With promising sophomore Mike Hollins opting out of the season and junior transfer Ronnie Walker Jr.’s waiver application for immediate eligibility denied (UVA is appealing), the University of Virginia football program will lean on returning starter Wayne Taulapapa and graduate transfer Shane Simpson at the running back position this season.
Taulapapa, a junior, and Simpson are the only two eligible scholarship running backs on the Cavaliers’ roster. The Hoos have three walk-ons at the position as well, including senior Justin Zollar, sophomore Perris Jones, and true freshman Chris Barfield, but durability is a must as far as Taulapapa and Simpson are concerned.
“Now that we’re down on running backs, you have to be (durable),” Taulapapa said. “Every day is a work with rehab. Every day is a work with getting your body right. Every day is work with continuing to be smart, especially on the field and playing hard. At the end of the day the team depends on us as running backs and we have to step up.”
Home in Hawaii this spring and summer because of the coronavirus, the 5’9”, 210-pound Taulapapa says he returned to “basics” to keep fit.
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