The Virginia football team opened fall practice Monday evening in front of a crowd that included University President Teresa Sullivan and both the men’s and women’s basketball teams. With kickoff against UCLA just weeks away, the beginning of practice at the McCue Center fields represented the first steps to turn around last year’s 2-10 record.
Cavalier coach Mike London said the focus from day one is on improving.
“For us, it’s about performing and producing and getting better and making sure that becomes a staple of what we do,” London said. “The players are excited about an opportunity to get on the field and perform, and perform in a way that is representative of the type of young men we have here.”
Monday also marked the beginning of what will be a very busy week for the players. The University’s final summer school session winds down this week. The start of fall practice doesn’t often overlap with the academic calendar in that way so the players will be juggling the close of classes with the start of full practice schedules for a few days.
“The last day is on Friday with exams,” London said. “We’re very much in tune with that. We’re in tune to the fact that they’re students first and the opportunity to fulfill their obligations for that is paramount. … We are in tune to the fact that it’s important for them to get their grades, be eligible, and become educated men. That’s the message.”
That’s one reason the practices this week have been scheduled to start at 7:15 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday’s sessions are also open to fans. The only other opportunity to see the team before the UCLA opener is at Meet the Team Day, which is scheduled for Sunday, Aug. 17 from 1 to 2:30 p.m.
Blanding’s First Day
Freshman Quin Blanding opened his first Virginia practice alongside All-American safety Anthony Harris. The five-star recruit’s sink or swim treatment with the first team defense is a chance to evaluate exactly how much he may be able to contribute as a true freshman.
“He’s lining up there because with this recruiting class we’re going to give some individuals opportunities to play early. He’s being evaluated like everyone else,” London said. “If he can maintain the techniques, the fundamentals, and the calls like we expect, then he’ll be there. If not, next man up mentality.”
If Blanding can rise to the challenge, it could give the Cavaliers a lot of flexibility. Brandon Phelps, last season’s safety starter, spent the first practice as a first-team cornerback. That versatility has allowed Phelps to bounce back and forth between the secondary roles in his career, but corner may be a more comfortable spot for him. Phelps played where Demetrious Nicholson would line up; Nicholson dressed but did not participate.
A Junior?!
While Blanding’s UVa career just started, defensive end Eli Harold is in his third fall training camp. So is Harold just a junior or already a junior?
“That’s a trick question. I don’t know how to answer that,” Harold said with a chuckle. “Like I said, I’m shocked. It’s my third go round. It came so fast. I remember it was just yesterday that I committed. Three years ago from two days ago. I committed on my mother’s birthday. It was her birthday August 2. Time flies. I’m 20 now. Getting bigger, better, stronger. It’s just incredible what God can do. Just incredible.”
Harold certainly has gotten bigger since the end of the 2013 season. He’s notably broader in the shoulders and his overall frame is carrying more weight. Last season, he was listed at 230 on the roster and that number has jumped to 250 on the current printout. Harold said that was a big focus during the offseason months.
“I’m 248 now. I’ve been doing a lot eating and lifting, drinking a lot of water,” Harold said. “I’m sick and tired of everybody scrutinizing and saying he’s too small. What can they say now? I’m just trying to be the best that I can be and help my team in any way that I can.”
Beyond improving his physique, Harold is focused on turning around the Cavaliers’ fortunes. The program has won just six games the past two seasons (4-8, 2-10), which wasn’t what Harold envisioned when he chose Virginia out of Ocean Lakes High School in Virginia Beach. Harold, however, said that players can learn a lot from the adversity faced during losing seasons. It has a way of humbling you.
“It’s tough only winning six games since I’ve been here,” Harold said before pausing. “You’ve got to embrace it though. It’s not about winning all the time. You know you want to win, but you’re not always going to. It’s just being resilient. It’s teaching us how to be resilient, teaching us how to bounce back, and it’s preparing us for life. In life, you’re going to have setbacks. You’re going to lose family members. Your daughter is going to get sick. You’re going to grow old. It’s just preparing you for life. We’re going to win this year. I’m telling you that right now. Like I said in the past, it brought us and readied us for this moment right here.”
Worth Noting
- Greyson Lambert took all the first-team snaps at quarterback. He made several nice “find the vacated” area throws and threw one beautiful long ball to Miles Gooch. He also had two nice throws in two-minute drill to end practice and get the field goal team in range. Most of Lambert’s misses on the day were low throws. David Watford and Matt Johns rotated with the second and third units. Watford also threw a nice long ball to Gooch. Both of these QBs missed behind receivers on throws at times. Johns led the two-minute drill late and completed two passes to Andre Levrone (he had three of the four catches in the two-minute drill). That set up Alec Vozenilek for a 42-yard field goal that he made.
- The offensive line breakdown on the first day: first team, left to right (Conner Davis, Ryan Doull, Eric Tetlow, Ross Burbank, Eric Smith) and second team, left to right (Sadiq Olanrewaju, Jake Fieler, Jackson Matteo, Jack McDonald, Michael Mooney)
- One offensive penalty (false start) resulted in up/downs for the entire unit.
- Mike Moore and Eli Harold both have noticeably bulked up. Donte Wilkins appears to be slimmed down and more toned. David Dean is a leverage beast. Defensively, there were pass break-ups for Mason Thomas, D.J. Hill (two), and Max Valles among others.
- Punt catchers getting work in during special teams included Kirk Garner, Taquan Mizzell, Khalek Shepherd, and Anthony Calloway.
- Other than Nicholson not participating, injuries included safety Malcolm Cook who has a knee injury and isn’t cleared for anything yet (London expects him to work his way back eventually). Andrew Brown did individual drills only and isn’t fully cleared for team stuff yet with the turf toe injury from the spring. Cody Wallace is 100% per Coach London.
- Jack English worked at tight end not defensive end as listed on the roster.
- As part of the 10th annual College Colors Day celebration, the University of Virginia is participating in the Spirit Cup competition and is asking for participation from its fans. Read more here.
