2003 Review
 Heath Miller |
Heath Miller and Patrick Estes combined in 2003 to form one of the most dependable tight end tandems in the nation. Miller was a first-team All-ACC honoree and finished second in the nation among tight ends with 70 receptions for 835 yards, both ACC records for tight ends. He also was named one of eight semifinalists for the 2003 John Mackey Award, presented annually to the nation’s best collegiate tight end.
Estes continued his role as both a capable receiver and a run-blocking force. He played in 11 games, starting two when the ‘Hoos opened in a two-TE set. Estes recorded six receptions for 48 yards and a touchdown. He was slowed midway through the season with an injury.
Depth Chart
1st Team – Heath Miller, Jr. (6-5, 255)
Career Starts: 27. Games Played: 27.
2nd Team – Patrick Estes, Sr. (6-7, 280)
Career Starts: 8. Games Played: 35.
3rd Team – Jonathan Stupar , Fr. (6-3, 250)
Redshirted in 2003.
As a sophomore, Heath Miller was a complete tight end. As a junior, he is the gleam in the eye of every NFL scout. He is smart, strong and owns one of the best sets of hands on the team. Imagine what that says about the players ahead of Miller. Linebackers cannot cover him because of his speed and safeties can not deal with his size. He is a mismatch for any defender. Miller requires defensive coordinators to modify game plans and, as a former high school quarterback, he is even a threat to pass. Plus he has an unmatched work ethic that allows him to keep improving.
“He’s doing a lot of little things better,” said UVa coach Al Groh. “He’s progressed in a number of subtle areas and I think his game is better in every respect.”
Specifically, Groh said Miller has worked on improving his release off the line of scrimmage and in blocking at the point.
This season Miller is a candidate for the 2004 Rotary Lombardi Award given to the top lineman in all of college football and he is the leading candidate for the Mackey Award. Miller is a preseason first-team All-American pick of Playboy, Collegefootballnews.com, Athlon, Sporting News and Lindy’s.
 Patrick Estes |
Senior Patrick Estes has been battling migraine headaches that forced him to miss most of training camp, but he is back at practice and expected to play against Temple. Estes, who is bigger than some of UVa’s linemen, is especially valuable for his run-blocking.
“That’s his game to become a power player,” Groh said. “Every player has got to come to an understanding of what he is as a player. If Patrick tries to be Jeremy Shockey, that’s not his game. His game is to be a power player at the point. He gives every indication of understanding very clearly and being very comfortable with what his game is.”
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Jonathan Stupar ‘s game is not about power. It’s about catching the ball. The redshirt freshman made an immediate impression on the staff in camp and some say he may have the best hands on the team. “He makes some of those Heath Miller-type catches where the ball just sticks in his hands,” Groh said.
Stupar was one of the more highly-touted players of the 2003 recruiting class and he is everything that was advertised. “We’d like to see his performance and status really accelerate,” Groh said. “He’s in the mold of those other tight ends. He’s got some firepower. He’s got real up-field skills. He’s got some ball skills. He’s a playmaker type of tight end. His development has been significant. He’s at the point right now where he weighs more and I would say he is at least as strong as Patrick and Heath were at a comparable stage of their career. I’d say his development is at the right pace right now.”
Stupar’s development will be stunted by a broken foot that he suffered during practice last week. Groh said Stupar will be out for at least a month, so true freshman Tom Santi – another excellent receiver – will step in as the No. 3 tight end.
All-ACC Candidate
Heath Miller
All-American Candidate
Heath Miller
2004 Analysis
 Tom Santi |
Miller and Estes are arguably the top tight end combination in the nation. Though both possess the tools to excel both at pass-catching and run-blocking, each has a special role. The Virginia offense is built on maximizing the talents of its members and the tight end position is no different. Estes added 12-15 pounds of muscle last year to help him improve what Groh refers to as his “power” game. In other words, blocking. He will be a contributor in the passing game but his primary role will be as a blocking tight end.
Virginia relied heavily on the tight ends, especially Miller, to produce in the passing game last season. While this group is still expected to be an integral part of the offense, the emergence of Deyon Williams and Fontel Mines , as well as the return of Jason Snelling and Michael McGrew. may well signify the beginning of a lesser reliance on the tight ends and a greater expansion of the roles of the wide receivers and fullbacks in the passing game.
That said, Miller will continue to be the go-to receiver for Marques Hagans as he was for Matt Schaub. Along with Snelling and the tailback trio of Wali Lundy, Alvin Pearman and Michael Johnson, Miller provides a major matchup problem for opposing defensive coordinators. It is almost impossible to double Miller with linebackers and safeties because they have to worry about covering running backs out of the backfield or shadowing Hagans if the QB decides to run. Miller can always find the open spot, even when doubled, as the Hokies can attest.
Stupar and Santi add exceptional depth. As Groh said, there may be no better place for tight ends than the University of Virginia.
