Is Joe Torchia the next great one in line at "Tight End U?" You have to be pretty
great to catch a touchdown pass from Jameel Sewell, and Torchia did it twice last year.
WIN: Joe Torchia, senior
To this point Torchia's UVA career has been up and down (but mostly down). He started out toiling behind Tom Santi, John Phillips, and Jonathan Stupar, then had to bounce back from several semi-serious injuries, then had the offense pulled out from under him when Virginia made the ill-fated switch to the spread offense. The fact he has been able to hang in there through all of that adversity speaks volumes to his dedication and determination. He's an easy guy to pull for this year, as he tries to re-claim the glory that UVA once had as "Tight End U." But does Joe Torchia have the goods to duplicate or even come close to the level of success enjoyed by guys like Heath Miller, Patrick Estes, Santi, and Phillips? I actually think he does. He's a good, solid blocker, and a good, solid receiver. He has top-notch instincts for the position, and a clear willingness to mix it up in traffic. He should quickly emerge as a reliable security blanket for Marc Verica this season, and Torchia should also begin to quickly assert himself in the red zone.
PLACE: Colter Phillips, sophomore
Phillips recently lost his father in the August 9th Alaska plane crash (RIP, Bill Phillips), so it's difficult to say whether or not Colter will even suit up for the Hoos this season. If he does play, he comes in with the advantage of having enjoyed a huge majority of practice reps in spring ball, while Joe Torchia was rehabbing an injury. Phillips is another "complete package" type of tight end, though his blocking skills lag a bit behind his receiving skills at this point. He's probably not a special athlete, but he has enough tangibles to play and play well at the ACC level. Between the above-average play of Torchia and Phillips, expect to see a lot of two-tight end sets this fall. I'm looking for Colter to easily eclipse last year's production (5 catches for 34 yards).
SHOW: Paul Freedman, sophomore
I don't want to beat a dead horse, but if it weren't for the desire to scorch the earth (or just plain blatant stupidity) of Al Groh, Freedman would be coming off of his redshirt season, ready to play the next four years. Instead, he comes in as a true sophomore, battling with Phillips for the top spot in the 2011 tight end rotation. This season, I think Freedman will make his mark as a blocker in the jumbo package -- he's the type of big-bodied tight end who virtually serves as a 6th offensive lineman. Freedman has great upside, but his receiving skills are raw.
ALSO RAN:
- Zachary Swanson, true freshman -- This three-star recruit from Katy, Texas is said to have plus athleticism, and should be a force as a receiver once he develops physically. UVA beat out Miami, Stanford, Arkansas, Cal, and Oklahoma State to obtain Swanson's services.
- Jake McGee, true freshman -- This QB convert has a huge frame at 6-5, 225. Here's hoping his career follows the same path as another lightly-recruited big QB-turned-TE... Big Money himself, Heath Miller.
- Andrew Cordasco, true freshman -- A "preferred" or "recruited" walk-on, Cordasco is a thinking man's tight end. It is said that he has a sixth sense for using angles and picks in order to get open in the passing game. I know the coaches are high on what he might be able to bring to the table. As a walk-on, he is unlikely to redshirt, so we might see him early on special teams and in the sub package.
ANTE POST: Joe Torchia will lead all UVA receivers in touchdown receptions in 2010... with six of 'em. He'll shine as our primary receiving target in the red zone, and he'll play well enough to earn a middle-round pick in the 2011 NFL Draft.
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