99 Virginia Football Thoughts Before Kickoff

Virginia football’s now annual tradition of jersey selection is well underway, with sixty-one players having earned their numbers. Forty-one players were able to pick numbers in the first wave. Sabre Editor Kris Wright discussed this in an earlier “99 Thoughts.” Twenty more followed suit this past Saturday.

While I don’t want to read too much into who selects jerseys when, I think there are some notables in terms of who has and who hasn’t earned their numbers yet.

99 Virginia Football Thoughts Before Kickoff: No. 13 – Jersey Selection Musings

– By position, here is the breakdown of the 61 Cavalier players who have selected their jersey numbers as of August 21.

Quarterbacks (2)
Running Backs (5)
Wide Receivers (9)
Tight Ends (2)
Offensive Linemen (9)
Defensive Linemen (6)
Linebackers (13)
Safeties (5)
Cornerbacks (6)
Snappers (1)
Punters/Placekickers (3)

– Bryce Perkins is, without doubt, the starting quarterback. He was the only signal caller to pick his number in the first 41. Sophomore Lindell Stone picked his jersey number last Saturday. I expect Stone to battle with true freshman Brennan Armstrong for the backup quarterback position throughout the year. However, if the jersey selection process is an indication, Stone may have the edge on Armstrong right now. There haven’t been any definitive statements from Coach Mendenhall.

– Running back is a rock-solid position for the Hoos, so it’s no surprise to see the group of five all have their numbers. In fact, Ellis, Sharp, Atkins, Kier and Peacock selected their jerseys in the first wave. For the third straight season, Jordan Ellis had the first jersey selection. In terms of work ethic and determination, there is no better player for the young trio of Atkins, Kier and Peacock to learn from.

– Tavares Kelly is the only true freshman wide receiver to have his jersey number (#27), though Billy Kemp (H-Back) and Ugo Obasi (WR) have been praised by Mendenhall during camp. Ben Hogg (now on scholarship), Chuck Davis and Hayden Mitchell are walk-on receivers with numbers already. Davis could be one to watch on punt return, as he was fielding punts along with Kelly and Kemp during the August 9 camp.

– True freshman offensive lineman Bobby Haskins has earned his number (#70). He becomes the first of five true freshmen offensive linemen to secure the honor.

– It’s a now-or-never situation for redshirt junior offensive lineman Ryan Bischoff, who has played in only one game in his Cavalier career. It will be a challenge for him to carve out a role if the top guys stay healthy, but he was among the second wave of players to earn a jersey number.

– Offensive guard Ben Knutson, who played in 10 games (including two starts) last season as a redshirt freshman, has not yet received his number.

– Mendenhall spoke very highly of true freshmen defensive ends Aaron Faumui and Jordan Redmond following the August 17 practice. They now have jersey numbers and could play significant roles for the Cavaliers this season. Redshirt freshman Tommy Christ earning a jersey selection hopefully is a good sign as well, as he could provide additional depth to the line.

– With 13, linebacker tops all positions in terms of players with numbers. Inside linebackers Jordan Mack, Malcolm Cook, Zane Zandier and C.J. Stalker received numbers in the first wave. As did outside linebackers Chris Peace, Charles Snowden and Matt Gahm. Outside linebacker Noah Taylor, who has also been training at free safety, rounds out the list of true freshmen with numbers so far.

– Joey Blount had good things to say about redshirt freshman walk-on Donovan Rolle’s play at safety earlier in camp. Rolle, a product of Washington (D.C.) St. Alban’s (same school as outside linebacker Charles Snowden), now has a jersey number (14).

– No jersey number yet for junior safety Myles Robinson. Robinson was slowed by an injury but had returned to fall camp as of August 17. He has the potential to contribute at safety or cornerback for the Hoos.

– Sophomore cornerback Darrius Bratton’s play and dedication earned him a chance to pick his jersey with the first 41. At last check, he held and junior Bryce Hall would be Virginia’s starting cornerbacks. Redshirt freshman Heskin Smith, who Mendenhall has noticed in camp, now has a number, too. We haven’t heard a lot about redshirt freshman Germane Crowell, but he picked his jersey last Saturday.

The “99 Virginia Football Thoughts Before Kickoff” series has discussed much more. The previous articles are below. Click away.

2 Responses You are logged in as Test

  1. Chris- good article but you didn’t point out enough players who haven’t picked numbers yet and even though these players are in the 3-4 deep you would hope that every player is working hard and smart enough to earn his number. In the military at basic training you have to get every recruit across the finish line!

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