Tapping the pipeline
By Shane Mettlen
Published: June 7, 2008

College football coaches looking for talent in Virginia historically tend to locate it near the beach or the big cities, and for years it was hard to find many players from Culpeper or the surrounding counties on the University of Virginia football roster.

But the Cavaliers’ increased recruiting effort along the U.S. 15 corridor suggests that’s starting to change.

Redshirt freshmen Terrence Fells-Danzer and Curt Orshoski from Culpeper are already on the Wahoos’ roster and Fauquier quarterback Kyle McCartin is joining the team next season as a walk-on. That doesn’t include Orange’s Quintin Hunter and Liberty’s Corey Lillard, who have both already committed to the Cavs from the class of 2009.

“There’s no question that, for whatever reason, the talent level in that area — Culpeper, Orange, Fredericksburg and Warrenton — has really improved lately,” Chris Wallace said. Wallace, the editor of CavsCorner.com, a Web site that covers U.Va. recruiting, expects Virginia to continue recruiting the area diligently.

“There have been quite a few good players, and quite a few that U.Va. missed on or didn’t recruit for various reasons,” he said. “It will be interesting to see if it’s a trend or just a couple of unique years. But there’s little doubt that Virginia will go hard after kids from that area that can play at the ACC level.”

A deepening talent pool
From 2002-2006 the Cavs signed just two players from Orange County, Culpeper County, Liberty and Fauquier High Schools — Orange’s Asa Chapman and Culpeper’s Stefan Orange. Chapman was never admitted to U.Va. and will follow Hornets teammate Bradley Starks to West Virginia. Orange transferred out of U.Va. before ever earning a varsity letter.

But so far the Virginia careers of Fells-Danzer, a highly-recruited linebacker, and Orshoski, a walk-on fullback, have been deemed a success, even though neither has played a game. Both players should have an opportunity to earn playing time this fall. U.Va. head coach Al Groh called CCHS coach Greg Martz just minutes after finding out he was named the 2007 ACC Coach of the Year to let Martz know how pleased he was with the Culpeper pair.

“When you look at our area they are seeing kids that have walked on and done well,” Martz said. “Coach Groh called me on my cell and was just praising Terrance and Curt and how they are doing on the field and in the classroom. That’s the kind of trophy where the tarnish never wears off.”

Since Fells-Danzer began impressing college coaches with his blend of size and speed, the football recruiting world has paid more attention to this area. Hunter and Lillard are each ranked among the top-30 recruits in the state and Fauquier linebacker Connor McCartin, Kyle’s brother, was scheduled to visit the U.Va. campus and meet with the coaches Friday.

Another rising senior from Liberty, Kory Gough, has scholarship offers from East Carolina, Ohio and James Madison and is attracting interest from U.Va. Martz said rising seniors Stevie Strother, a running back/defensive back, and offensive lineman John Ross Hawkins are also gaining the attention of the Cavs. Both players played for Martz at CCHS last year, but might play at the brand new Eastern View High this fall.

Fauquier’s Kevin Friend is another rising senior gaining the attention of the Cavaliers, but former Falcons’ coach Greg Hatfield said he’ll likely need to put on weight to earn a scholarship offer.

Beating them to the punch
With the number of Division I recruits in the area growing, Virginia has been the first major-conference school to show more interest. While players such as Quintin Hunter, Connor McCartin and Culpeper rising junior Roger Davis have attracted the attention of schools all over the country, U.Va. has spent time looking for potential walk-ons and players that might be diamonds in the rough. At least some area coaches have noticed
“I saw U.Va. a lot this spring and I thought they spent a lot more time here,” Hatfield, who will be the coach at Eastern View this fall, said. “I saw them more than Virginia Tech.”

Hatfield and other area high school coaches believe that part of the reason the Hokies haven’t focused on this area is due to the program’s success snatching players out of the Hampton Roads area. Both Virginia and Virginia Tech have also long made it a priority to recruit in the Richomond and northern Virginia areas, but in recent years Tech has been able to beat U.Va. both on the playing field and in many in-state recruiting wars.

The Cavaliers signed just four Virginians in their 2008 recruiting class and Groh and his staff took some heat from the Wahoo faithful for it. Hatfield thinks that could be a reason for Virginia to try and build pipelines to Charlottesville in this and other areas of the commonwealth.

“I think Virginia alums want to see Virginia players on their football team,” Hatfield said. “I think there was a little more pressure to beat your competitors to the punch in this area. It’s an easy drive and coaches have made an effort to spend time. It’s a recognition that there is good football in this area. In the Cedar Run District there’s some talented kids and we’re so close to U.Va., there’s a ton of alumni.”

Martz thinks that one high-profile recruit can help spark interest in other talented prospects from around Culpeper.

“Luckily for all of us, when they see my tapes they also see these other kids from the area,” Martz said. “And that’s good for all of us.”

 

Jones never worried about Jets' flirtation with McFadden
Associated Press

HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. -- Thomas Jones heard all the talk and refused to let it bother him.

In the months following the New York Jets' dismal 4-12 season, many fans and members of the media insisted running back Darren McFadden would be a perfect fit for a team needing a big-time playmaker.

"Honestly, I never was concerned about it," the Jets' starting running back said tersely.

After Oakland selected the Arkansas star with the fourth overall pick -- two spots ahead of the Jets -- many assumed Jones felt relieved.

"No," he said, shaking his head. "Who cares? That's not my job. I've been through it all before. My job is to play football. The coaches and the management, that's their job. I'll leave their job up to them, and I'll do my job."

Jones split time with Cedric Benson and the two were less than friendly, despite helping lead the Bears to the Super Bowl in 2007. A few weeks later, Chicago traded Jones to New York -- a deal that was widely considered a steal for the Jets.

While Jones stabilized a position that had been in flux since Curtis Martin suffered a career-ending injury at the end of the 2005 season, some still criticized him for having a minimal impact on the offense last season. He rushed for 1,119 yards, his third straight year over 1,000, but averaged just 3.6 yards a carry, had four 100-yard games and rushed for only one touchdown.

"Last year was a tough year," Jones said. "I ended up 10th in the league in rushing with over 1,100 yards, but I mean, it was a tough year. We had a young team, and we had some bad breaks. But you learn from those mistakes and from those situations and you grow. That's what I'm doing."

Whether they flirted with the idea of trading up to snag McFadden in April, the Jets appear to be clearly committed to Jones being their primary ballcarrier. They signed him to a big four-year deal when they acquired him and added two Pro Bowl linemen to help block for him in guard Alan Faneca and tackle Damien Woody.

"Anytime you have good linemen come in, it's going to help the running back," Jones said. "They're going to be on top of their game, and that's going to help me be on top of my game. They bring leadership, they've played in Super Bowls, they've won, they've had experience and they bring everything else to the team and the young guys will be able to learn, too."

Jones, known as much for his huge biceps and incredible workout regimen as for his running ability, has impressed at least one of his new teammates in minicamp.

"I think he rolls his sleeves up on purpose," Faneca said with a big grin. "It's an illusion. He's an animal in the weight room. He likes to work out."

Jones has spent lots of time with all the offensive linemen during the offseason -- in the gym and away from football.

"There's an unsaid appreciation between the running backs and offensive line," Faneca said. "They appreciate us going out there and laying it on the line. Especially in my time, you appreciate a guy who goes out there who puts his head down, works hard and lays it out there on the line himself. You get in the weight room, and there's a little more of the same appreciation."

Jones is far from flashy, on the field or off. The son of Virginia coal miners, he's a blue-collar running back who gets yards mainly with hard runs and busting through tackles. He's also a good company man, rarely complaining about the game plan, even when coach Eric Mangini and offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer seemed to move away from the run too quickly. Jones had 25 or more carries just three times and had at least 98 yards rushing in all three games.

"I'm here to be a running back, to run and block and catch and do all those things," he said. "Any situation like that, that's really not up to me. I come out here everyday and do what I'm asked to do."

Jones has looked good in camp while splitting carries with Leon Washington, Jesse Chatman, Musa Smith and a handful of free agents. After a frustrating season and an offseason of uncertainty, Jones is just happy to be back on the field running the ball for the Jets.

"It's always exciting, man, when this time of the year comes around," Jones said. "Football is my love. I love the game, man, and I've been playing for a long time, so anytime you come back around and you have an opportunity to get back on the field and be with your teammates, it's fun."

Note: The team got a break from practice Saturday, instead getting a tour of the team's future headquarters in Florham Park, N.J. The players, their families and team staff members then went to a local high school, met with area vendors and then had a party with food, live music and activities for their children.
 

Rubeor reflects on UVa finale
By Whitey Reid
Published: June 8, 2008

Ben Rubeor is a professional lacrosse player now, but he’s still thinking about the shot he took against Syracuse two weeks ago in the NCAA Tournament semifinals.

The one that could have won the game for Virginia. The one that could have moved UVa into the championship against Johns Hopkins. The one that could have given the program a shot at its fifth national title.

The one that clanged off the post.

“It would have been awesome,” Rubeor said, “if it was two inches to the left.”

Shortly after Rubeor’s near game-winner, Syracuse‘s Mike Leveille scored to end Virginia ‘s season.

“It’s disappointing that it ended that way,” said Rubeor, who was held scoreless for the first time all season, “but at the same time that’s how sports goes sometimes — and I think it was one of the best games that I’ve seen in college lacrosse in a while.”

What made the loss painful for UVa — in addition to the fact they blew a five-goal second-half lead — was the fact that if they had held on, they wouldn’t have had to face top-ranked Duke in the finals. The Blue Devils, who had overpowered Virginia twice during the season, were upset by Johns Hopkins.

UVa, which defeated Hopkins in the regular season, likely would have had a much easier shot at the championship.

“That thought did cross my mind,” Rubeor said, “but at the same time a lot of teams could have looked at it that way. Maryland could do that if they wanted to.”

The loss has given Rubeor a greater appreciation for what Virginia accomplished in 2006. UVa went 17-0 that season, dominating everyone it faced en route to an NCAA championship.

“It’s one of those things that does make me realize that it might not have been as easy as it once appeared to win the championship,” Rubeor said.

Rubeor is in the process of moving on to the next chapter in his life. Shortly after the season ended, he was drafted by the Long Island Lizards of Major League Lacrosse. This summer, Rubeor is living in New York City and working for a finance company. He made his debut for the Lizards last week. The Lizards’ next game is Saturday at the Washington Bayhawks.

“It’s a different-paced game and it’s a different level, too,” Rubeor said. “The guys are a lot better. It’s a transition, but it’s actually kind of cool to be back on the field and feel a little bit uncomfortable. I have to relearn some things.”

Rubeor — who plans on returning to Virginia in the fall to get his masters in finance from the McIntire School of Commerce — seems to be putting the loss to Syracuse in his rearview mirror.

“I’m not upset about it anymore,” he said, “but it was disappointing.”

Virginia stays on in-state streak
By Jay Jenkins
Published: June 9, 2008

The upcoming football camps at Boston College and Kansas have a new vacancy.

On Monday, Connor McCartin informed the staffs at both programs that he would not be showcasing his skills at their camps with hopes of landing scholarship offers.

He will not need those offers.

McCartin, an inside linebacker from Fauquier High School, altered his summer plans this weekend after accepting a scholarship offer from Virginia coach Al Groh.

The verbal commitment was Virginia’s 12th in the ever-growing 2009 recruiting class.

“It’s very exciting,” said McCartin. “It was something that I wanted to get done and Virginia is the place that I really wanted to go all along.

“I was fortunate that Virginia offered, and I really think it is the best fit for me.”

Landing McCartin continued the Cavaliers’ in-state resurgence. The rising senior became UVa’s 10th verbal from the Commonwealth, which easily outdistances the three collected in 2008.

Virginia was the lone school to offer McCartin thus far, but he drew interest from Maryland, Virginia Tech and Duke and was told a scholarship would be on the table after the camps at Boston College and Kansas. McCartin said Virginia Tech coaches informed him early on that the Hokies would not be adding inside linebackers this year, but told him they would look at him as an outside linebacker if he so desired.

It never came to that after McCartin and Groh met together in the coach’s office in the McCue Center last week.

“He said that they liked my intensity and my leadership,” said McCartin, who had 24 tackles in an overtime upset victory over rival Liberty. “They could see that I was a hard worker. They said I was a good player and would fit well in their 3-4 scheme.”

Undersized to play defensive end at 6-foot-4 and 215 pounds, McCartin has used his 4.75 speed in the 40-yard dash to make plays in the middle of the field at Fauquier. Last season alone, the youngster collected 135 tackles, four sacks and four interceptions. He also used his deceptive speed to recover four fumbles en route to earning All-Northwest Region honors.

“I have just been fortunate to put myself in those types of positions,” he said. “I think I can read things really well, and when the contact comes is when I can show coaches that I can really play.

“I guess you could say that I model my game after [Chicago Bears linebacker] Brian Urlacher. I love how he plays and he is a good guy.”

While it had little if any role in the decision, McCartin will find a familiar face on campus in August 2009. His older brother, Kyle, is slated to join the Cavaliers’ program as a recruited walk-on in two months. Kyle, a quarterback, was a Virginia target last year before blowing out his ACL in the first quarter of Fauquier’s opening game.

“Virginia had recruited me earlier and basically after the injury they stayed in touch,” said Kyle, who picked the Cavs over a walk-on offer from Maryland. “They offered me a walk-on position and after I came down to watch a practice, I waited a little while and decided it was the right opportunity.”

At that point Kyle had no idea that his younger sibling would be following in his footsteps, but is happy with the developments and knows what the Cavaliers are obtaining with the inside linebacker.

“Connor is a great leader and there is no quit in him,” Kyle said. “He is always there to make the plays. He is always at the ball.”


 

Cavaliers get 12th football commitment
Warrenton Fauquier inside linebacker Connor McCartin is the 10th commitment from the state of Virginia.
BY MELINDA WALDROP | 247-4634
6:40 PM EDT, June 9, 2008

Virginia got its 12th commitment for its 2009 football class - and 10th from the state of Virginia - in Warrenton Fauquier inside linebacker Connor McCartin.

McCartin, 6-foot-4 and 215 pounds with a 4.7-second 40-yard dash, visited Virginia on Friday and committed to the Cavaliers on Monday morning, according to CavsCorner.com.

McCartin, who had 135 tackles, two interceptions, four forced fumble, four sacks and three blocked punts, also received interest from Virginia Tech, Maryland, West Virginia, Boston College and Duke.

 

UVa receives 12th grid commitment
Connor McCartin is a linebacker from Fauquier.

For the second time in a week, Virginia has received an oral commitment from the younger brother of one of its football walk-ons.

Connor McCartin, a 6-foot-4, 215-pound linebacker from Fauquier County has become the 12th player to commit to Virginia for 2009, his mother confirmed. Ten commitments come from in-state players. McCartin's older brother, Kyle, was injured in the opening game of Fauquier's 2007 season but will join UVa this summer as a walk-on candidate.

Last week, UVa took a commitment from Jake Snyder, a defensive end and tight end from Richmond whose older brother was a freshman at UVa this past season and practiced with the team as a non-scholarship wide receiver.

Connor McCartin, who had 135 tackles last fall, was to have visited Boston College and Kansas in upcoming weeks.

According to rivals.com, Virginia Tech received commitments over the weekend from Nick Acree, a 6-foot-5, 300-pound offensive lineman from King William High School near Richmond, and James Hopper, a 5-9, 180-pound defensive back from 71st High School in Fayetteville, N.C.

Acree will be a junior at King William this year and is earmarked for Tech's 2010 entering class.

-- Doug Doughty
 

Harris ready for redemption
By Whitey Reid
Published: June 9, 2008

Will Harris never had any problems with his back. Not a single one.

Then one morning, just like that, he did.

Before the start of last season, Harris woke up and his back was killing him.

Harris’ 2007-08 campaign subsequently went up in smoke, with the Queens, N.Y., native reduced to spot duty. He had to watch as Virginia stumbled to a 17-16 season that culminated in a semifinal loss to Bradley in the inaugural College Basketball Invitational.

“It was sometimes frustrating,” said the always-effervescent Harris, “but I think my teammates and my coaches did a real good job of helping me get through it and keeping me positive.”

Now the rising junior is confident — er, hopeful — that his back woes are behind him. He’s continuing a vigorous rehabilitation — one that is aimed at strengthening his core — under the guidance of UVa strength and conditioning coach Shaun Brown, and has been cleared to return to all basketball-related activities.

“It feels 100 percent like 98 percent of the time,” Harris said. “Every once in a while I have a rough day, but most times it feels pretty good.

“I’m definitely not getting surgery. That’s definitely not going to happen … I’m starting to feel like I did before the injury every happened, so I don’t think it will be necessary.”

As a freshman, Harris showed signs of being able to contribute in a number of ways. He played in every game, which included three starts.

Just before last season began, Harris gave up his No. 1 jersey to incoming freshman Jeff Jones and started wearing No. 43.

The double digits never looked quite right on the 6-foot-6, 245-pounder — and the switch seemed to bring him nothing but bad karma.

“I think that [the new number] didn’t look right because people didn’t see me on the court enough,” said Harris, smiling. “You have to see it a lot to get used to it.”

Harris said he has no plans on trading No. 43 in.

“Nobody ever wears No. 43,” he said, “so I’m going to try and make it hot.”

Since Harris was hardly playing last season, there was a chance he could have applied for a medical redshirt to preserve a year of eligibility — just like big man Tunji Soroye is in the process of doing.

However, that option went out the window after appearing in 15 games.

“I’m not really bummed about it,” said Harris, who is heading into his junior season. “I just have to suck it up and make the most of this year that’s coming up.

“I try and not live with any regrets. I probably could have got a redshirt if I had asked for it, but I was hopeful it would [heal]. It just didn’t work out like that.”

Plus, Harris, who will turn 22 in August — he took a postgraduate year after high school — knows his biological clock is ticking.

“I’m an old man,” he joked. “There’s lots of mileage on this body. I’d be like 28 if I took a redshirt and I definitely wouldn’t want to do that.”

Harris was one of several Virginia frontcourt players with an achy back last season. Jamil Tucker, Ryan Pettinella and Soroye all missed time with back ailments.

Harris said he never worried that his career might be in jeopardy.

“I think I’m going to play basketball for the rest of my life,” he said. “I’ve never put that in my mind. I just try and stay positive and tell myself that everything’s going to be alright.”

Even though Harris couldn’t contribute on the court last season, he certainly did his part from the sidelines. During games, he was always one of the most vocal Cavaliers.

This season, Harris hopes to do his talking with his game — even though he’s not quite sure how he’s going to fit into Leitao’s rotation.

“I think we’re going to have a real deep team,” Harris said. “Lots of guys will be able to do lots of different things. Given the situation, I’m going to do whatever coach needs me to do because I feel like I’m versatile enough that I could do anything.

“I just like being on the court. I don’t care where I’m at. As long as I’m on the court, I’m happy.”

 

Former Cav Adams signs with Yankees
By Jay Jenkins
Published: June 9, 2008

David Adams is officially a former college baseball player.

On Monday, the UVa second baseman inked a professional contract with the New York Yankees.

Last week, Adams was selected by the Yankees in the third round with the 106th pick overall, and the Florida native expressed a strong interest to begin his professional career as soon as possible.

During his stellar career at Virginia, Adams started 182 of the 183 games that he played in. He ranks seventh in program history with 143 career RBI and 150 runs.

Adams struggled, however, this year against pitchers in ACC action during the regular season. In those weekend situations the right-handed swinging batter hit .210 (25-for-119) with five extra-base hits (2 2B, 3 HR) and fanned 22 times. Despite remaining a mainstay in the No. 3 spot in Virginia’s order, Adams ranked 86th among the 89 players logging the minimum amount of at-bats in league play.

The numbers were significantly down from Adams’ numbers in ACC action in 2007 when he hit .315 (35-for-111), had three triples and two homers, one of which was a walk-off blast against Georgia Tech.

Yankees director of scouting Damon Oppenheimer, who watched Adams in the Cape Cod League last summer, said the organization is hopeful of turning things around in the minors.

“He’s had a down year,” Oppenheimer told reporters. “We saw some things in his stroke that they had made changes to at the college level that we run into quite a bit. That didn’t work for him. We looked at a lot of film of him at high school and the [Cape Cod League].

“We’re hoping to get this guy back, and if we can get him back to what we saw, we feel we got a guy that at one time was ranked very high.”