Verica, Dolce Pursue Pro Careers

John Kevin-Dolce and Marc Verica watch from the sidelines at the William & Mary game. They stayed in Charlottesville to work out before signing professionally.

Former Virginia football players Marc Verica and John-Kevin Dolce have decided to continue their football careers.

Verica signed with Les Cougars in Saint-Ouen-l’Aumone, France, northwest of Paris. Verica planned to fly to Paris today to get settled with his new team and surroundings. “I’m excited and eager to experience a different culture in France as I set out to play and coach for Les Cougars des Saint-Ouen-l’Aumone,” Verica said.

Verica was a three-year letter winner at quarterback for the Virginia Cavaliers and named co-captain as a senior. He started all 12 games in 2010 and much of the 2008 season. Verica finished 6th all-time for Virginia quarterbacks with 4,992 passing yards. In 2010, he threw for 2,799 yards, which put him second only to Matt Schaub, who threw for 2,976 in 2002 and 2,952 in 2003. Verica spoke briefly about his time at UVa: “Being a student-athlete at the University of Virginia has been the premier honor of my young life. My time as a Cavalier has empowered me with the tools and values to take on any challenge.”

Verica also participated in the inaugural Eastham Energy College All-Star game in Tempe, Arizona. He signed as an undrafted rookie free agent with the Redskins, but was cut just days before the preseason opener. His parents see an exciting opportunity for their son in France.

“Cris and I are very happy for him. The opportunity presents the obvious prospect to continue to play while traveling and experiencing Europe … fantastic for a 23 year old. We will continue to support him,” Mark Verica said.

“I have been to Paris several years ago … it has always been my ‘dream city.’ I am so happy that this opportunity has come to him,” Cris Verica said.

Dolce has signed with the Indoor Football League and the Tri Cities Fever in Kennewick, Washington. Dolce mostly played defensive line for the Cavaliers and amassed 61 tackles and 8 quarterback sacks during his career. He was a three-year letter winner and named co-caption as a senior in 2010. Dolce is probably best remembered for a ferocious hit he put on Miami quarterback Jacory Harris in last season’s upset over the Hurricanes in Charlottesville. The hit put Harris out of the game and changed the momentum for the Cavaliers, resulting in head coach Mike London’s first ACC victory.

Like Verica, Dolce still cherishes his days at Virginia.

“My time at Virginia was more than just earning an outstanding degree and playing football at the highest collegiate level for an exceptional institution with great tradition,” Dolce said. “It was a constant building and developmental process that has turned me in to the man I am today. This program has helped me refine me spiritually, as well as built me up to be courageous in tacking any obstacle in front of me.”