[jcmanson]

Offense
Quarterback:
We lose 2 year starter Mike Brown and enter the offseason for the first time in several years uncertain as to who our quarterback will be.

12 Tyler Brennan RSr
18 Brian Hudson RJr
11 Gabe Henderson RSo
6 Josh Woodrum RFr

Running Back:
We return all of our running backs and should be the building block of our Offense in 2012.

20 Aldreakis Allen RJr
24 SirChauncey Holloway Sr
5 Korey Davis RSr
22 Desmond Rice So

Wide Receiver:
We lose 4 of our top 5 receivers from this season. A lot of youth and inexperience litter this position. Depending on what happens with the QB battle we could see Gabe Henderson in the mix here as well.

9 Pat Kelly Sr
83 Ryan Ferguson Sr
15 Greg Pratt RJr
25 Chase Barnett RJr

Offensive Line:
We return 4 of 5 starters and 7 of our 10 man 2-deep. Hopefully this group can be seen as a strength.

LT Stan Herring RJr
Grant Jones So

LG Malcolm Boyd Sr
Greg Ray RSo

C Jay Weatherington Sr
Kevin Widener RSo

RG Aaron Lundy RSr
Andre Mondor RSo

RT Grant Jones?? So
DJ Sellman?? RSr

Tight End:
We lose Tommy Shaver who became a threat this season.

Brandon Apon RJr
Andy Cordasco RSo

Fullback:
We return our starter in Peter Gagliardi.

Peter Gagliardi RJr
Matt Baptiste RSo

I think you’ll see our offense return to a more traditional, run-first oriented team with a strong OLine and plenty of depth and skill at RB. Pat Kelly will step forward as our go to receiver and Ferguson will be a solid #2. The rotation of Pratt/Barnett/Henderson will give us an explosive 3rd option. I fully expect Tyler Brennan to win the QB job and be a solid, but not spectacular QB for us in his 5th year in the program.

Defense
Defensive Line:
We only lose Asa upfront. Otherwise our DLine should be solid in 2012.

DE Francis Bah RJr
Cory Freeman RJr
Paco Varol RJr
Dylan Bowman So

NT Greg Schuster RSr
Bryan Llewellyn RSr

Linebacker:
This should be a special group with 3 of the 4 starters returning with plenty of experience.

DLB Demetrius Ward Sr
DJ Edmond RSr

MLB Nick Sigmon RSo
Chase Griffiths RJr

JLB Scott Hyland Jr
Jimmy O’Grady RSo

Drop Brent Vinson Sr
Randy Spann RSo

Secondary:
Shouldn’t be a weakness as we have plenty of guys with experience and talent.

BCB Walt Aikens RJr
Kevin Fogg Sr

FCB Ryan Ayers RSo
Kenny Scott RSo

WS Jacob Hagen RSo
Andrew Jauch So

FS Chris Mayo RJr

A lot of the talk of our defense really involves the schemes and coaches. Is Clark still coach? If not, does it matter? We have talent, depth, and experience to have a special defense in 2012.

Special Teams
I have no idea who will be our punter or kicker. We don’t actually have a punter on the roster. As for the kicker, Alex Kacere showed flashes while Bevins was injured, but I think we will bring in another true freshman to challenge him.

And of course we have Kevin Fogg who is a dynamic returner. Why not put him at punt returner as well?

Schedule
@ Wake Forest
Vs Lehigh
Vs Norfolk State
???
???
Vs Gardner Webb
Vs Charleston Southern
Vs Stony Brook
@ Coastal
@ VMI
@ Presby
We have another very challenging schedule facing us in 2012. All that really matters though is the conference slate as we continue to try to make the playoffs. Gardner Webb and Charleston Southern shouldn’t be a problem at the Bill. Stony Brook obviously will be the frontrunner to win the conference, but we have them at home. VMI, regardless of where we play them, should be a win. Playing @ Presby scares me a bit, but I still think we should win the game. @ Coastal is always tough.

[BJWilliams]

I think we could see a true freshman step into the punting duties much like we saw with Mike Larsson. I think things may also depend on how recruiting goes for us this year. Other than that I think you got things pretty well pegged as far as our two deep. Youll probably see our signees get redshirted unless its a position where we have to play someone (e.g. punter as previously noted)

[Sly Fox]

Thanks for laying that out for us. I was about to do the same thing. You saved me the effort.

QB

Frankly I have no idea how this is going to go down in the battle for starter next year. Obviously Tyler has the leg up. But everybody I have talked to who has seen Gabe & Josh practice love their upsides. This looks wide open but I wouldn't rule out a transfer shaking this up even more. And no, I'm not thinking of anyone in Charlottesville.

WR

This is really the only other question mark on the offensive side of the ball because the backfield and line look strong coming back. Pat is obviously our go-to man next season and Ryan Ferguson showed us enough to believe he is capable of being a solid #2. Pratt & Barnett have the tools to really have an impact. But they haven't shown in on the field yet. Once again, I wouldn't rule out a transfer stepping here as well.

Defense

On paper we have a ton of talent. Obviously on the field we didn't see enough of it the last three games. Whether or not we have a scheme change really doesn't change the fact that we need tackle better and create turnovers. I believe we have the potential to improve both dramatically.

Special Teams

Alex the Lebanese Lion was clearly inconsistent but showed some potential in his freshman season. He clearly needs to develop some consistency but at least he is now battle-tested heading into next year. That wouldn't have been the case if Matt hadn't have been injured. Larsson's loss really hurts. We really need someone to step up either internally or come into the program right away. He was one of our most underrated weapons the past few years. And obviously Josh has proven his level of excellence as a kick returner. Somebody needs to step up on punts. Plenty were given an opportunity this season and nobody ran with it. I'm hoping Ryan takes it to the next level in 2012.

Schedule

Barring some offseason changes, our schedule looks really challenging next fall. There are only two games that I believe we have no excuse losing with the 9 games we have confirmed. Then again, if we have a couple of kids step up there isn't a game on there that is out of reach including Wake.

[RVAparks]

Man am I excited about this:

???
???

[RVAparks]

We're not playing Xxxx, we're playing ????

[Flame On]

Thanks, jcmanson and Sly for breaking this down. I appreciate your analysis.

I have been pretty bummed the past 24 hours with the results that we got Saturday plus reading all the comments. In fact, I had planned to give the football Board a break for a while until I got over this past weekend, but I think I will hang around.

There is always hope, I guess. that we can make a go of it next time.

[BiggAl57]

Catching punts is a very different skill from fielding kicks. That's not to say Kevin can't learn. I kind of hope he does.

The schedule is going to be brutal. I do think Brennan is our QB and we won't pursue a transfer at the position unless someone golden falls in our lap. Doesn't look like that would be Rocco at this point. He's gaining favor at UVA all the time. Gabe will be a big part of the offense as a slot WR and wildcat QB. Tyler will continue to run the ball more than conventional wisdom would suggest.

Barring some significant changes I think we are looking at something like this...

Wake L
Lehigh W
Norfolk St W
Xxxx L
Xxxx W
Gwebb W
VMI W
CSU W
Presby W
Coastal L
SBU L

We finish with 6 division 1 wins.

So you are suggesting that one of the XXXX games will be a D2 school??

[SumItUp]

Did Grant Jones play this year or was he redshirted?

[No Fear]

Little Rocco is doing better at UVA, but unfortunately with the lose at NC State and NC, and I am thinking slaughter at VT, not sure if he has the job locked up. He is doing good and I am pulling for him, but London just doesn't seem to be behind him for their long term QB.
London's style is a QB more like Mike (a runner), not like Rocco.
London is still new and needs to win big to secure his status. He is cleaning house (which is good) but is also too unpredictable.
I am not sure of all the politics or his academic plans etc... and maybe it is best if Little Rocco doesn't play for his Uncle.. but I say this is his home and welcome back!
I think it would be in Rocco's best interest to come to LU and walk into a good team in need of a good QB with home town support - to take LU to the next level. If he stays at UVA, I think London has plans to replace him with a more mobile QB as soon as he has one ready, and he is grooming and recruiting for them now.
I wish him luck, but I think he'll be standing on the sidelines soon, instead of leading LU to the play-offs.

[Purple Haize]

Little Rocco is doing better at UVA, but unfortunately with the lose at NC State and NC, and I am thinking slaughter at VT, not sure if he has the job locked up. He is doing good and I am pulling for him, but London just doesn't seem to be behind him for their long term QB.
London's style is a QB more like Mike (a runner), not like Rocco.
London is still new and needs to win big to secure his status. He is cleaning house (which is good) but is also too unpredictable.
I am not sure of all the politics or his academic plans etc... and maybe it is best if Little Rocco doesn't play for his Uncle.. but I say this is his home and welcome back!
I think it would be in Rocco's best interest to come to LU and walk into a good team in need of a good QB with home town support - to take LU to the next level. If he stays at UVA, I think London has plans to replace him with a more mobile QB as soon as he has one ready, and he is grooming and recruiting for them now.
I wish him luck, but I think he'll be standing on the sidelines soon, instead of leading LU to the play-offs.

You realize we already have a thread about this?

[PAmedic]

I am suggesting that. I don't know that. I could be wrong. As far as I know that game is still open. Thus, I am guessing it will end up being a d2.

still wonder why we don't look to bring in Campbell, Davidson, or another non-scholly DI rather than a DII- even though they may be a good DII

just doesnt pay to schedule down. Had we beat a Pioneer league team this year we wouldve been a candidate for an at-large

[terv33]

As far as Qb situation keep your eye on #18. Based on what I've seen in limited action this year and on the practice field, he should win the starting job hands down. He is bigger,stronger,faster,more accurate and mobile than Brennan. He was heavily recruited by many D-1 programs and appears to be very ready. I sat by one of his high school coaches at one of the games and he told me when he starts to play everyone will wonder where he's been. He's a winner
Loooking forward to the spring.
He'll have the weapons he needs to get us to playoffs

[jcmanson]

I am suggesting that. I don't know that. I could be wrong. As far as I know that game is still open. Thus, I am guessing it will end up being a d2.

still wonder why we don't look to bring in Campbell, Davidson, or another non-scholly DI rather than a DII- even though they may be a good DII

just doesnt pay to schedule down. Had we beat a Pioneer league team this year we wouldve been a candidate for an at-large

Agreed completely Medic. Schedule Campbell, Davidson, anyone before a D2

[flamehunter]

As far as Qb situation keep your eye on #18. Based on what I've seen in limited action this year and on the practice field, he should win the starting job hands down. He is bigger,stronger,faster,more accurate and mobile than Brennan. He was heavily recruited by many D-1 programs and appears to be very ready. I sat by one of his high school coaches at one of the games and he told me when he starts to play everyone will wonder where he's been. He's a winner
Loooking forward to the spring.
He'll have the weapons he needs to get us to playoffs

How is 6-3 205 bigger than 6-4 220? And he's had three years but was still behind Brennan on the depth chart. Why is that? I'm not down on Hudson, thought he looked better than Brennan at times but not very good at all at CSU. Just don't see the evidence of what you are saying.

[RVAparks]

The question is... Does Davidson, Campbell, etc have an opening? You have to remember they both play 8 conference games, schedule a a powder puff themselves, and I know Campbell has a 2 and 1 agreement with both Georgia State and ODU.

[NotAJerry]

Little Rocco is doing better at UVA, but unfortunately with the lose at NC State and NC, and I am thinking slaughter at VT,

It's not at VT, it's a home game for UVA. London is going to have that team playing in the ACC championship game in his 2nd season there. Pretty impressive even with an ACC that isn't very good.

[NotAJerry]

As far as Qb situation keep your eye on #18. Based on what I've seen in limited action this year and on the practice field, he should win the starting job hands down. He is bigger,stronger,faster,more accurate and mobile than Brennan. He was heavily recruited by many D-1 programs and appears to be very ready. I sat by one of his high school coaches at one of the games and he told me when he starts to play everyone will wonder where he's been. He's a winner
Loooking forward to the spring.
He'll have the weapons he needs to get us to playoffs

I watched him quite a bit in HS. He's very good and should win the starting job. It does appear that Woodrum was an even higher rated traditional QB recruit, so hopefully that is the direction the program will be going.

[Flamesfan4ever]

If UVA beats VT, Mike Rocco will be an insta-legend in Charlottesville and you can forget about him going anywhere ...except maybe the NFL in a couple of years.

[SumItUp]

Did Grant Jones play this year or was he redshirted?

?

[jcmanson]

Did Grant Jones play this year or was he redshirted?

?

Sorry Sum I meant to answer you earlier. Yes Grant did play. He was part of our 2 deep as he worked his way up to 2nd string LT.

[NG33]

Did Grant Jones play this year or was he redshirted?

?

Checking the Game Participation stats he played in 8 games this year.

Edit: Haha what Manson said