Just over 48 hours from now, 14 seniors will walk out of the tunnel into Scott Stadium for the final time.
The group may be small in size, but their contributions are anything but that. On the field, they have led Virginia to a 29-18 record and three straight bowl games. They have been selfless, playing for a different coach who did not recruit them. Six have degrees and more will earn them by May.
They will be honored on Saturday for their achievements on the field, and there is ample reason for this.
Though still injured, Chris Canty will return to Scott Stadium for the first time since suffering a knee injury Sept. 25. A two-time All-ACC defensive end, his leadership and energy drove the team. My view of Canty has already been made clear in this space, and his injury should not diminish the legacy he will leave behind.
Elton Brown almost quit high school football because he was being hit too hard. His mom told him that she would hit him harder if he didn't go back out there, and Virginia fans should be grateful to her. The 338-pounder has developed into the nation's best guard, earning midseason All-American honors and paving the way for the nation's sixth-best ground attack. He won the Jacobs Trophy last year and has twice earned ACC offensive lineman of the week.
From the first time Alvin Pearman touched the ball, it was obvious he would be special. He took the opening kickoff in his first game 61 yards and never looked back. He caught 63 passes last year, the most by a running back in school history, and emerged as a durable workhorse this year, with 38 carries for 223 yards against Duke.
He has battled back from both a torn ACL and a knee injury. When the coaches asked him to start a game at receiver earlier this year on less than 48 hours notice, Pearman didn't even balk. He has been part of some memorable plays, namely the receiving end of the "hook and ladder" that beat Georgia Tech in 2001.
Enjoying his best season, Pearman currently leads the ACC in all-purpose yards and ranks second in rushing per ACC game. Similarly, Dennis Haley has battled his share of adversity. He earned the starting outside linebacker job in 2002 but was forced to miss the season for academic reasons. It took him until this year to regain it, and he has responded with 41 tackles.
Marquis Weeks is another player who fits the "team player" mold, switching from tailback to safety over the winter. Always a fierce special teams hitter, Weeks has improved each week and ranks second in tackles while excelling on kickoff coverage.
Many viewed Andrew Hoffman as too small to play nose tackle in the 3-4 scheme, but the three-year starter has become a disruptive force inside this year, largely because of his relentless motor. He has 39 tackles and two sacks too, the first of his career. Virginia coach Al Groh has said publicly that no one is having a better season.
Another unheralded lineman who has made a major impact this year is center Zac Yarbrough. A three-year starter and Rimington Award finalist, Yarbrough was rewarded as ACC Lineman of the Week for his efforts against Maryland. He has yet to allow a sack as a starter and the Cavs are 22-7 when he starts.
Three players who bounced back from injuries to make key contributions as starters are Jay Hardy, Rich Bedesem and Michael McGrew. Hardy is another player who switched positions, moving from cornerback to safety before 2003. He played most of last year with a torn MCL yet still finished third in tackles and spent the offseason in rehab. Bedesem missed almost all of 2001 with a knee injury, but has come back to become a valuable inside linebacker, contributing while bouncing in and out of the starting lineup this year.
McGrew is a three-year starter at receiver who broke his leg in training camp last year and missed the whole season. He opted to return and has been a key leader on the Virginia offense.
Patrick Estes has been a valuable second tight end who is an outstanding blocker in jumbo sets. Brandon Isaiah has made critical plays as a reserve fullback and on special teams. Isaiah Ekejiuba has been a dominant special teams player whose energy can be seen when he takes the field for kickoff coverage and jumps up and down. And Jon Thompson is another such standout who blocked a punt earlier this year.
There may be more Cavaliers who will play for the last time in Scott Stadium on Saturday. (Aside: Ahmad and Heath, please stay in school!) But for these 14 young men, it will definitely be their last walk out of the tunnel.
Let them know how much you appreciate their efforts and contributions. They are truly a special group.
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