Offensive Analysis
It's all up to Marques Hagans. The versatile playmaker will get his shot at running the precise passing game using his good arm and all-around athleticism to take over for Matt Schaub. While he has the knowledge of the offense and the ability to be a fine quarterback, he doesn't have the wide receivers with an average overall group if some of the true sophomores don't shine through. TE Heath Miller will once again be the most dangerous receiver. All five starters return to the line to pave the way for Wali Lundy and Alvin Pearman.
Star of the offense: Junior TE Heath Miller
Player that has to step up and become a star: Junior QB Marques Hagans
Unsung star on the rise: Sophomore OG Ian-Yates Cunningham
Best pro prospect: Miller
Top three all-star candidates: 1) Miller, 2) OG Elton Brown, 3) RB
Wali Lundy
Strength of the offense: Running backs, offensive line experience
Weakness of the offense: Wide receiver
Quarterbacks
Projected Starter
- Marques Hagans, Jr. - Possibly the ACC's number one X factor, Hagans will get the first shot at running the Cavalier offense after filling in for Matt Schaub for a few games completing 17 of 26 passes for 218 yards and three touchdowns. The short, fast Hagans isn't the prototype quarterback for the Virginia attack that is better suited for a tall timing passer, but he is accurate, has a strong arm, and adds a rushing element that Schaub never had.
Top Backups
- Christian Olsen, Soph. - The Notre Dame transfer is a big passer with a huge arm. He doesn't know the offense like Marques Hagans does and doesn't have anywhere near the same mobility, but he has pushed ahead of Anthony Martinez for the number two job.
The Skinny: Marques Hagans overcomes his size with his quickness and
ability to throw on the run. He'll have to shine right away with a great prospect
like Christian Olsen waiting in the wings. All that matters is accuracy and
limited mistakes. If Hagans can accomplish that with his arm, his legs will
make him one of the ACC's most dangerous players.
Player to keep an eye on: Christian Olsen ... Quarterback Rating: 7
Running Backs
Projected Starter
- Wali Lundy, Jr. - Lundy has turned in two dependable, and occasionally explosive, seasons rushing for 1,755 yards and scoring 16 times on the ground. He isn't left out of the passing game with with 87 catches over the last two years for 688 yards and eight scores. He is on the verge of being a top pro prospect with his size and all-around skills.
- Fullback Jason Snelling, Jr. - The 228-pound Snelling isn't a huge blocker, but he has good all-around skills and will be a key cog in the offense. He ran for 38 yards, caught 31 passes for 314 yards and four touchdowns and isn't all that bad a blocker.
Top Backups
- Alvin Pearman, Sr. - Pearman overcame a knee injury to regain his form a speedy back in the Cavalier attack. He ran for 643 yards and four touchdowns and was second on the team with 63 catches for 518 yards and four touchdowns.
- Michael Johnson, Soph. - The coaching staff is desperate to find a spot on the field for the lightning fast Johnson. He might end up at receiver, but he'll also get a little time in the backfield to use his home-run hitting speed.
- Brandon Isaiah, Sr. - Mostly a special teams performer, the 227-pound senior also gets plenty of work as a backup fullback. He'll play behind Jason Snelling.
The Skinny: Wali Lundy and Alvin Pearman form one of the nation's best
pair of pass catching running backs. Both can run as well as they should combine
for at least 1,500 yards if speedster Michael Johnson doesn't take away too
many carries. Jason Snelling and Brandon Isaiah are solid all-around fullbacks.
Player to keep an eye on: Michael Johnson ... Running Back Rating: 8.5
Receivers
Projected Starters
- Deyon Williams, Soph. - Williams needs a ton of polish and work, but he is the team's top young deep threat and a has the hands to become a reliable receiver. He made eight catches for 122 yards and a touchdown as a true freshman.
- Michael McGrew, Sr. - The big and physical McGrew returns after missing last season with a broken leg. He was all set to have a break out year before the injury after averaging 16.7 yards per grab in 2002.
- Tight end Heath Miller, Sr. - Miller is the nation's best tight end and the front-runner for the Mackey Award after exploding for 70 catches for 835 yards and six touchdowns giving him 15 career touchdown catches. He gets all the credit for his receiving skills, but he is also a top blocker.
Top Backups
- Fontel Mines, Soph. - The 6-5, 205-pound sophomore made six grabs for 66 yards and a touchdown as a true freshman. He's a physical receiver who will be devastating against smaller, quicker corners. He'll start out backing up Michael McGrew.
- Ottowa Anderson, Sr. - Anderson was an effective receiver over the last two seasons coming off a 33 grab, 407-yard, two touchdown year. While quick and with good hands, he was an underrated blocker who helped spring several big plays last year. However, classroom and legal troubles have forced him off the team.
- Patrick Estes, Sr. - Lost in the limelight of Heath Miller, the 6-7, 262-pound Estes would be a top tight end for most teams. He's a strong blocker and a decent pass catcher in two tight end sets.
The Skinny: Michael McGrew returns from his broken leg to provide an
experienced and reliable target. Fontel Mines and Deyon Williams need to grow
into top playmakers to give the corps some pizzazz. The star of the show is
tight end Heath Miller who will be a millionaire next year at this time if
he decides to leave early.
Player to keep an eye on: Fontel Mines ... Receiver Rating: 6
Offensive Line
Projected Starters
- Tackle D'Brickashaw Ferguson, Jr. - Ferguson has the talent to become a star on the line, but he's missing the bulk at only 265 pounds. He has been a starter from day one as a top pass protector with impressive feet. Even with all of his experience he's still very young and still growing and getting better.
- Guard Ian-Yates Cunningham, Soph. - A top performer as a true freshman, Cunningham earned Freshman All-America honors after taking over the starting job on the left side. Even though he's already 6-6 and 309 pounds, he is still getting bigger, stronger and better.
- Center Zac Yarbrough, Sr. - Yarbrough is one of the ACC's most experienced centers, but he needs to be more consistent and more dominant. He lost his job for a little while before getting it back late in the year.
- Guard Elton Brown, Sr. - One of the best linemen in the ACC, if not the best, the 6-6, 333-pound Brown didn't make the All-ACC First Team yet found a way to win the Jacobs Blocking Trophy as the league's best offensive lineman. He'll be on everyone's first-team this year as one of the most athletic pass protecting big men in America.
- Tackle Brad Butler, Jr. - The 6-8 Butler started every game last year and is growing into a top all-around blocker after hitting the weights. He's the team's most dependable lineman almost impossible to get off the field.
Top Backups
- T Brian Barthelmes, Jr. - A starter for most of last year. Barthelmes was replaced by Ian-Yates Cunningham in the starting mix halfway through last season. Now the 6-7, 286-pound junior will be a top backup at both guard and tackle.
- G Rob Darden, Soph. - One of the only backup guards with any experience, the 309-pound sophomore will be a key player behind Ian-Yates Cunningham on the left side.
The Skinny: All five starters return to one of the ACC's best lines.
There are three All-Conference candidates headed up by Elton Brown, who will
also be in the mix for All-America honors, along with rising stars D'Brickashaw
Ferguson and Ian-Yates Cunningham. Even with all the returning experience,
expect lots of shuffling among the reserves as the coaching staff tries to
fit all of the pieces into place.
Player to keep an eye on: Ian-Yates Cunningham ... Offensive Line Rating: 9
