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login | create account2008 Virginia Football SigneesFor more information on each recruit, select their name and you will be sent to their capsule. Special thanks to Virginia's Media Relations Department for extended summaries of each player. Be sure visit VirginiaSports.com for up to date information on Virginia athletics. Also, VirginiaSportsTV.com has video and commentary on each recruit.
With the news that Jameel Sewell would likely out for the 2008 season, all of the sudden adding a quarterback in this class became a priority instead of a luxury. The staff ultimately settled on Smalls, a player whose abilities should be nicely suited for the offense the staff ran last season. A terrific athlete (he claims to have run a 4.35 in the 40 and a 3.89 in the pro shuttle), Smalls has the ability to make plays in the running game but is more of a pass-first signal caller. He turned in a fine senior season, throwing for close to 3,000 yards with 33 touchdowns and only 11 interceptions. He rebounded after a junior season in which he missed over half of the regular season due to a broken collarbone. | Player's Recruiting Profile | Return to Top of Page |
Virginia's most highly rated recruit, Mack was one of the staff's top targets at the running back position. A tough runner with breakaway speed, Mack, who averaged 13.7 yards per carry and rushed for 20 touchdowns last season, has a "rare combination of power and speed," Stratford head coach Duane Shirden said. A solid receiver out of the backfield, the Connecticut star has the versatility the staff covets in its running backs. In Mack, Virginia has a talented tailback that should fit this offense very well. | Player's Recruiting Profile | Return to Top of Page |
An accomplished track star, Brown has been timed in the 100 meters in 10.6 seconds according to Northeast offensive coordinator Millard Vining. A red-shirt year would likely serve him well, as Brown could use a year to add strength and size and of course to polish up his receiving skills. If he develops, Brown certainly has the speed to become a big play target for the Cavaliers down the road. | Player's Recruiting Profile | Return to Top of Page |
Of Virginia's three tight end recruits, Phillips is the more traditional prospect. He has the size typical of many Virginia tight ends - about 6-6, about 240 pounds - and he should develop into a solid blocker and receiver. Though he did not see a whole lot of passes go his way in his senior year, Phillips felt that he improved his route running and receiving ability. He should be another solid tight end for the Cavaliers in the years to come. Defensive end could be a possibility as well, but tight end is the initial projection. | Player's Recruiting Profile | Return to Top of Page |
A versatile player, Schautz played wide receiver and a safety/linebacker role in his senior season. He played quarterback earlier in his high school career. A good receiver, Schautz could play more of an H-Back role for the Cavaliers. The coaches likened his abilities to those of Tom Santi, so look for the Bergen Catholic standout to be lined up at different spots on the field such as fullback, tight end and wide receiver. Schautz could also get a look at outside linebacker if he were to move to defense. | Player's Recruiting Profile | Return to Top of Page |
Al Groh's first recruit out of Highland Springs High School, Wheeler is another athletic, versatile tight end prospect. Like Billy Schautz, he saw much of his action at wide receiver. Wheeler has the versatility the line up at several different positions depending on the offensive set. Though he does not have blazing speed, he is a good overall athlete with excellent hands. He can really go up and get the ball and had a reputation for making difficult catches in his time as a Springer. | Player's Recruiting Profile | Return to Top of Page |
Mihalik was a player that the Virginia staff targeted very early on following an impressive summer camp performance in 2006. In fact, he committed shortly after receiving an offer at the beginning of his junior year. Head coach Al Groh likes those versatile, athletic offensive linemen and Mihalik fits that bill, having played football, basketball and baseball in his time at Gilmour. The Ohio standout turned in an outstanding senior season, grading out at 97.6 percent on the year. | Player's Recruiting Profile | Return to Top of Page |
The Canadian star came very highly recommended by Fork Union postgraduate head coach John Shuman, who discovered the massive lineman in a preseason scrimmage last summer. In what was his first and only season at Fork Union, Pasztor started at left tackle every game for the postgraduate team. Pasztor certainly has the size for the next level. A red-shirt year is likely in order to improve strength and footwork, but there is some potential here. | Player's Recruiting Profile | Return to Top of Page |
Those who see Van Kuiken in person rave about his size. Every bit of 6-7, 300-plus pounds, Van Kuiken's stature is indeed impressive. Moreover, he has the versatility the staff is looking for, having played on the varsity basketball squad throughout his high school career. Van Kuiken thought of himself as a potential basketball recruit before realizing his potential in football. He only really started focusing on the gridiron after his sophomore year. | Player's Recruiting Profile | Return to Top of Page |
Price projects initially as a defensive end at Virginia, but he could potentially move over to the offensive side of the ball. He has the versatility to end up on either side of the ball. A player with good speed for his size, Price has run the 40-yard dash in 4.9 seconds. He played defensive end in Great Bridge's 3-3-5 defensive scheme, so he has some background into the role he may play in Virginia's 3-4 set. If he moves to offense, look for him to be an interior lineman. | Player's Recruiting Profile | Return to Top of Page |
Very strong and a good athlete for his size, Ruff has been a solid performer on both sides of the ball. On defense, he led Norview in tackles each of the past two seasons despite facing consistent double and triple teams. He will play defense at Virginia and, because he could play defensive end or nose tackle, brings versatility to the defensive line. Norview ran a 3-3-5 defense, so Ruff is familiar with a three down linemen set. Look for the Tidewater standout to be a defensive tackle in four down linemen sets as well. In what is a common theme with UVa linemen, Ruff also played basketball throughout high school. | Player's Recruiting Profile | Return to Top of Page |
A true raw talent, Allen only played one season on the high school football level. Prior to 2007, Allen had only played on the varsity basketball squad. He performed very well in his one season, racking up 11 sacks for head coach Al Hughes. Where Allen ultimately projects position-wise depends on how he develops physically in the next few years. Defensive end is probably the likeliest spot, but outside linebacker is certainly a possibility as well. | Player's Recruiting Profile | Return to Top of Page |
After a productive junior season in which he led his team in tackles, Greer trained extremely hard, eyeing an even better senior year. The work certainly paid off. Greer turned in a 150-tackle season in 2007 and also became a Division 1A target, ultimately choosing Virginia over offers from North Carolina and Oklahoma State. Solon head coach Jim McQuaide raves about Greer's closing speed and ability to make the big hits. Look for the Solon team captain to start out at inside linebacker for the Cavaliers. | Player's Recruiting Profile | Return to Top of Page |
Johnson, who played wide receiver and safety at Gonzaga, may initially start out at safety at Virginia. However, his greatest upside may be at outside linebacker, a position to which he would add tremendous speed and athleticism. Johnson is looking to make his presence felt in basketball as well. An accomplished basketball player, the D.C. area standout plans to play both football and basketball at the University of Virginia. | Player's Recruiting Profile | Return to Top of Page |
Walcott was an outstanding overall athlete at Hackensack. He has good speed, has jumped 6'3" in the high jump in track and also has run in the 110-meter hurdles. Walcott played a variety of positions for Hackensack, performing especially well at running back in his senior season. With his size and athleticism, the Garden State standout would seem to have a lot of potential as an outside linebacker for the Cavaliers but will initially start out as a safety. | Player's Recruiting Profile | Return to Top of Page |
Playing for one of the top high school football programs in the country, McLeod played cornerback and wide receiver throughout his high school career. He has potential and ability on either side of the ball, so where he finally ends up at Virginia could depend on need. Initially, he will start out at cornerback. He has terrific agility, quickness and speed to play that position, but could also be an effective receiver if given the opportunity. | Player's Recruiting Profile | Return to Top of Page |
A physical specimen, Wallace has the physique of a college upperclassman. He also has terrific speed, having consistently run a sub-4.5 in the 40-yard dash. He will start out at cornerback at Virginia but a move to safety isn't out of the question. Wallace played for one of the most talented, if not the most talented, high school football programs in the state of Maryland. | Player's Recruiting Profile | Return to Top of Page |
A versatile player, Howell played quarterback as well as punter for West Florence. Though he could potentially play tight end in college, punter is the position the Virginia coaches recruited him to play. Possessing a strong leg, he averaged over 40 yards per punt each of his last two seasons including 43 yards per punt in his senior season. He has also displayed the touch to pin the opposition inside its own 20-yard line. | Player's Recruiting Profile | Return to Top of Page | |
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