Is Learning Curve For Virginia’s Football Team Less Of A Burden?

With eight returning starters on offense and eight on defense, is the learning curve for Virginia’s football team less of a burden as Bronco Mendenhall opened his training camp Friday night?

Well, yes, and no.

“Defensively, especially with eight of the 11 back … and then there’s this pause,” Mendenhall said after the Cavaliers’ first practice. “Without Micah, without Quin, and without who Andrew Brown became, those are still big shoes to fill.

“The identity, the chemistry … there’s confidence and experience, but there’s still some uncertainty in who now replaces that production,” Mendenhall explained. “I think it will be a collective [effort], but certainly the install and reference point, at least from Day One, from what we can do schematically is farther ahead.”

Micah Kiser, Quin Blanding, and Andrew Brown all graduated to NFL training camps as they attempt to make pro rosters. Kiser and Blanding were All-ACC performers and two of the most productive tacklers in the conference over the past three seasons. Brown turned on his game late in his junior season and was so effective last season that most opposing offense had to double-team him in order to negate his presence.

There are also eight returning starters on offense, but having a brand new quarterback also leaves room for Mendenhall’s pause, similar to the question of replacing the defensive trio.

Bryce Perkins, who transferred to UVa after leading Arizona Western Community College to the National Junior College Championship game, won the starting quarterback job in the spring and it’s his job to lose.

“We gave [Perkins] a heavy, heavy load today in terms of volume,” Mendenhall said.

Lindell Stone, a sophomore from Dallas, Texas, via Woodberry Forest, is running as the number two quarterback as camp started, with true freshman Brennan Armstrong, from Shelby, Ohio, running third.

“The rotation between Lindell and Brennan will keep going,” Mendenhall said of the backup quarterback race. “It’s going to be a unique challenge because they’ll get limited reps, hopefully enough. Getting the right backup in place will be one of the challenges going forward.”

Stone had an impressive spring and offseason, going from 190 to 230 pounds, then back down to 218 in the conditioning program under new strength coach Shawn Griswold.

“Griz will do that to you,” Stone beamed.

Missing In Action

Ohio State graduate transfer defensive lineman Dylan Thompson was not in camp, but rather still in Columbus finishing up classes.

“I’ve had enough experience with summer school classes and transfers that I’d love to say what date [Thompson will arrive], but I’d be wrong,” Mendenhall said. “It will be soon, pending completion and passing. I’ve learned that lesson, too. Ten we’ll talk arrival.”

Sophomore guard/center Tyler Fannin attended practice but was on crutches with his left foot in a walking boot. Fannin was injured in June, but coaches weren’t sure if they could comment on whether the lineman underwent surgery or not under privacy laws.

UVa offensive line coach Garrett Tujague (TOO-Jay) said that he expects Fannin back “pretty soon.”

When Mendenhall was asked about Fannin’s timetable on a return to action, the coach cracked: “I don’t know the time frame. That’s easily ‘findoutable,’ so we’ll find out.”

We think Bronco just invented a new word.

Former Texas quarterback Matthew Merrick, who transferred to Virginia prior to the 2017 season, is no longer in the program due to an old injury.

“It came pre-existing and flared up in the summer during conditioning,” Mendenhall said.

The Numbers

Mendenhall was pleased with the increase in numbers in this training camp, his third at UVa, as compared to when he first arrived.

“I believe our roster size my first year was 98,” he said. “We have 124 in camp right now. There are players that aren’t scholarship players that are being drawn to this program, which allows practices to really be more physical, more efficient, and a little longer in terms of repetition just by the sheer numbers.”

Distinguished Guest

One of the first visitors to Virginia’s opening practice was new athletics director Carla Williams.

Williams has been a big supporter of Mendenhall and vice versa. She has taken initial steps in helping the football program by adding to the budget, while also adding personnel in both the recruiting and strength & conditioning programs, and has vowed to do all she can to raise the level of Virginia football.

She gained valuable experience in overseeing Georgia’s football program during her administrative years in Athens, and worked with Kirby Smart, Mark Richt, and formerly with Bobby Bowden at Florida State.

Short Yardage…

• Free safety Juan Thornhill, who has moved into Quin Blanding’s former spot, said he has gained 10 pounds of muscle (now 210) in order to take on running backs.
• Michigan State grad transfer Cassius Peat was working as a defensive end in Friday night’s practice, while Rutgers grad transfer Marcus Applefield (6-foot-5, 300 pounds) was working at right tackle.
• Mendenhall decided to have UVa’s practices at night because the Cavaliers’ first two games of the season are night games: Richmond, Sept. 1, at 6 p.m.; and at Indiana, Sept. 8., at 7:30 p.m.

COMING LATER TODAY: UVa’s offensive line’s numbers are up and that has Bronco smiling.