The Roster

47: Bill Schautz – 6’4″, 220, Fr. 82: Mark Ambrose – 6’5″, 245, R-Fr. 83: Joe Torchia – 6’5″, 255, So. 85: John Phillips – 6’6″, 250, Sr. 86: Rod Wheeler – 6’3″, 240, Fr. 87: Andrew Devlin – 6’6″, 258, R-Fr. 89: Colter Phillips – 6’6″, 240, Fr. 90: Crutcher Reiss – 6’5″, 255, Jr. 91: Andrew Dewey – 6’5″, 230, Jr. * Numbers subject to change

If there’s one position on the Virginia football team that fans shouldn’t sweat, it’s the tight ends. Year after year, players step in and perform in these slots. There are no surprises here. With few question marks, this crop is solid talent-wise from top to bottom. One word to describe this position: solid.

Leading the way is senior John Phillips . No longer is Phillips the third fiddle to the always sure-handed powerhouses that were Tom Santi and Jonathan Stupar . Phillips’ outstanding blocking skills and his improvement as a receiver will allow him to slide smoothly into the starting role that he has earned.

Phillips is also highly respected by this teammates and coaches, making him a valuable leader on this year’s team. He was elected as a captain by his teammates and named a Rock Weir Award (most improved in the spring) by his coaches. In other words, one would suspect with more playing time in 2008, Phillips will surpass his 2007 numbers of 17 catches, 193 yards, and 2 TDs.

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