Looking Ahead to 2010 While Playing Out The String

The wonder of sports is that hope forever springs eternal.  There's always next year.  We're not quite there yet, but rather than talk about Virginia's matchup with 6-3 BC, or how few people will attend the Hoos' likely bowl-busting game, I'm already looking towards 2010, and the players that will be in place then.  Something (and some names) to keep an eye on if you have any stomach left to watch the 2009 version of the Hoos.   

Running Backs: Despite the departure of bruiser Rashawn Jackson, Virginia is well-stocked in the backfield for next season.  Mikell Simpson returns for one more season, and Dominique Wallace should be back to full health, hopefully with four more years of eligibility to burn.  Torrey Mack, of which more was probably expected this season, also returns with three years of eligibility remaining.

Wide Receivers: What Virginia lacks in obvious quality, they make up for in quantity here.  Kris Burd, Jared Green, Javaris Brown, and Tim Smith all return next season.  Look for one or two of them to finally distinguish themselves from the pack towards the end of this season.  TEs Joe Torchia and Colter Phillips will also be back for whatever coach (and new system) is employed.

O-line: Will Barker graduates.  That's it.  With four starters returning, the Hoos should be solid up front.  We just hope they work on their pass protection skills during the offseason.

QB: The pink elephant in the room.  Despite having enough pieces everywhere else on offense for next season, both Jameel Sewell and Vic Hall are out of eligibility.  That leaves would-be senior Marc Verica and now-redshirt freshman Riko Smalls as one-two on the depth chart.  I'm sure I'm not the only one who shuddered as I read that.

D-Line: Like the o-line, the defense loses one of its most valuable pieces in Nate Collins.  But starters Matt Conrath and Nick Jenkins return, along with Zane Parr and true freshman Will Hill ready to step in for Collins.  Should again be a position of strength for the Hoos.

Linebackers: The Hoos will lose three seniors, two of them starters.  But arguably the two most important pieces, Steve Greer and Cam Johnson, return.  Greer, like his predecessor Jon Copper, may need a caddy on passing downs, but he's the backbone of the Hoos' defense.  Johnson should continue to blossom into a pass rusher good enough to play on Sundays.  However, beyond those two standouts, its unclear among the three freshman listed on the depth chart (Schautz, McCartin, and Windle) who will fill out the starting lineup. 

Secondary: Other than QB, this is the position that will take the biggest beating headed into 2010.  CB Chris Cook and S Brandon Woods graduate, along with sometimes CB Vic Hall, and its entirely possible Jr. CB Ras-I Dowling decides he's had enough and enters the draft a year early.  There's some depth here -- Chase Minnifield should reenter the mix at CB he was in before Cook was reinstated, and Corey Moseley should be able to step in nicely for Woods.  But its hard to imagine the biggest strength of this team won't take a step back in 2010.
 
So there you have it.  There are probably less question marks headed into 2010 than there were headed into this season, but the Hoos will have a big question mark at the most important position on the field.  We wouldn't expect Groh to start playing for 2010, whether his job were on the line or not, but since he's playing everyone anyway, eligibility be damned, we might as well keep an eye out for what we have in 2010.  Enjoy the game (if you can).