Here's a line you might have read while sifting through coverage of Virginia football: Antwoine Womack is quietly leading the ACC in rushing this season.
But it's not entirely true. Though Womack is tight-lipped with reporters, which limits the coverage and hype he receives, teammates say he is anything but quiet - at least on the field.
"Antwoine never shuts up," linebacker Donny Green said, laughing. "He tells guys they're not going to make the hit as he's cutting through them, saying 'I got you' and all types of things. He just rambles on. He's definitely having fun out there."
Off the field, however, Womack keeps away from the media that has dogged him since he took a leave of absence from the team in April of 1999. This season, he wisely chose to let his actions on the field do the talking for him.
|
The 6-foot, 215 pound junior has gained 803 yards in eight games, averaging five yards every time he touches the ball. Womack's seven touchdowns tie him with quarterback Dan Ellis for most on the team.
His 100.4 rushing yards per game average tops the ACC. Clemson's Woodrow Dantzler and Travis Zachery are ahead of Womack on the ACC total rushing yards list, but those two have played one more game than Womack.
It's even a slight surprise that Womack is starting this season for the Cavaliers. Womack was rusty in the preseason after sitting out the 1999 season and 2000 spring workouts while dealing with legal and academic troubles. Sophomore Arlen Harris began the season as the starting back, but he injured his knee in the first game against Brigham Young.
Womack took that opportunity to show he hadn't lost a step in his year off, rushing for 160 yards and two touchdowns in the loss to BYU Sept. 2. The coaching staff named him the starter the next week against Richmond, and he hasn't slowed down since.
"He's obviously running the ball very well, but he's becoming a more complete running back now," Ellis said. "Two years ago, when he was here, you could throw it to him and it was like throwing to a brick wall. Now you throw it to him and he's making tough catches. He's understanding defenses better. He can block. He can do everything."
Coach George Welsh has noticed a marked physical improvement in Womack as the year has progressed, but said he thought Womack had made the biggest improvement in his mental approach to the game.
During his career, Womack has had several brushes with the law. Womack was convicted of assault and battery for improperly touching a female student at a Nov. 9, 1997, party at the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity house.
He again was convicted of misdemeanor assault and battery stemming from a Feb. 7, 1999, assault of two former University students. Current Cavalier football players Devon Simmons and John Duckett also were convicted and suspended for one year for their roles in the attack. Welsh said these circumstances have forced Womack to be cognizant of his actions and their repercussions.
"I think he's more mature. There's no question," Welsh said. "I think what he went through would be very sobering to anybody, especially at that age."
Part of that maturity has been taking a step back from the spotlight and knowing when to confront the media during the season. Aside from a preseason press conference, Womack has eluded most of the press for one-on-one interviews, forcing the media to report on his on-field performances.
"Having that year off got him a little more focused coming back into the season," Green said. "He's definitely a little more wary of the people that are observing him, especially with what's happened to him in the past."
After all Womack has been through, it's hard to believe he still has another year of eligibility left. Welsh said that with a disciplined winter program, he could be as quick as he was in his freshman season when "he was as fast as Thomas Jones or maybe a little bit faster."
Next season could be the year that Womack makes Virginia permanently forget about that Thomas-somebody-or-other. But don't hold your breath waiting for him to talk about it.
Read More
Mel Josephson and women’s lacrosse prepare to take center stage
By Xander Tilock | 13 hours agoJosephson's ability to perform throughout a game's biggest moments is crucial for the Cavaliers.
Virginia schools can pay players through NIL, but the University should proceed with caution
By Emory Huffman | YesterdayGiven the unique academic and athletic opportunities Virginia is able to offer its athletes, it is not shocking that Virginia has been resistant to extravagant, NIL-induced changes.
Record-setting weekend for Virginia track and field at Penn Relays and Virginia High Performance
By Tanmayi Patil | 2 days agoThe Cavaliers took down records across two events over the weekend.
