the most out of his tackles, however, and shared the team lead with 12 tackles for loss, and had four sacks.
Competition should be lively for playing time backing up Dias and Sintim. Junior Aaron Clark has seen limited action in his first two years in the program. Sophomore Denzel Burrell was penciled in for time in the nickel package but he injured his knee early in the season and missed the final 10 games.
Sophomore Darren Childs is a physical player who got into two games last year and is the only other player with game action inside.
A talented group of younger players join this group fighting to get onto the field. Olu Hall played in eight games as a true freshman two years ago, but sat out last year to concentrate on his classwork. He is a dynamic pass rusher who could have an impact in the pass rush this season. John Bivens, Darnell Carter and John-Kevin Dolce are all highly regarded redshirt freshmen that will be ready to make their presence felt as they attempt to get onto the field.
Junior Bernie McKeever and redshirt freshman walk-on Daniel Childress are also in the mix for reserve action.
SECONDARY
While Groh maintains that all positions have to be fought for, the secondary is the one defensive unit with guaranteed opportunities for new faces to gain starting nods.
Senior safety Nate Lyles is a powerful hitter and headlines the defensive backfield. The most experienced player with 18 career starts, he was in on a career-high 46 tackles last season. He also intercepted one pass and is the only active safety with an interception.
Junior Byron Glaspy joins Lyles as the last line of defense. An intelligent player currently enrolled in UVa’s engineering school, he started the final 11 games a year ago and led the safeties with 56 tackles, with a high of 10 in the finale against Virginia Tech.
|
Safety Nate Lyles |
|
Senior Jamaal Jackson has been a steady back-up throughout his career, but has the experience to make a healthy addition to the competition for playing time. He finished with 10 tackles last fall. Sophomore Brandon Woods is another standout special teams player who saw limited playing time in the secondary last year. Benefiting from his teams action, he is expected to join Jackson in the fight to get onto the field. Rico Bell and Matt Leemhuis were redshirted last year as freshmen, but they are both expected to be significant competitors in the grueling duels for action.
Junior Chris Cook is an underrated athlete who had a very productive year in 2006 as a first-time starter at cornerback. He tied for third among ACC CBs in tackling with an average of 4.8 stops per game. He also broke up a team-leading five passes and had one interception.
Several players are expected to join the competition to move into the starting spot vacated due to the graduation of Marcus Hamilton, last year’s interception leader. Junior Mike Brown has lettered twice in his career and made four career starts. His playing time in the secondary decreased late in the season but he continued his standout work on special teams. Another excellent special teams player expected to be involved in the competition is sophomore Vic Hall. He saw spot duty in the nickel package last year, mainly early in the campaign. Both Brown and Hall finished with 13 tackles.
Playing time won’t be just handed to Brown and Hall. Redshirt freshmen Mike Parker and Trey Womack came to UVa with impressive credentials and will battle for playing time, either as starters or in a reserve capacity. Parker practiced at both corner and safety last fall. Walk-ons Donald Hickman and Brandon Jarvis provide additional reserve support.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Both kicking specialists return for 2007, led by senior Chris Gould who handled both the punting and placekicking responsibilities a year ago. He made all 18 extra points, 11 of 19 field goals and was the team’s leading scorer with 51 points. He also sent 21 of his 42 kickoffs into the end zone for touchbacks. As the punter, he averaged 38.4 yards per kick and set a school record by dropping 29 punts inside the 20-yard line.
Senior Ryan Weigand took over most of the punting duties for the final month of the season and averaged 42.4 yards on 24 punts. He boomed five at least 50 yards and placed four inside the 20. His average was the highest by a UVa punter in six years.
Senior Noah Greenbaum returns to battle Gould for the placekicking duties. He made one of two field goal attempts last season.
Redshirt freshman John Thornton joined the team as a walk-on punter during last season and could see action during his career.