Virginia Football Notes

By: Chris Horne |

Before getting to the on-field portion of this Virginia football “Notes” feature, let’s highlight the program’s response to the tragic events that transpired in Charlottesville this past weekend.

Virginia Football Notes: Hanback Showing Well at Nose Tackle

Moving Eli Hanback from defensive end to nose tackle has yielded promising early results, with head coach Bronco Mendenhall describing Hanback’s performance as “really, really good” following the Cavaliers’ August 10 practice.

Hanback was excellent as a redshirt freshman last season, starting 11 of 12 games at defensive end and finishing with 36 total tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, one sack and one fumble recovery for a touchdown. Along with senior Andrew Brown, the Ashland (VA) native would have given the Cavaliers rock-solid starters at end. However, Virginia needs a nose tackle, and Mendenhall turned to Hanback at the beginning of Fall Camp.

“The coaches are putting me in the best spot where I can help the team,” Hanback said. “I feel good at nose. I feel like I can be successful at nose and help the team. If I get moved to end I feel the same way. Anywhere on the d-line I feel comfortable.”

Nose tackle is easier to play than defensive end, Hanback says. However, the 6’4”, 305-pound sophomore is still adjusting to a new position and admits he is “still learning. Still getting some of the tweaks out, but I’m happy with the progress I’m making.”

True Freshman Updates

True freshmen aren’t allowed to speak to media. Last Thursday, though, senior quarterback Kurt Benkert, Hanback, and junior safety Juan Thornhill provided commentary on some of Virginia’s first year players.

Lindell Stone, Quarterback

“He knows his stuff,” Kurt Benkert said. “He’s a smart guy. We always joke about how he got like a 50 on his ACT. He’s a smart guy and he knows his plays.”

Terrell Jana, Wide Receiver

“Jana has made some good plays,” Benkert said. “He’s smooth. He’s a good player. He’s got a good ceiling.”

Mandy Alonso, Nose Tackle/Defensive Tackle/Defensive End

“Mandy’s doing great for being a true freshman,” Eli Hanback said. “He’s learning just like any freshman would be with the different plays and the different things that go on. Whenever he has questions he’ll come to me or Vic. I’m happy to help. He’s doing really well. Physical guy. He wants to play. He wants to get after it.”

Joey Blount and Germane Crowell, Defensive Back (Blount) and Cornerback (Crowell)

“Joey, he reminds me a lot like Quin,” Juan Thornhill said. “I guess it might be appearance and look, but Joey, he’s looking very good. He still has got some work to do because you have to pick up on terminology and play calls. Germane Crowell, he’s out right now but I’ve seen him in the spring. I’m very impressed by him as well.”

Additionally, we know from speaking with offensive line coach Garett Tujague and Benkert that true freshman offensive lineman Tyler Fannin and Ryan Nelson have made strong impressions and could well play this coming season.

Sophomore Wide Receivers

Cole Blackman, Hasise Dubois and Joe Reed all played as true freshmen last season. So how is the trio progressing heading into 2017, a season in which all three could play important roles?

Blackman, who hails from the Richmond (VA) area, suffered a broken tibia and fibula during a scrimmage this past Saturday (August 12). He underwent surgery Saturday night but told WRIC Channel 8 Richmond that he’ll miss the 2017 season.

Prior to the injury, Blackman had turned in “some good plays,” Benkert said. “He’s learning his role.”

Of Dubois and Reed, Benkert said: “Hasise is a big guy. He’s like 220 now, so he’s physical. Makes the tough catches in tight windows. Not afraid to get smacked. He gets smacked he gets right back up. That’s who he is. Reed’s all over the field, getting handoffs, catching passes. He can do a lot and he’s not afraid to stick his nose in there either.”

Dubois saw significant playing time last season and is one of several X and Z receivers who have played well in camp. Coach Mendenhall mentioned there has been no clear separation (in a good way) at the outside receiver positions so far in camp. I asked Benkert if not having a clear no. 1s on the outside was a positive or a negative.

“It helps me be more conscience of what I’m doing and not just relying on one guy that I’m used to,” Benkert answered. “It keeps me honest and going through my reads and not favoring people.”

Nelson on Scholarship

This news is weeks old, but former DeMatha Catholic (Hyattsville, MD) standout Brenton Nelson has earned a scholarship from Virginia.

Nelson played cornerback at Winter Springs High School in Florida before transferring to DeMatha, where he played safety as a senior in 2015. The 5’11”, 180-pound redshirt freshman is playing free safety and playing well, obviously, to earn the scholarship. Count Juan Thornhill among those not surprised at Nelson’s accomplishment.

“He’s very impressive,” Thornhill said of Nelson. “We had 7-on-7 … I’m telling you, his cover skills are incredible. He was getting picks left and right. Almost every day at 7-on-7 he had an interception.”

“I guess he was trying to be humble, but I was telling him they have no choice but to give him a scholarship because of the way he is playing,” Thornhill continued. “He’s picking up the defense very well. He’s making plays.”

With his background at corner, it’ll be interesting to see if Nelson could move to the outside and give the Hoos some added depth there down the road. For now, things seem to be going just fine at free safety.