Virginia Football Notes: Mendenhall Pleased With Skill Position Development

Following Fall Camp No. 13, which is the final preseason practice open to the media before the start of the 2018 regular season, Virginia football head coach Bronco Mendenhall summarized where he sees the program with just over two weeks to go before his Cavaliers take on the Richmond Spiders in Scott Stadium.

Mendenhall, who noted that the team had a “lighter practice” today ahead of a “significant scrimmage” tomorrow, said: “I like the skill development, especially offensively. The numbers and the ability I’m encouraged by. Really like the way that A.J. Mejia has been kicking the football, and Lester Coleman, how he has been punting the football. It looks like we’re going to be strong in the return game as well.”

Additionally, Mendenhall noted the depth at linebacker, called safety “probably the deepest position on the team,” and characterized the running back group as “solid.” The offensive and defensive lines are “thin” with “current injuries still in place.”

Forty-one members of Virginia’s 2018 squad have been assigned numbers. Twenty more will get numbers on Saturday (August 18).

OFFENSE NOTES

Offensive Line

Senior guard/center Jake Fieler and guard R.J. Proctor sat out today’s practice. In what appears to be a good sign, Fieler, who wore a walking boot at the August 9 practice, did not have any protective gear on this morning and ran around Lambeth Field several times with the media present. Proctor was sporting a sleeve on his right knee but did not use any other assistance (scooter, cane, etc.) to get around. He went down with the injury on August 9.

Referring to the Fieler and Proctor injuries as well as a few injuries on the defensive line, Mendenhall said he is “hopeful” these injuries do not carry on into the season. At this point, though, it’s too early to tell.

Redshirt freshman center Tyler Fannin did not use a scooter like he did the week before. Instead, he had a walking boot on his injured lower left leg and used a cane to walk around the outside of Lambeth Field. At least we’re seeing some progress from the Georgia native, who sophomore tackle/guard Chris Glaser said was “killing it” at center prior to the injury.

Injuries have resulted in more time for redshirt freshman Ryan Nelson at left tackle. VirginiaSports.com’s Jeff White reports that the California native has responded in a big way.

Wide Receiver

Asked about the development of a big-play threat at wide receiver, Mendenhall mentioned that sophomore De’Vante Cross is “developing nicely.” The Cavalier head coach also mentioned true freshmen Tavares Kelly and Ugo Obasi, as well as junior Joe Reed. He said he is “encouraged” by the development at the wide receiver position.

Wayne Taulapapa

Although he signed a letter of intent with Virginia in the class of 2016, running back Wayne Taulapapa arrived on Grounds only a few months ago and is only a first year. The Punahou (Honolulu, HI) product served a two-year mission in Nicaragua before starting his collegiate career.

Don’t expect to see the 5’9”, 200-pound running back this season. Mendenhall, who managed players coming off mission trips many times while at BYU, believes it takes a “minimum of one year” for the player to get back to where they were physically before they left for the mission. With that in mind and a solid running back corps already in place, look for Taulapapa to redshirt in 2018.

DEFENSE NOTES

Defensive Line

Mendenhall revealed that the team has been practicing without defensive ends Mandy Alonso (lower leg) and Richard Burney (concussion) for “a significant amount of time.”

Alonso wore a boot during last Thursday’s (August 9) practice and was wearing one again today. As mentioned above, Mendenhall is “hopeful” neither injury carries into the season, but he couldn’t rule it out.

With Alonso, a definite starter, and Burney, a likely starter, on the sidelines, Jordan Redmond and Aaron Faumui have stepped in to fill those roles, Mendenhall said. The development of the two true freshmen has “skyrocketed” because of the injuries according to Mendenhall, who added that they were “doing a nice job.”

Mendenhall also indicated that true freshman Grant Misch has moved from linebacker to defensive end and is performing well.

Junior transfer Cassius Peat was spotted running and walking on the side but did not practice. The 6’3”, 280-pound defensive lineman very much looks the part physically. It’ll be exciting to see him part of the rotation once healthy.

The status of Ohio State transfer defensive lineman Dylan Thompson remains unresolved.

The 6’5”, 280-pound graduate transfer has not yet arrived in Charlottesville because of eligibility issues. This morning, Mendenhall called it “unlikely at this point” when asked if he was anticipating Thompson being in Charlottesville this season. However, later in the day, Sam Blum of the Daily Progress reported that Thompson says his “goal is to be at UVA and playing on Thursday.”

Building Depth At Inside Linebacker

Mendenhall says sophomore Zane Zandier and junior Dom Sheppard had “outstanding offseasons” under new strength & conditioning coach Shawn Griswold. He described the duo as being “stronger, faster, leaner, more confident, more self-assured.”

Junior Jordan Mack is locked in as the starter at one inside linebacker spot. Sixth-year senior Malcolm Cook, Zandier and Sheppard are vying to start alongside him. Sophomore Rob Snyder, who impressed last spring, has been sidelined with a hamstring but gives the Hoos yet another inside linebacker option if/when he returns.

Sheppard arrived at UVA in 2015 as a 3-star recruit out of Gulliver Prep (Miami, FL). He redshirted that season and did not play in 2016 after tearing an ACL and undergoing subsequent surgery. The 6’3”, 235-pound Sheppard appeared in three of Virginia’s 13 games last season, but he admits his “commitment wasn’t really there” while he continued to recover from the injury.

Sheppard re-committed himself this spring and summer and it has paid dividends for him and for the team. He now boasts a leadership role while also pushing for significant time at inside linebacker, which again returns a potential star in the making in Mack but must fill the sizable shoes of departed All-American Micah Kiser.

“Ever since I tore my ACL, I wasn’t really strong, I wasn’t really fast, my game wasn’t really there, but then I decided to change my commitment in the summer and even in the spring to push harder and make sure my body was where it needs to be,” Sheppard said.

“I mean, since Micah Kiser left, there’s a big hole in the defense,” Sheppard added. “Everybody knows that. Just trying to have the next man up and filling that hole is very important.”

Bratton’s Strong Camp Continues

Sophomore Darrius Bratton is currently starting opposite Bryce Hall at cornerback, Mendenhall said. Sixth-year senior Tim Harris is behind him, while redshirt freshman Shawn Smith is “also really playing well,” which is helping to build depth at cornerback.

Mendenhall noted that Bratton has earned the starting role by being more durable, consistent and productive during camp.

Special Teams Notes

In addition to Olamide Zaccheaus and Joe Reed, Mendenhall mentioned true freshmen Tavares Kelly and Billy Kemp are doing a “nice job” on kick return.

On punt return, Kelly, Kemp, and walk-on sophomore wide receiver Chuck Davis were fielding punts during the portion of practice the media was allowed to watch.