Believe it or not, Virginia football practice starts in a little more than a month.
Since Bronco Mendenhall moved much of his staff across the country from BYU, the past few months have evolved from the first points of emphasis – how to line up and stretch properly – to summer speed training – how to maximize movement. When the team hits the field the first week of August, however, that’s when the final stage of preparations crank up for Mendenhall’s first season at UVA.
With anticipation building for a new era, it’s time for fans to get in the football frame of mind. Here’s a collection of lists, focusing on the offense, to help pass a few summer days before practice begins.
5 Players Certain To Have Big Roles
1. Taquan Mizzell. He rushed for 671 yards and set an ACC record for receiving yards by a running back with 721 more. He only had 8 touchdowns, but that number is almost certain to go up – the offense being brought in from BYU runs a lot of plays, creates space for guys like Mizzell, and scores a lot of points. He’ll be a big part of the new beginning.
2. Doni Dowling. All the offensive coaches raved about Dowling in the spring, touting everything from his work ethic to his routes. Despite the fact that he’s coming off what was virtually invisible season following a late return from ACL rehab, he’s going to have a chance to make some plays in this offense.
3. Olamide Zaccheaus. He emerged as a weapon last season as a true freshman when he moved from the crowded running back corps to slot receiver. The Hoos used him three different ways: in the receiving game (21 catches for 216 yards), running the football – often as an end-around sweep threat (33 carries for 262 yards), and passing on an option play (1 15-yard touchdown pass). Mendenhall spoke this spring about moving both Mizzell and Zaccheaus all around the formation in an effort to let them be playmakers.
4. Jackson Matteo. A one-time walk-on, Matteo has become a mainstay on the offensive line as both a leader and a producer. He snapped the ball on all but one play last season at center and that is why he has such an important role this season. On a line with limited depth and experience, he’s the linchpin for whatever the eventual starting group looks like up front. Plus, no one else on the roster has any significant experience at center – more on that below.
5. Eric Smith. One of the other seniors on the offensive line, Smith has stayed healthy and logged a lot of snaps as a result. After some struggles with inconsistency, he had a much better junior season that saw him allow just two sacks among 413 passing opportunities. He’s played both tackle spots, though he’s mainly been on the right side, so his experience could make a key player for 2016.
5 Players That Could Join That Group
1. Matt Johns. The senior threw for almost 3,000 yards (2,810) and 20 touchdowns last season in an offense that left a lot to be desired. Unfortunately, he also tossed 17 interceptions. He’s not a speed-burner, but has been able to scramble for yards at times. He’s unquestionably a leader in the locker room. Still, inconsistency could put his playing time in some jeopardy because those INT numbers just won’t cut it in this new offense. Plus, he’s got a real challenger it seems …
2. Kurt Benkert. Yes, Connor Brewer wedged himself into the conversation during Mendenhall’s first spring at Virginia, but Johns figured to still have a leg up by the time kickoff arrived. That’s not necessarily the case anymore with an East Carolina transfer joining the fray. Benkert played in a similar offense at ECU, has a big arm, and can move with his feet too. Considering those are all things that help the BYU-style offense tick, he’s going to get a good look in August’s practices.
3. Albert Reid. Running back is perhaps the most crowded position on the team so beyond Mizzell, it’s hard to pinpoint how the roles shake out. Reid returns for his second year at UVA as a graduate student after finishing second on the team with 360 rushing yards in 2015. He averaged 5.5 yards per carry and scored three touchdowns. Virginia figures to need some tough inside running at times and that’s where Reid seemed to be used a bit last season, but how does that look exactly in this new scheme?
4. Michael Mooney. On an offensive line that needs depth and experience, Mooney could be one comeback candidate from a list of injured guys like Sadiq Olanrewaju and Eric Tetlow. He started five games last season before an injury in October at Pitt ended his season. He has 14 total starts in his career.
5. Keeon Johnson. He splashed on the scene as a true freshman when he made his debut in the fifth game of the year and then started seven times. He finished that debut year with 20 catches for 282 yards and a touchdown. Since then, he’s essentially vanished with only 26 catches and one touchdown over the next two seasons. Still, he’s 6’3” and 210 pounds with some speed, some physicality, and good hands. Will a new offense along with the new speed/conditioning work unlock the potential?
5 Players That Will Surprise You At Some Point
1. Warren Craft. The receiving corps isn’t booming with depth after Canaan Severin and T.J. Thorpe finished their eligibility. While guys like Mizzell and Zaccheaus figure to take some snaps in receive roles too, there’s room for other guys to carve out roles too. Craft got some mentions this spring from the coaches as a potential playmaker thanks to some size (6’2”) and speed. Others could fall into receiving roles too, but Craft is likely going to make a few big catches this year and that fits this category.
2. Daniel Hamm. He is still one of the better one-cut runners in the program, but injuries have reduced his role in two of this three seasons to date. A redshirt junior thanks to a medical hardship waiver, Hamm could be in the backfield while Mizzell and Zaccheaus split out to receiver. With the pace and space involved with this offense, that’s three versatile playmakers on the field all at once and I suspect Hamm makes the most of it at least a few times this season.
3. Jake Fieler. These lists aren’t ignoring the offensive line and Fieler is a little bit of a forgotten man thus far after a redshirt season and a season lost to injury. Remember, however, that he was pushing for a starting job – or a significant role at the very least – last August before the injury bug bit. He’s listed at tackle, but can play all five line spots and there’s some depth concerns at center and guard. If he’s back healthy, he could be the latest Fork Union product to deliver as a Cavalier.
4. Jordan Ellis. This is another guy in the same territory as Reid and Hamm. The crowded running back group makes it hard to predict roles, but Ellis has looked good in limited chances so far in his career. He has a burst to go with some size (205 pounds) that differs a little from Reid (210 pounds). With 80 to 90 snaps per game to go around, Ellis is going to get some turns.
5. Jack English. Another offensive lineman that could be on the verge of bigger things. English has three years under his belt and as a rising redshirt junior, he’s now hitting the point where a lot of linemen start to shine a little more. He picked up seven starts last season after Mooney’s injury and considering the injury history of some of his linemates, he’s likely going to get some shots to impress again this season.
5 Players With Unknown Roles That Could Be Important
1. Evan Butts. The tight end position may have gone the way of the dodo bird with the new system that’s coming to the program. Butts, however, isn’t pigeon-holed into that role, though. He’s versatile enough to be a big back in the H-Back style or a split receiver if asked. Plus, he’s got good hands and has made some tough catches already in his career. I’m guessing Butts makes his way into the conversation this season.
2. Connor Wingo-Reeves. As a fullback, Wingo-Reeves already blazed through three years of eligibility. He saw limited time due to injury last season. So where does he fit for his senior year? The offense does have big back spots, but there will be competition there with Reid, Ellis, and Butts. Wingo-Reeves has not been a threat to split out to date in his career. Still, between his special teams experience and his blocking experience, he could be a factor.
3. R.J. Proctor. As mentioned above, Matteo is the only one on the roster with any real experience at center. Eric Tetlow has been hampered by injuries, while Proctor is coming off a redshirt season. At 6’4” and 305 pounds with good athletic ability, Proctor could settle in to a spot somewhere on the line in order to provide depth. It will be interesting to see how he looks this fall after missing the spring practices.
4. Andre Levrone. Another receiver with some height (6’3”) and some hands, he’s made some plays in his career. Unfortunately, injuries have limited his chances. He came in from Good Counsel after an injury his senior year and redshirt. He missed some time as a redshirt and sat for all but the opener last season. Levrone has shown he can catch the football on high throws around the field.
5. Jack McDonald. Circling back to the offensive line one more time, the interior guard spots aren’t as full as the tackle spots and the names here aren’t as well known either. Senior Sean Karl has been a utility option in his career, while Steven Moss was a highly rated recruit. McDonald, meanwhile, has appeared in 23 games the past two seasons after a redshirt year in 2013. He started two games last year too. McDonald could be a depth guy or a starter.
