The Roster |
1: Patch Duda – 6’3″, 187, So. |
Things are looking up for UVa assistant coach Wayne Lineburg. Why? After frustrating injuries during Lineburg’s first year on the staff last season, everything is finally starting to come together at the wide receiver position for Virginia. For the first time in quite a few years the questions surrounding the wide receiver position are more focused on who is throwing the ball rather than who is catching it.
With the return of the speedy Kevin Ogletree after last year’s torn ACL, the receiving corps are as solid as ever. Ogletree appears to have recovered completely and as Groh has repeatedly said, “the Kevin Ogletree rehab story is over.” Ogletree who reportedly ran a 4.31 this offseason is easily the fastest guy on the team and as such should see significant time at both receiver and on the kickoff return team. He can explode down the sidelines like no player in recent memory. I’ve gotten pretty high on Ogletree during camp; if whoever the QB is can get him the pigskin, he should be looking at a stellar campaign. This offense needs a go-to guy that can make big plays in tough situations. Ogletree can be that player. While still in early season practices, Ogletree has repeatedly seen reps in the slot, a la Texas Tech, however, the most logical slot for him would seem to be on the edge.
Maurice Covington will be a solid number two, most likely playing opposite from Ogletree on the edge. Covington has good hands and good speed but wasn’t completely effective last season without the threat from Ogletree on the other side. After breaking his hand against North Carolina, Covington hurried back after missing only four games, no doubt feeling the pressure to produce. Forced to carry the load at receiver in an injury-shortened season, Covington still led the wide receivers with 21 catches for 269 yards. Expect Covington to produce even better numbers this season in the holes that the coverage of Ogletree will no doubt create.
...Subscribe to read full story
Tired of low effort articles and clickbait? So are we. Subscribe to read great articles written by a full-time staff with decades of experience.
Already a subscriber? Login Here