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Aug. 7, 2007
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 19 lettermen 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 so many starters, one can be sure there will be plenty of competition for playing time once training camp 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.”
OFFENSE
Quarterback
For Groh, football begins with the quarterback, a position he calls the most important in all of sports. Jameel Sewell started the final nine games last season as a redshirt freshman and 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. He finished 11th in the ACC in both passing efficiency and total offense and was also second among league quarterbacks in rushing with 200 yards and four scores.
Sewell had offseason wrist surgery that limited him in the spring. He was a full participant in the team’s summer offseason workout program, but Groh said, “only real action will tell where that circumstance is.”Due to Sewell’s limited availability in the spring, most of the turns went to junior Scott Deke and redshirt freshman Marc Verica. “Scott had the opportunity to show some things and do some things in the spring he hasn’t previously,” said Groh. “He has a much better idea where the ball should go. Now his deal is going to be improving his accuracy to go along with that.”
Verica was on the scout team last year as a true freshman. “He has good athletic ability within the pocket, where he can slide, quickly reset and throw the ball,” said Groh. “Unless the guy is going to be a dynamic outside-the-pocket running threat, that’s really where it is the most important because that is where it happens the most.”
Redshirt freshman Patch Duda joined the team as a walk-on last year and also worked with the scout team.
Tight End/Wide Receiver
Beginning with Chris Luzar, 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 enters his third year as a starter in 2007. Last year he finished fourth in receiving among ACC tight ends with 29 receptions for 253 yards and one touchdown. “What we see him is is a guy like Dallas Clark for the Indianapolis Colts,” said Groh. “He is a tight end, but he’ll line up in the backfield, on the wing, in the slot. They do a lot of versatile things with him. Those would be some of the things Tom could do.”
Stupar joins 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 with 15 receptions last year.
One of the strongest players on the team, Phillips has been 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.
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 joined the team in the spring.
Junior wide receiver 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. However, he injured his knee during the spring and had surgery, and could be out for the season.
Ogletree’s situation is expected to open things up for several untested prospects, including senior Chris Gorham and redshirt freshman Staton Jobe. Gorham moved to the offensive side of the ball where he will have the best opportunity to compete for playing time after playing cornerback his first three years in the program. Jobe has “a real commitment and a good work ethic” according to Groh and will have every opportunity to work his way into the mix.
On the other side, Maurice Covington looks to be the one to move into the spot vacated by the graduated Fontel Mines. He caught six passes last fall and at 6-4, 215, he is a big target for Sewell to spot. “He is very purposeful in what he is doing,” said Groh. “He knows that this is his time. He has been through a lot of practices here. He knows how we are trying to coach him and the things we are trying to do.”
Junior Cary Koch and redshirt freshman Chris Dalton are both expected to push Covington for playing time. Koch transferred to UVa from Tulane last season and played in two games with one reception. As a freshman at Tulane in 2005 he caught 23 passes for 308 yards and was named to the Conference USA All-Freshman Team. Dalton is a burner who made an impression on the scout team last year.
As mentioned, sophomore Mikell Simpson is also likely to get on the field in the receiver group, in addition to his duties in the backfield, in an effort to best use his talents. Redshirt freshman Zach Mendez-Zfass will also be given the opportunity to earn playing time during training camp.
Running Back
Junior Cedric Peerman, the team’s second-leading returning rusher, is the leading candidate to replace last year’s leading rusher Jason Snelling. A physical runner despite his size (5-10, 208), he rushed for 153 yards a year ago. “I saw a lot of resolve and grit in Cedric in the spring,” said Groh. “He is an aggressive one-cut, get-it-up the field runner and he got back to that real good in the spring.”
Redshirt freshmen Keith Payne and Raynard Horne get their first chance to gain meaningful minutes after spending time on the scout team. They bring differing running styles, which could provide a nice complement to one another. At 6-0, 205, Horne is more of a slasher-type runner.
Virginia fans eagerly await the chance to see Payne run. At 6-3, 234, he is more likely to run over defensive players than around them, although he does have the ability to run past them as well.
“They both have an energy and a joy about running the ball,” said Groh of the pair of talented ballcarriers. “That was apparent when they were on the show team last year. They both have running skills and a lot of talent.”
Sophomore Mikell Simpson is a shifty speedster who appeared in six games last fall. His role expanded in the spring as he saw time at wide out, in addition to his work in the backfield, in an effort to best utilize his abilities. “We are very intent on getting full value of the particular things Mikell brings to the table,” said Groh. “His versatility is what really attracted us to him in the first place.”
Sophomore walk-on Hall Simmons is the only other veteran tailback on the roster.
Sophomore Rashawn Jackson moved from inside linebacker to fullback in the spring. Jackson is no stranger to carrying the ball however, as he averaged more than 10 yards per carry as a high school senior. “He is a size player with get-the-ball skills,” said Groh. “He will be able to get the ball out of the backfield. He will be able to run the ball inside. That will add a little diversity to that personnel grouping.”
Senior Josh Zidenberg is one of the team’s leading special teams players, but has seen limited action in the backfield in his career and has no carries.
Offensive Line
The offensive line featured three players seeing the first extended playing time of their careers. Not surprisingly, they had some rough moments, but those times provided excellent learning opportunities.
“Right now there is a noticeable difference in these players both in their individual performance and their collective performance,” said Groh in the spring. “They are certainly so far showing the benefits of the experience.”
Junior left guard Branden Albert is the “old man” of the group. Inserted into the starting line-up upon his arrival two years ago, 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 two years ago, Monroe got off to a slow start last year with a knee issue, but once that resolved itself he became a much more productive player. Chosen the most improved player on offense in the spring, his continued development will go a long way toward solidifying the line this year.
Senior center Jordy Lipsey was steady last season, his first as the starter. An underrated snapper he does an excellent job working out of the shotgun and preventing pressure up the middle. “He had a really good spring and is turning into a real positive player for us,” said Groh.
Senior right guard Ian-Yates Cunningham was healthy last year and proved to be a rock at right guard. Along with Lipsey, he serves as the line’s ironman who rarely comes out of a game. An intelligent player 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.
“I think the most important thing is the experience of these linemen and the confidence they gained last year,” said Groh. “That is probably, besides the quarterback position, one of the most significant positions for a player to gain confidence in, primarily because of the physical fight up there. Last year we had essentially three-and-a-half or four first-time starters. Through the last four or five games they had pretty good results; not spectacular, but certainly much improved. That is where it all starts. I would like to think that (we will be more explosive and able to stretch the field more this year.)”
Junior Zak Stair, who made seven starts at left tackle last fall, has the ability to play both tackle spots and is the only other lineman on the roster with any game experience.
Senior Gordie Sammis headlines the reserves at guard. He brings a solid knowledge of the schemes. 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. Walk-on Isaac Cain joins the reserve corps.
Jack Shields worked as a tight end while redshirting last year and was moved to center in the spring and looks to be Lipsey’s heir apparent.
Building depth and cohesion was one of Groh’s goals for the line in the spring. “All of them are back from last year, so the first-line guys are more efficient and cohesive and the second line guys seem to be, too. They all seem to be profiting from having done these things here for an extended period of time.”
DEFENSE
Defensive Line
The unquestioned team leader, All-American defensive end Chris Long headlines the line. A high motor player who faced almost constant double teaming last year, he creates havoc by drawing penalties 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.
“At the end of the season last year there was no player in (the ACC) that was harder to block than he was,” said Groh. “And all he wants to do is win. Everything that Chris thinks and does is motivated by how many games the team can win. When your best player is focused squarely on winning, then that really sets a great standard on your team. He certainly will be one of the premier defensive players in the country this year.”
Sophomore Jeffrey Fitzgerald exploded onto the national scene last year at the end opposite Long. He earned first-team freshman All-American honors after leading the team with six sacks, third nationally among freshmen. With a year’s experience, he is poised for another productive campaign. “There are not too many things that are going on now that he has not been exposed to,” said Groh. “Last year, every look was a new look, every experience was a brand new one. Not only had he been away from football for a long time, but the position he was playing was distinctively different from the one he played in high school. He was coming in as cold to that position last year as a player can.”
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. “Allen had a very positive spring,” said Groh. “He was pretty frisky during the spring with the way he felt (after last season).”
Nate Collins was the only true freshman to see action last season. He played both inside and outside and averaged 1.4 stops per game.
Junior Alex Field and sophomores Kevin Crawford and Jason Fuller are the most experienced linemen in terms of game action. Field had a particularly good spring according to Groh and will be expected to get on the field for increased turns this season. Crawford and Fuller played limited roles last season, but their continued growth and development will enable the starters to get a periodic rest. Redshirt freshman Sean Gottschalk was on the travel squad in 2006 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
Like the line, all four starters return at linebacker 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.
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 was named the team’s Rock Weir Award winner for the defense as the most improved player in the spring. “He is very meticulous and he wants to get everything right,” said Groh. “Part of what you have to do at linebacker is to just cut it loose. As he got more confident to do that, his production stepped up the second half of the year and that confidence and the quickness of his reaction has carried forth.”
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 with 48 tackles. “Last year was the first time he got a lot of action,” said Groh. “What he is showing now with this fifth year is: he has seen most of what he is going to see. He recognizes it real fast. You don’t have to coach him on everything. He is really showing the benefits of the exposure he has gotten.”
Junior Clint Sintim plays outside opposite Dias. He played last year with an injured shoulder and had surgery following the season that limited him in the spring. His injury mitigated his ability to make some of the plays he made the year before, but “I thought his overall game did step up last year,” said Groh. “He did not have those eye-catching plays that we are looking for from that spot. He is working hard to prepare himself to make the kinds of plays that will really impact the game.”
Competition should be lively for playing time behind Dias and Sintim. Junior Aaron Clark has seen limited time, but is ready to make a move for more action. “Aaron was really showing after two falls and a spring that the multiple things an outside linebacker has to do here were starting to click in reactively for him,” said Groh.
Two sophomores–Olu Hall and Denzel Burrell–are also expected to battle for playing time after seeing little or no time last fall. 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. “What is apparent every time Olu is out there is his burst,” said Groh in the spring, “and his quickness and how he really speeds up the game for us.”
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. John-Kevin Dolce, who redshirted last season, got his first taste of meaningful time in the spring and could crack into the rotation.
John Bivens and Darnell Carter are highly regarded redshirt freshmen that will be ready to make their presence felt as they attempt get turns behind Copper and Appleby. The hard-hitting Bivens had a productive spring and has a knack for finding the ball, while Carter has excellent size and speed. Sophomore Darren Childs is a physical player who got into two games last year and the only other player other than the starters to see game action inside. Junior Bernie McKeever and redshirt freshman walk-on Daniel Childress are also in the mix for reserve action and special teams.
Secondary
While Groh maintains that competition determines all positions, the secondary is the one unit with guaranteed opportunities for new faces.
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.
Junior Byron Glaspy joins Lyles as the last line of defense. He started the final 11 games a year ago and led the safeties with 56 tackles.
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. 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 bid for time.
Groh and his staff spent the spring getting the cornerbacks acclimated to playing both sides of the field as the unit is finally starting to look like what he feels it should look like.
Junior Chris Cook is an underrated athlete who had a very productive year in 2006 as a first-time starter. He tied for third among ACC CBs in tackling with an average of 4.8 stops per game.
Sophomore Vic Hall is expected to get the nod in the starting spot vacated with the graduation of Marcus Hamilton, last year’s interception leader. He was engaged in an intense competition throughout the spring with junior Mike Brown, but Brown injured his knee during summer workouts. He subsequently had surgery and is expected to miss the season.
Redshirt freshmen Mike Parker and Trey Womack came to UVa with impressive credentials. With the injury to Brown, their opportunity to contribute has increased significantly. “They both did a nice job in the spring,” said Groh, “and profited from getting out there.” 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 11 of 19 field goals and 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.
One of the goals of the spring was working on improvement in the kicking game. “The difference in a lot of games is not really whether you dominate anybody,” said Groh, “it’s–can you find up a way to end up with a few more points than they do? Then your field goal kicking becomes a big issue. One of the things that changed from 2005 to 2006 was that we went from being 22 for 25 on field goals to 12 for 21. Clearly that is below the standard of what we are used to and we have to improve in that particular area.”
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, the highest by a Virginia punter in six years. “Hopefully a year’s experience and the heavy pressure work we did with him in the spring will have ready for the fall,” said Groh. “It is obviously a very significant thing for our team.”
Sophomore John Thornton joined the team as a walk-on punter during last season and could see action during his career.