When Bronco Mendenhall arrived at Virginia last spring, he opted for an oft-repeated motivational technique when he took away all of the players’ UVA branded practice gear. The Hoos worked throughout most of the spring without V-Sabres and without numbers in all-black gear.
The Cavaliers actually didn’t get to pick numbers until they held a jersey number draft at the end of fall camp. Running back Jordan Ellis got the top pick and took No. 10, while defensive tackle Donte Wilkins went second and chose No. 1. That’s an odd number for a nose tackle, but fellow defensive lineman Andrew Brown wore No. 9 as well so clearly some players like single digit jerseys.
New Oregon coach Willie Taggart decided to use a tactic similar to Mendenhall in his first spring with the Ducks. He’s taking away single digit jerseys as motivation. As The Oregonian reports, he will not give them back unless a player demonstrates that he is a good football player and a good student with great character.
Meanwhile back at Virginia, Mendenhall has decided to make the jersey number draft an annual tradition as of now. So UVA is back to practicing without numbers this spring. The Cavaliers close spring practice with the spring game (approx. 3 p.m.) on Saturday at Scott Stadium. They’re expected to run about 70 plays from scrimmage with the offense facing the defense.
