Football Features 
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
TheSabre.com
Your source for independent coverage and discussion of University of Virginia sports
Football Features
Memphis University School (Memphis, TN) place-kicker Gary Wunderlich has made his decision, and the news is positive for the University of Virginia. The 6'0", 180-pound rising senior verbally committed to Mike London and company Tuesday evening, choosing the Hoos over an offer from Texas A&M.
Most of Virginia's class of 2013 and some top overall targets in the class of 2014 were in attendance for the Spring Game this past Saturday. Rising senior DL Jeremiah Clarke discusses his latest experience in Charlottesville in this "Sabre Scoop," which also includes the latest on a possible decision from top place-kicker Gary Wunderlich.
Leafless trees served as the backdrop for the Virginia football team's annual Spring Game on April's first Saturday. While signs of new life hadn't hit the limbs yet, they were everywhere on the field for the Cavaliers as the Orange and Blue teams squared off with new coordinators calling the shots and new faces getting chances at many positions. The afternoon resulted in an 18-15 win for the Orange team and provided a glimpse of some of the alterations in Charlottesville.
Coach Mike London is heading into his fourth season as head coach of the Virginia football program. London's journey as head coach at UVa has seen its highs and lows over the course of his first three years on the job. What will year four bring? In the latest edition of "The Sabre Interview" series, I caught up with London to talk about the 2013 schedule, the program's future, and much, much more.
Virginia running back Clifton Richardson didn't feel like himself on the field until late last year. A preseason hamstring injury hampered his sophomore season from August to November and by the time the leg felt right again, the Cavaliers' 2012 campaign had ended. Richardson said he has trimmed down and defined his muscles during the offseason as part of his quest for carries in 2013. Read about that and more in these spring practice notes.
With Chancellor (Fredericksburg, VA) 4-star offensive tackle Steven Moss' recent commitment, Virginia now has three pledges in the class: 5-star safety Quin Blanding (projected as a free safety), Moss, and defensive tackle Chris Nelson. If the estimated final range holds true, Virginia will take 11-15 more players in this recruiting class. My previous "Strategy Sessions" for class of 2014 recruiting focused on quarterback, running back, wide receiver, tight end, offensive line, defensive line, and linebacker. This time, I take a look at the secondary and specialists.
The Virginia football team has been hard at work at spring practice and TheSabre.com attended practice this weekend to get a glimpse at the Hoos. This free photo gallery is the perfect way to tune up for the annual Spring Game is this Saturday at Scott Stadium. There are 55 images in all!
Virginia held an open football practice and live scrimmage at Scott Stadium on Saturday. The event saw only a handful of spectators and nearly an equal number of media and recruits. Head Coach Mike London was especially interested in seeing how his quarterbacks would fair in a more game-like environment. But it was Khalek Shepherd who stole the show.
Matoaca High School (Chesterfield, VA) wide receiver Trevion Armstrong traveled down to Blacksburg this past Saturday, one of two prominent rising junior prospects from the Richmond (VA) area to attend Virginia Tech's Prospect Day. The experience really resonated with the 6'4", 210-pound prospect, who now has a new favorite school.
David Watford didn't expect to redshirt last fall. So when the quarterback competition for the Virginia football program settled and shuffled Watford into a second-year redshirt, it was hard for him. After getting over the initial disappointment, however, Watford embraced the opportunity and rededicated himself to his development.
Chancellor (Fredericksburg, VA) rising senior offensive tackle Steven Moss has visited the University of Virginia a handful of times over the course of the past year. None of those trips were as significant as the one he made last Friday and Saturday, when the 6'5", 290-pound prospect verbally committed to head coach Mike London.
Of the four players listed at tailback this spring, Virginia football fans have seen three players in action. Kevin Parks, Clifton Richardson, and Khalek Shepherd all have logged carries for the Cavaliers in their careers. The fourth, Kye Morgan, redshirted as a freshman last fall but he's hoping to enter the fray and make a name for himself in the orange and blue. TheSabre.com caught up with Morgan after practice for a "Quick Take" interview.
The Virginia football team opened spring practice this week and a lot has changed since the season ended in November. The task? The program will try to deliver two winning seasons in a three-year span for the first time since the 2005-2007 seasons. The work for that goal, of course, starts with spring practice. Here are a dozen things I'm curious about as the Wahoos get back to practice.
Virginia opened its new, $13 million indoor practice facility just in time for the first day of spring practice on Monday. Ironically, Charlottesville experienced a wintry mix of snow and sleet overnight, and a cold early morning rain at the start of practice. No matter, because Virginia Football now has the appropriately named George Welsh Indoor Practice Facility.
The state of the art facility is one of the best of its kind in the nation. It has a full-length field with run offs, a high ceiling, climate control, advanced video and editing equipment, and a number of other enhancements which gives the program an edge in team preparation and recruiting.
This report includes a write up with links to new photos and a 360 degree view of the inside of the facility, along with video comments from Coach London and links to a previous report and construction photo documentary.
Back in November, Thomas Dale (Chester, VA) junior CJ Reavis said he was "waiting on one offer. If I get it, that's it."
The 6'1", 195-pound safety prospect has yet to receive that offer, but he is hopeful it will come soon. In this latest interview, though, he admits he would not immediately accept.
TheSabre.com is an independent publication and is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the University of Virginia.
Copyright © 1996-2013 TheSabre.com All Rights Reserved Privacy Policy