- November 16th, 2006, 9:41 am
#41571
The Roanoke fishwrap reported that former UVA recruit and ex JMU player robbie catterton is interested in coming to LU. here is what i could find on the kid. quite the athlete, but ju,ping form school to school is a big question mark for me.
this is from 2002
this is from 2002
SabreMail - June 21, 2002
Catterton commits to Hoos
Last week, Robbie Catterton III, a 6-3, 190-pound combo sport athlete from Kellam High School in Va. Beach, announced his decision to attend UVa on a football scholarship. The Virginia Beach native liked what he saw in Virginia during a junior recruiting visit and committed to the Hoos while on Grounds. Catterton will have the opportunity to play both baseball and football at UVa.
Catterton is very fast and has been timed at 4.4 at the Nike Camp and 4.39 at UVa's camp last summer. Catterton is known for his quickness and instincts on both the football and baseball fields, but his skills aren't limited to those two sports. Catterton also played goalie for his high school soccer team, so the term "all-around athlete" can definitely be used to describe this young man.
While only a few schools had offered Catterton before his commitment (Virginia, Wake Forest and Kent State), there were over 30 schools expressing strong interest, including Virginia Tech, Tennessee and Notre Dame.
Catterton is a hard hitter and will likely try out for safety when he arrives in July 2003. Catterton is also an exceptional baseball player. He chose Virginia primarily for academics, but the ability to play both baseball and football at UVa really sold him. Catterton will likely play outfield for the Cavalier baseball team.
Yesterday, TheSabre.com had the opportunity to speak with Robbie while he was in Charlottesville playing baseball at St Anne's Belfield. We also had the pleasure of speaking with Robert Catterton, Sr. as well as Robbie's high school head football coach Chris DeWitt. Here's what they had to say…
Comments from his father, Robert Catterton, Jr.
On the interest of other schools
“There were roughly 35 or so [schools] that had expressed interest before [his commitment to UVa]. It was amazing all of the mail that he got. They saw his Nike Camp performance and it started getting hot and heavy. After the one May period when [coaches] can call you on the telephone, he was getting six or seven calls a night. Carolina called twice one night. We were supposed to be at Tennessee on the 22nd, the day he committed to Virginia.”
On playing both sports
“Both of us sat in Coach Groh's office and talked for over an hour, and that was a specific question that we asked, and he said that he would give him the opportunity to try out for the baseball team. “He'll probably play in the outfield. We've already talked to Coach [Dennis] Womack about that. I've spoken with Coach Womack several times. He was down for the tryouts for the Commonwealth and watched all of the players in the state. We talked a little bit – Robbie had been to his hitting camp in the winter, and as soon as they watched him run 6.5 [in the 60-yard dash], they said, 'We want you.' And, at the Commonwealth, he ran a 6.4, which was the fastest in the state.”
On Robbie's assets as a football player
“He's really aggressive and very smart. He seems like he knows what's going to happen with a play before it happens. UVa Coach Bob Price mentioned that Robbie's really instinctive. He mentioned that when Robbie was at his camp last year at the end of his sophomore year. We were supposed to go to Ohio State's camp, but Coach Price came down to the combine and said he really wanted to see him at the camp.”
On Robbie's toughness as a defensive back
“He likes to hit people. He plays outside linebacker in high school. Coach Groh took a serious look at him. When we sat in his office, he listed 16 things he liked from the tape he saw on Robbie.”
Comments from Coach Chris Dewitt
“He's lightning fast. He has absolutely killed people on some plays the last few years. He's been playing with our varsity since the 9th grade. He's just done an outstanding job. I think the University of Virginia is lucky to have him. I know they like him. Coach Groh studies more and more film every time I talk to him. He's watched hours of film. He knows almost play for play [Robbie's] highlight film. [Coach Groh] must have really evaluated him for a long time.
“[UVa's] going to use him at safety, but he plays outside linebacker for us. We do give him some deep responsibilities. I think he's going to do great there. I think Virginia had an edge over a lot of people because Robbie went to their camp last year. They actually got to see him play safety. A lot of schools wanted him to come to camps to see what he does over the top, but UVa already did. Robbie liked UVa. It was a good fit. I'm glad that Robbie made his decision and I think he's as happy as he can be about it.
“[On the football field], he sees things well. His presence is unbelievable, and he really gives one heck of a blow when he gets to you. He's forced many turnovers. In the last few years, he's caused probably 15 turnovers. Last year alone, I know he had five or six interceptions. He can hit and he can play, and he's enough of a football player to play strong safety.”
On Robbie's speed
“I'd say that Robbie is a 4.4 guy [in the forty]. I know he broke the Virginia Commonwealth 60-yard record at the baseball tryouts. Because he's so long and lean, the forty might not be his best. The only thing he hasn't done here is run track, and he could probably win some titles in the 100 and 200. His top end speed is unbelievable. Virginia Tech has Cedric Humes up there. One of the plays on the highlight film has Robbie walking down Cedric on a long run. And Cedric is a 4.4 guy. In football, we'll work with some of the players on their starts. But because of baseball, we haven't really been able to work with Robbie on the forty.”
On Virginia's efforts with Robbie
“All of the other college coaches did a great job, but Virginia is knocking down the doors to get the kids that they want, and that makes the kids feel good. They made Robbie feel good, and he's liked Virginia since I've known him. Robbie went ahead and pulled the trigger early, and that's good for everybody.”
Interview with Robbie Catterton
Why an early commitment to Virginia?
“I've always felt comfortable with Virginia. Coach Groh was the first person to send me a letter on September 1st. They Fed Ex'd a package saying that they wanted me. I went up there for three football games and two basketball games. And Coach Groh came into school on May 21st and officially offered me. They told me they had four senior safeties that were graduating this year, and will only have two on campus my freshmen year. I may have a chance to start or play early. The recruiting class that they got last year helped a lot, and I know they're only going to go up in their recruiting. The players that they're getting are going to be contending for the national championship."
What else helped you with your decision?
“The facilities are great and school is great. I know that, even if I don't make it to the NFL after Virginia, I'm going to be set with a job. It's close to home, although that wasn't much of a factor. I've been a UVa fan for a while.”
What will be your curriculum?
“I've been thinking about two things, sports management or pre-law, but I'm undecided. I'll think more about it next year.”
Who else was high on your list?
“Notre Dame has always been a dream school, but they haven't been getting the players that they used to get. Tennessee, Maryland, UNC, Ohio State, Michigan and Michigan State were up there.”
How important was it to be able to play baseball in college?
“That helped out a lot [with my decision]. I've always wanted to play both sports in college, but football is going to come first and we'll see how the first fall goes. Coach Groh is giving me the opportunity to play, so I'm going to take advantage of that.”
Who would you compare yourself to as a safety?
“I'd have to say John Lynch. I've always liked him and I think he's got a playing style that I mostly resemble.”
What position do you play best?
“Safety is my stronger position. I can play both receiver and safety. Virginia Tech was recruiting me as an athlete, but they were thinking about me playing receiver. I think I'm a better fit at defense – that's where I belong.”
People say you're a hard hitter. What's your most memorable hit?
“It was the Homecoming game of my sophomore year against Green Run. I was coming up on an option play to tackle running back Donte Newsome. I almost made him do a back flip and he fumbled the ball. That made me feel pretty good.”
What's your greatest asset as a football player?
“My mentality. I feel that I know the game of football. I know where to be and when to be there. At safety, I can help the defense get set up.”
What do you enjoy most about playing baseball?
“Baseball is a great sport. I've played baseball since I was five years old. At first it was just playing for the fun of the game, but now it's getting pretty serious. It could be a career. That would be the great thing about playing both sports in college. Baseball would be a great sport to fall back on [if things don't pan out with football at the pro level].”
Cavaliers' Catterton Transfers to James Madison
By Jim Reedy
Special to The Washington Post
Tuesday, August 24, 2004; Page D06
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Aug. 23 -- Robbie Catterton, a sophomore safety expected to play an important reserve role this season, quit the Virginia football team Saturday night, unhappy with the amount of playing time he was told to expect this season.
Catterton transferred to James Madison, where he will be able to play this fall for the Division I-AA team, his father, Bob, said Monday night from the family's home in Virginia Beach.
Catterton, who played in 10 games as a freshman last season, had been making what Coach Al Groh called "substantial forward progress," but was playing behind senior starters Jermaine Hardy and Marquis Weeks.
The Virginia coaches "told him he's been playing better than he's ever been playing and that he'd have every opportunity to play," Bob Catterton said. "I guess on Wednesday they called him in and told him it's a long process and wanted him to be a special teams performer. . . . He didn't want to wait. . . . There's no hard feelings on his part at all."
Groh said he wasn't shocked when Robbie Catterton asked to be released from his scholarship.
"He's kind of moved in that direction a couple of other times before, and we've had conversations with him and he's come back," Groh said.
Catterton was at JMU football practice Monday night and could not be reached, but his father disputed Groh's contention that Robbie had considered leaving before: "I would say that's wrong. . . . It all happened so suddenly, even I was thrown by it."
Groh said two of Virginia's three freshman safeties -- likely Nate Lyles and Jamaal Jackson -- could join redshirt sophomore Lance Evans on the second-team defense.
"I told one of them at the end of last week, 'Get ready,' " said Groh, whose Cavaliers, ranked 16th in the preseason, open the season Sept. 4 at Temple.
CATTERTON LEAVES JMU FOOTBALL PROGRAM
HARRISONBURG, Va., August 11 2005 - James Madison University football coach Mickey Matthews announced today that junior strong safety Robbie Catterton (Virginia Beach, Va./Kellam) has voluntarily left the program.
"After sitting out of practice on Wednesday and discussing his football future with his parents, Robbie has decided to leave the JMU football team," said Matthews. "I'm pleased to say that he will remain at James Madison to complete his degree and wish him the best as a JMU student."
Catterton (6'2", 200) transferred to JMU prior to the 2004 national championship season from the University of Virginia, where he played for the Cavaliers as a true freshman in 2003.
Catterton played in the first three games with the Dukes last fall before being sidelined with a shoulder injury. He had three tackles in those three games. In preseason practice, which began on Monday, he was competing with redshirt freshman Marcus Haywood (Williamsburg, Va./Bruton) for the backup slot to returning starter and senior Bruce Johnson (Lithonia, Ga./Lakeside).
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