Undersized Kemp caught Bronco’s eye, and Virginia is so glad he did

By Jerry Ratcliffe

Under most circumstances, Billy Kemp IV wouldn’t be wearing a Virginia uniform.

When he was back in high school at Highland Springs, Kemp attended UVA’s football camp. He didn’t make a splash with the Cavaliers coaching staff, except for a couple sets of eyes.

“Our staff, in most cases, was not endorsing him because of his size (5-foot-9), and his measurables,” said Bronco Mendenhall. “But I did, and Robert did, and that’s really all that mattered.”

Robert is veteran offensive coordinator Robert Anae. He and Mendenhall saw something the others didn’t see.

“There was no one that caught more passes in that time frame,” Mendenhall said. “I’m talking about one workout. No one covered more as a defensive back. No one caught more punts, and he wanted to keep going when basically when the players left, he was wanting people to stay so we could still work.”

That work ethic made a strong impression on Mendenhall and Anae. They didn’t forget that workout and when it came time to recruit, Kemp got an offer.

It proved to be a solid decision by the coaches. Kemp, heading into his senior campaign, is still catching more passes than anyone, is still fielding more punts than anybody, is still 5-9.

In the pandemic-shortened 2020 season Kemp led Virginia in receptions with 67. His next closest competitor, tight end Tony Poljan, had 38.

Kemp was No. 2 in the ACC, and No. 18 nationally in receptions per game with 6.7.

He had 644 yards in receiving yards and a touchdown, which is why he’s on the 2021 Biletnikoff Award watch list, coming off an honorable mention All-ACC year.

It seems that Kemp is almost always open as a slot receiver, a possession receiver who can turn a short throw into a sizable gain. He’s elusive with the ball in his hands, kind of like Julian Edelman used to be with the New England Patriots, making a big first down catch just when it was needed.

“Billy is the epitome of what I like in terms of competitive mindset,” Mendenhall said after a recent practice. “He won’t back down from anyone, and there’s no situation or stages too big. He loves to compete. He plays right to the edge of the rules but within the rules, and he wants to win.

“He makes the very most of the resources and abilities that he has, and he’s one of the best practice players and hardest practice players I’ve ever coached.”

That’s high cotton praise from Mendenhall, who has been a head coach since 2005 and an assistant long before.

Kemp, a soft-spoken man of few words, at least to media, said he was so blessed that some coaches were in his corner at that camp years ago.

“It was like it was meant to be and I’m grateful for the opportunity,” Kemp said. “The undersized, you can come in with a chip on your shoulder, something to prove. I feel like I have that every day, so just going out there and trying to become the best I can, and help the group become the best they can.”

He believes as good of a season as he’s had that there’s more work to be done, fixing any of the mistakes he made, always room to get better. Those things motivate him daily.

“I expect more of myself,” Kemp said.

He works hard on his conditioning, and no matter how many pass routes he might have completed in a row during a game, he’s always ready for the next play.

“Elite receivers you watch in the NFL or even college football, they don’t get tired,” Kemp said. “They can run for days, and if you can run and don’t get tired , nobody can stop you.”

Kemp is likely UVA’s punt returner this season after having held that job a year ago. More running.

It’s a job that requires focus on catching and securing the ball, and fearlessness to dodge would-be tacklers arriving at full speed.

Kemp owns all those traits, always has. He just needed someone to notice.

Mendenhall is glad he did.