The View from 515: Breakout Star - Anthony Harris

As we enter Mike London's fourth season at the helm of the Virginia program it's time to start ramping up expectations for players from his heralded recruiting classes. While the oldest kids in his first true recruiting class are only true juniors, thanks to Al Groh's impressively terrible management of recruiting towards the end of his tenure, they will be the backbone of the team this season. There are already the obvious stars on the field this season. Kevin Parks should have a great year running the ball. I expect Morgan Moses to have a good season on the left side. And Demetrious Nicholson should flourish in this new scheme. But those are players you already know. In this series of the Wahooze exclusive The View from 515 (that was for you John King) we're going to profile some players that you don't know as stars yet, but that we think are going to have a big season.

Meet Anthony Harris. A 6-foot-1, 185-pound hitting machine from Chesterfield, VA. Harris started at free safety for the Hoos in 2012 and recorded 87 tackles with one pick. IMPRESSED?! Well admittedly those are not eye popping stats, but 87 tackles was actually good for third on the team behind senior tackling machines Steve Greer and LaRoy Reynolds. However the one pick from a free safety was something that caused most Hoofans to groan (or attempt to break a plastic water bottle across a metal railing, looking at you Kendall). That stat most likely also cost Jim Reid his job. But why would the third leading tackler be considered a "breakout star" for 2013?

Enter John Tenuta, and more importantly his hyper-aggressive style. There are certain players that will benefit from the switch to the new scheme, but none may benefit more than Harris. I've long thought Phelps and Harris were playing the wrong positions at safety. Phelps, a damn good corner in high school, has the ball skills to be a ballhawk at free safety, but not necessarily the nose for hitting that that position required. That's why I was thrilled when John Tenuta announced that Phelps and Harris would be swapping spots, turning a confusing alignment into a potentially great one. (It also puts what is probably the most annoying message board debate to rest, as there is zero chance Rijo Walker can beat out either safety at their respective positions now.)

But back to Harris. This kid has always been one of my favorites, and will quickly become one of yours. Growing up, my favorite player was Sean Taylor, so I have an affinity for watching safeties lay people out. And while Harris will never have the complete game Taylor did, he will become a ferocious hitter at the point of attack this season. Harris will be spending a ton of time near or behind the line of scrimmage this season, and hopefully will see a massive spike in sacks, especially considering he had zero last season. That being said, it will be the bone-crushing hits he will get against running backs and receivers coming across the middle that will get him a special place in all our hearts this season. I'm very VERY bullish on the safeties this season given the new scheme, but I am at another level of optimism for Harris.

More of this, please.

WaHiatus! (Plus the Post-Spring Depth Chart)

Okay, so I'm pretty much completely swamped with trying to get the family moved to Richmond, and don't have any free time for writing, so I'll need to take a short leave of absence from Wahooze.  Maybe a week or so in addition to the spotty posting of the last few weeks, nothing extreme.

But before I go, here is the post-spring depth chart, released this past Monday.  Some concentrated thoughts generated from perusal:

-- More >OR< at quarterback.  Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.  For the record, my preference is officially Greyson Lambert, with a specific wildcat-type package for David Watford.  My guess for what will actually happen is that Watford ends up starting the BYU game while Sims transfers away.  While still on the record, I'll say that is probably a pretty good way for this to shake out, as Watford's elusiveness could help a potentially shaky o-line, and the removal of Sims sets up a more natural system of succession at the position... if Lambert can accept the QB2 role.

-- Clifton Richardson is third in the pecking order at running back.  A lot of people are up in arms over that one.  I am not.  Richardson can't stay healthy, and Shepherd (listed second on the depth chart) brings more speed and natural receiving ability to the conversation.  None of this probably matters, as [incoming freshman] Smoke Mizzell will be demanding touches in some sort of capacity this fall.

-- Luke Bowanko is kicking out from center to left guard, but will still make the line calls.  This is a good deal all-around, as LuBo is a better guard than center.  In fact, this sort of solidifies what looked like a problem area all spring (and frankly, all last season).

-- Coming from out of left field to take LuBo's vacated spot at center is redshirt freshman walk-on Jackson Matteo.  (Read this piece from Jeff White on Matteo.)  If Matteo is a legit starting center as a redshirt freshman, then it solves A LOT of problems.  It's almost too good to be true, which is why the jury has to be out until the ammunition is live.  But just imagine a four-year starter at center.  That would be a good thing.  And if Lambert wins the QB job, we could have a four-year starter receiving Matteo's snaps, also a very good thing.  Anyway, London has always said the goal is to put the five best linemen on the field together, and if Matteo is one of those five, then I am excited about it.  Slightly skeptical, but excited.

-- Sean Cascarano is back at guard... and we really need him to step up now.  He's been toiling as a below-average blocker for a while now.  Time for him to settle in as a senior.  If he can, our line could be pretty good.

-- Game, set, match, Jay Whitmire is now our starting right tackle.  I wasn't impressed with him in the spring game, but I know he's got talent and that the staff is pretty high on his potential.

-- The sum of the parts on the o-line still looks below-average to me.  Every position other than left guard (if Bowanko doesn't have to move back to center) has question marks.  If the 2013 season goes poorly, this will be the most likely culprit.

-- Cody Wallace has moved out to right tackle to back up Whitmire.  Not sure how I feel about that, other than to say that he and Conner Davis need to figure things out fast, or they'll never again be starters on the Virginia o-line.

-- I suddenly feel pretty good about our tight end position.  We know Jake McGee is a weapon, and Zach Swanson tasted extensive action at fullback and has had time to become vetted in the program.  Add Rob Burns' physical presence to the mix, and I think we're cooking with gas. But yeah, that >OR< is kind of bullshit.  McGee is the guy.  Right?

-- Depth chart is as expected at wide receiver.  I'll still be looking for #19 to take over #2's spot in the slot (despite this puff pastry piece from Jeff White), and for #80 to push his way into increased playing time.  Canaan Severin seems like an obvious mid-career redshirt candidate to me, as well.

-- Depth at defensive tackle seems dangerously thin... until you consider the arrival of Tyrell Chavis and Donta Wilkins this summer.  Both true frosh are ready to play and make an impact in the rotation.

-- No real surprises at defensive end or linebacker, and things seem to be settling in for the defensive front seven.  My expectations are growing...

-- Fan favorite Wil Wahee has moved from safety to corner, and he seems to be ahead of C.J. Moore and Divante Walker in the pecking order.  This will be an interesting development to monitor, as the #4 corner figures to see some playing time this season.  Wahee is a hitter, not sure how good his cover skills really are.

-- It drives some people batty that Rijo Walker can't get past Brandon Phelps at free safety.  It doesn't bother me, as I think Phelps has real upside in the Tenuta defense.  Upside that Walker maybe lacks.

-- Kelvin Rainey has moved from corner to safety, and is listed as the primary backup to Ant Harris.  Interesting.  I need to see more from Rainey before I can form an opinion on this, but I suspect Walker is the first safety off the bench at either position.

-- I'm pulling hard fro Anthony Cooper, but he seems to be buried on the depth chart right now.  I think the kid can play and deserves a chance at some playing time.  He might need to earn it on special teams.


So there you have it.  Other than Matteo, nothing terribly earth-shattering.

No on with the hiatus...

ACCpocalypse, Averted

Huge news on the REALIGNMAGEDDON front yesterday, as fans of the ACC can finally relax a little bit with the conference's 15 members (including Pitt, Syracuse, Notre Dame, and Louisville and excluding Maryland) announcing a Grant of Media Rights.

Here is the announcement:


The Atlantic Coast Conference Council of Presidents announced today that each of the current and future 15-member institutions has signed a grant of media rights, effective immediately.

"This announcement further highlights the continued solidarity and commitment by our member institutions," said ACC Commissioner John Swofford. "The Council of Presidents has shown tremendous leadership in insuring the ACC is extremely well positioned with unlimited potential."

"The ACC has long been a leader in intercollegiate athletics, both academically and athletically," said the collective ACC Council of Presidents. "Collectively, we all agree the grant of rights further positions the ACC and its current and future member schools as one of the nation's premier conferences."

The ACC's current and future 15-member institutions include:
Boston College
Clemson University
Duke University
Florida State University
Georgia Institute of Technology
University of Louisville
University of Miami
University of North Carolina
North Carolina State University
University of Notre Dame
University of Pittsburgh
Syracuse University
University of Virginia
Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University
Wake Forest University

About the Atlantic Coast Conference:
The Atlantic Coast Conference, now in its 60th year of competition, has long enjoyed the reputation as one of the strongest and most competitive intercollegiate conferences in the nation. Since the league’s inception in 1953, ACC schools have captured 127 national championships, including 67 in women’s competition and 60 in men’s. In addition, NCAA individual titles have gone to ACC student-athletes 146 times in men’s competition and 102 times in women’s action. For more information, visit theACC.com.

What does a Grant of Media Rights mean for the conference?  Well, in a nutshell, it means the ACC is now protected from seeing other leagues - the Big Ten and Big XII, specifically - poach its teams.  For the next few decades, no teams will be able to leave the ACC without sacrificing their media rights, hence giving those schools no value to the leagues looking to expand.  So in essence, the ACC has effectively circled its wagons!

The wagon on fire is Wake Forest.

Read more about the Grant and its implications on SI.com, HERE and here:

Rejoice! ACC Grant of Rights Should Halt Conference Realignment

Hoos Reach New Heights

Pretty awesome piece from Jeff White, following up a pretty awesome homestand sweep against Florida State.  Crack it open and take a look.

'Hoos Reach New Heights in Sweep of 'Noles

Some numbers that really stand out to me:

• 4,980 fans in attendance for the Sunday sweepclencher.  That's a great college baseball crowd.  Easily one of the top draws in the nation.
• Brian O'Connor just turned 42.  He's got another 20-25 years doing this, easily.  We need to open up the checkbook and make damn well sure that those two decades are spent at UVA.
• Oak's career record at UVA: 446-155-2.  Like, holy shit.  That's a .742 win percentage.  Wow.
• This was our 1st-ever sweep of Florida State.
• 13,890 fans made it out to Davenport this weekend.  That's more than a typical basketball game can draw.  I love how Charlottesville has embraced this program.  That'll be a huge component to continued success.
• Brandon Waddell, our bulldog freshman Friday starter (usually the spot reserved for the staff ace), went a strong 6 innings in game 1 of the series.  He was battling through some recent ups and downs against ACC competition, but it looks lime he's righted the ship.
• Scott Silverstein went 7 strong innings on Saturday.  I had expressed concern over his injury history and often ineffective pitching last season, but in 2013 he has been fantastic. A real asset to our rotation.  I'm happy and proud to eat crow on this one.
• We are now 35-6 overall, 16-5 in the ACC.  We are cruising toward a top-8 national seed and hosting privileges for the NCAA regional and super regional (if we make it that far).
• 9 saves for Kyle Crockett so far this season.  He has settled into the closer's role, and might be the best in the entire nation in handling 9th inning work.

Tuesday vs. Richmond and Wednesday vs. JMU.  Need to go handle business in those games before laying siege to Blacksburg this coming weekend.

GO HOOS!

Notre Dame @ UVA, 2015

This pretty much says it all.

>goosebumps<

Now we just need to make sure we have a team that's good enough to win that game.

Meanwhile, in case you give a crap*, here's Notre Dame's schedule as they tiptoe into this five-games-a-year arrangement with the ACC:

2014
Louisville
North Carolina
Wake Forest
@ Florida State
@ Syracuse (in MetLife Stadium in the Meadowlands)

2015
Boston College
Georgia Tech
@ Clemson
@ Pittsburgh
@ Virginia

2016
Duke
Miami
Virginia Tech
@ NC State
@ Syracuse (in MetLife Stadium in the Meadowlands)


* And you should give a crap, because it just might be the thing that saves the conference from oblivion.


I'm glad to see a true rotation here, and not some BS arrangement where ND keeps it's "traditional" rivalries with BC and GT/Miami on an annual basis, with the other ACC teams rotating into the free 2-3 spots each season.  That said, it might have been better for the conference to sort of force more marquee matchups featuring Notre Dame... more games against FSU, namely.

But it's cool, I'm happy.  We are going to see Virginia take on the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in Scott Stadium in just two years.  Incredible.  If you're any sort of college football fan, there's no way you can avoid being totally PUMPED about this.

Jespy Says Goodbye

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – Virginia men’s basketball head coach Tony Bennett announced Monday (April 15) that sophomore guard Paul Jesperson (Merrill, Wis.) is leaving the Cavaliers’ program.

“Paul has decided to leave the Virginia basketball program and transfer to another school,” Bennett said. “We’d like to thank him for the past two seasons and wish him well in the future.”

The 6-6 Jesperson averaged 3.5 points and 1.7 rebounds in 56 career games at Virginia. He started 33 of 35 games in 2012-13, averaging 4.7 points and 2.2 rebounds per game. Jesperson tallied a career-high 12 points in Virginia’s 80-69 win at Maryland on Feb. 10.

“I would really like to thank my coaches, teammates and all of my supporters for the opportunity I had at UVa,” Jesperson said. “They made my time here unforgettable and I’m extremely grateful for that. I wish them the best and I’m looking forward to continuing my college career at my new school.”

Jespy earned solid playing time (25.7 minutes per game) this past season, but the writing was on the wall that he was soon going to see more time on the bench in favor of Brogdon and the two freshmen point guards.  So, in light of an obviously shrinking role, he opted to cut and run.  I don't begrudge him that at all.  In fact, I'm gracious for what he did give us in two seasons of work, and I'm glad he's opening up this scholarship for us to pursue a big man as part of the 2014 class.

I really have two main highlights from Jesperson's time at UVA:

1) His lockdown defensive effort on Scott Wood when we beat NC State in the JPJ this season.

2) His 4-for-4 performance from 3 in our road win over Maryland.  (In fact, did you know that Jespy hit at least one triple in each of our last 12 games prior to the NIT?  He wasn't a good shooter in terms of how the shot looked or how big of an impact he made from a points-per-game perspective, but he dialed up a .370 clip from deep this season.  That's not horrible.  His 4.7 points per game in almost 26 minutes of playing time was pretty horrible.)

Anyway, I wish Paul Jesperson the best of luck in his continued adventures.

Now... what to do with this spare scholarship that just opened up?  

2014 big man recruit, Paschal Chukwu.  He's 7-foot-2.

More Spring Game

Hey!

Hungry for more info about UVA's Spring Game?

Our friends at Streaking the Lawn did a pretty great two-part piece this week.  You are officially encouraged to read it.

Spring Game Review: Offense

Spring Game Review: Defense

You are also officially encouraged to purchase a Streaking the Lawn tee-shirt.

Meanwhile, after a week of reflection on the Spring Game, I have a few more broad thoughts:

• The defense is going to be good.  Probably the best we've fielded under Mike London.  As long as the young linebackers hold up, we'll have a top-5 unit in the ACC, and the D will win us a few football games this season.
• Thanks to Tom O'Brien's presence, we will in fact pick a quarterback and stick with him.  That quarterback will have his warts, for sure.  But continuity from series to series and week to week and game to game will yield a pretty good QB by season's end.
• If there's one unit that will short-circuit our season, it's not the QBs, but the offensive line.  I am officially VERY worried about the OL this fall.  When you start wondering if any of the incoming freshmen can help on the o-line, it's a really bad sign.
• We'll start giving Adrian Gamble and E.J. Scott more playing time over Dominique Terrell and Darius Jennings.  We have to.  We just have to.
• The following players will ensure that this is a successful* season: Tim Smith, Jake Snyder, Eli Harold, Smoke Mizzell, KP, Jake McGee, Tra Nicholson, Ant Harris, Morgan Moses, Voz, Brent Urban, and Henry Coley.  I have a lot of faith in those 12 guys.

* "Successful" being 6-6 and a bowl appearance.