Sophomore fullback Jason Snelling will most likely sit out the upcoming season with an undisclosed medical condition, according to coach Al Groh.
"Jason's got some health issues that he's dealing with," Groh said. "In order to give him the best opportunity to solidify those things and at the same time concentrate on his academics, our plan is to hold him this year."
Snelling proved a valuable offensive weapon for the Cavaliers midway through last season, catching 31 balls and scoring four touchdowns. He recorded a career-high eight catches for 93 yards in a loss to Georgia Tech. He missed Virginia's bowl victory, however, reportedly suffering from the same medical condition.
Junior Brandon Isaiah will replace Snelling as the back-up behind senior fullback Kase Luzar.
Notre Dame QB to Transfer to Virginia
A backup quarterback from Notre Dame is transferring to Virginia, according to various professional news sources. The sophomore will sit out the upcoming season and have three years of eligibility with the Cavaliers beginning in 2004. Virginia recruited Chris Olsen in high school before the Wayne, N.J. native committed to the Fighting Irish.
Olsen was named offensive MVP in Notre Dame's spring game and figures to challenge quarterbacks Anthony Martinez and Kevin McCabe for the starting spot this spring following the departure of senior Matt Schaub.
Groh declined to comment on the situation until Olsen officially becomes part of the Cavaliers.
"Should he become an officially accepted student at the University of Virginia, I think that's the most appropriate time to say something," Groh said.
Competition for the starting spot should be wide open in the spring, with neither Martinez nor McCabe distinguishing themselves as the heir apparent to Schaub.
At Monday's press conference, Groh hinted that if Schaub were to go down this season, the situation would resemble that of the Atlanta Falcons in their first preseason game after losing Michael Vick, a performance Virginia radio anchor Mac McDonald described as "pretty rough."
Brooks Gets Starting Nod
Freshman linebacker Ahmad Brooks will start against Duke Saturday after gaining a starting spot from Bryan White. Brooks, the most highly-anticipated recruit in recent memory, looks forward to proving himself against the Blue Devils.
"I'm very excited," Brooks said. "I've got my orange jersey, and I just have to keep it right now. I'm just excited to play on Saturday."
Groh awards orange practice jerseys to the defensive starters and presented Brooks his jersey before last Saturday's practice.
He's shown "a higher level of consistency," Groh said. "What this player has been able to assimilate in a short period of time is quite extensive and very impressive to me. He's been exposed to an awful lot. I'm very confident that he'll get off to a good start."
Brooks agreed that he's learned a great deal since arriving in Charlottesville in January, and that his learning is not over.
"I have a pretty good grasp of what I'm doing," Brooks said. "I still have a lot to learn about what Duke might do."
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