Matt Johns A Key Figure At Quarterback For Virginia

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Matt Johns threw eight touchdown passes in 2014. ~ Mike Ingalls

There’s not much room to sugarcoat when it comes to the quarterback position for the Virginia football program. It’s been mismanaged and underdeveloped for most of coach Mike London’s tenure.

Each of the opening day starters for the past three seasons transferred out of the program. Michael Rocco guided the team to the Chick-fil-A Bowl in 2011, but split time with transfer Phillip Sims in 2012. Both had left the program by the start of the 2013 season and David Watford stepped into the top spot. He fell to third on the depth chart in 2014, however, and left the program. Last season, Greyson Lambert had risen to No. 1 in Watford’s place and he started each of the nine games in which he played. Still, the post spring depth chart had Lambert at No. 2 and he left for Georgia. That Cavalier carousel has been turning since Jameel Sewell’s run in 2006 and 2007.

Next up: Matt Johns.

Johns started three games last season in lieu of an injured Lambert and picked up wins against Kent State and Pittsburgh before falling at Duke. For the year, Johns threw for 1,109 yards on 89-of-162 passing, a 54.9% completion rate. He had eight touchdowns and five interceptions. Johns also rushed for 107 yards and a touchdown while being sacked only three times.

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