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Kris Wright
Editor
TheSabre.com

This Week In Recruiting
By Chris Horne

Basketball recruiting ...

This Thursday, Holy Cross (Flushing, N.Y.) guard Sylven Landesberg will announce his college decision at a 3 p.m. press conference. The 6-5, 190-pound senior will commit to one of three finalists - Georgia Tech, St. John's, or the University of Virginia.

Landesberg made a 5-day unofficial visit to UVa in late August/early September. He followed that up with official visits to St. John's (September 8th) and Georgia Tech (September 15th). Prior to these visits, sources indicated to TheSabre.com that Georgia Tech and Virginia were the likely favorites. Virginia certainly could pull this one out, but stay tuned to Thursday to find out for sure.

One of the top backcourt players in the country, Landesberg averaged 27 points, 12 rebounds and six assists per game last season as a junior. Rated a 4-star recruit by Rivals.com and Scout.com, Landesberg is rated the #55 overall recruit in the nation by Rivals and the #39 overall recruit in the country by Scout.

The news isn't so encouraging with 4-star center John Brandenburg, but Virginia has not lost hope just yet. According to Brandenburg's father, Jim, John will make an official visit to Stanford this weekend before making a commitment to the Cardinal or the Cavaliers. The 6-11, 235-pound center previously made an unofficial visit to Stanford in August and an official visit to Virginia in September (the weekend of the 9th) and had hoped to have a decision by now.

Brandenburg seems deadlocked on his decision. While it is not great news for Virginia that he is making an official to Stanford, do not discount the Cavaliers just yet. We will check back with John following this weekend's visit for more on the situation.

Virginia hosted two talented 2008 class prospects this past weekend. St. George (Memphis, TN) 5-star guard Elliot Williams and The Hun School (Princeton, N.J.) 4-star forward Lance Goulbourne each made their official visits to UVa.

I was able to speak with Goulbourne yesterday. The 6-7, 215-pound prospect rated his experience an "8" out of 10, but check out the full update on the EDGE later today. Goulbourne, who made an official visit to Marquette the previous weekend, has an official visit scheduled with Vanderbilt for this coming weekend. He may make a fourth official but nothing has been set.

Stay tuned for more on Williams later on in the week. Virginia is the second official visit destination for Williams, who visited Duke earlier this month. He plans to visit Tennessee (October 6th) and Memphis (October 13th) before making a commitment to one of the four schools.

Football recruiting ...

The men's basketball program wasn't the only program hosting important official visitors. The football program hosted two senior targets in 5-9, 185-pound running back Darius Ashley and 6-5, 240-pound defensive end Ugo Uzodinma.

Uzodinma had a terrific experience in Charlottesville, rating the trip a "10" on a scale of 1-10. The Dunbar (Washington, D.C.) star plans to make more official visits before making a commitment (including a trip to Illinois this coming weekend), but Virginia, which is currently the only school to extend an official offer, seems to be in good shape right now. Pittsburgh and Syracuse are among the other programs involved with the talented lineman.

Ashley's official visit went well according to St. Xavier (Cincinnati, OH) head coach Steve Specht, but his return home had some complications. The 3-star back had to stay in Charlottesville one more night and is expected to arrive home this morning. We will check back with the talented senior later this week for more on his visit and to learn when a decision may come. Right now, Louisville and Virginia are the top two teams and a decision could come soon.

Game ball ...

This week's game ball - a weekly honor that goes to the Virginia commit that turned in the best performance in last week's high school football games - goes to 4-star running back Torrey Mack. The 6-0, 190-pound Stratford (CT) star rushed for 157 yards on just eight carries, scoring three touchdowns in helping his team defeat Brookfield 43-13. Mack's three touchdown runs were of 51 yards, 39 yards, and 55 yards, respectively.

Mack rushed for 227 yards and three touchdowns in Stratford's season-opening win over Barlow the previous week. In that game, Mack scored on runs of 18, 30, and 58 yards, respectively.

Chris Horne, our resident recruiting expert, provides updates throughout the week for Edge subscribers about UVa's commitments and recruiting targets in football and men's basketball. To sign up for an Edge subscription, please check out the Sabre Edge Sign Up and Information Page. If you're already on board as an Edge subscriber, click the links below to catch up on recruiting.

Sabre Edge recruiting updates from the past week ...

Weekend Visitor: 5-Star G Elliot Williams
St. George Academy (Memphis, TN) guard Elliot Williams will be in Charlottesville later today to begin his official visit to the University of Virginia, St. George Academy head coach Jeff Ruffin said. This visit is certainly important for the University of Virginia, which is a finalist for the 6-4, 175-pound prospect along with Duke, Memphis and Tennessee.

4-Star WR Talks Visits
Christchurch (VA) star wide receiver Deion Walker made his first official visit earlier this month and has another planned for the first weekend in October. The 6-3, 180-pound senior knows another official visit destination as well and is considering a handful of programs for the final two spots.

4-Star Safety Still Interested in Cavs
In addition to resuming his role as a stud safety on defense, Okechuckwu Okoroha also plays tight end and is on special teams in his final season at Eleanor Roosevelt (Greenbelt, MD). The 6-0, 192-pound senior went through an adjustment period with his expanded role but, with some advice from UVa primary recruiter Mike London, is coming around nicely.

Other updates since the last SabreMail ...

• Brandenburg Sets One Final Visit
• Weekend Visitor: 4-Star F Lance Goulbourne
• Weekend Visitor: 3-Star RB Darius Ashley

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The Sabre's Game Week Coverage

Helmet logos courtesy of The Helmet Project

Diehard football fans know that preparing for the game starts a long time before Saturday. That's where the Sabre has you covered! Our game info pages are stocked with all the information you need for the Hoos' next game. That means you can get the essentials (time, place, TV, postgame stats, weather forecasts, preview articles, depth charts, roster cards, etc.) in one convenient location.

The links to each game are available through our schedule on the Football Info page (Click here for Football Info page.); all you have to do is click on the game of interest and the information is all on that game page! Check out the Pitt page now!

That doesn't even include the articles you get as part of our premium EDGE coverage. Each week, you'll receive features, columns, and analysis on the Hoos' next game. If you want to be "in the know" and impress your buddies at the next tailgate, the EDGE is the place to be. To sign up for an EDGE subscription, please check out the Sabre Edge Sign Up and Information Page.

UVa Bookstores' 2007 Virginia Football Pick 'Em

Pick 'em is simple. The first contestant who picks the winner and comes closest to predicting the final score wins. In case of ties, the earliest entry will be awarded the prize. Entries must be received by 12:00 a.m. EST game day. Entries received after 12:00 a.m. (midnight the night before the game) are ineligible. Limit one entry per person.

The prizes for the Pick ' em are awesome! The Virginia vs. Pittsburgh contest this week will reward a Under Armour T-shirt and Cap to first place and a 1-Year Cavalier Corner Magazine subscription to second place.

For the full information or to enter, click here!

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Around the World of Wahoo Sports ...

• No. 4 Cavaliers Down No. 24 William & Mary in Overtime: The fourth ranked Virginia women's soccer team posted its fourth consecutive win, topping No. 24 William & Mary 1-0 in double overtime Sunday at Klöckner Stadium. Julia Falk's golden goal in the 106th minute gave the Cavaliers the win, as they close out the non-conference portion of the schedule with a 6-1-1 record.
• Play Concludes at UVa Women's Invitational: The Virginia women's tennis team concluded play Sunday as the inaugural UVa Women's Fall Invitational wrapped up at the Snyder Tennis Center. The Cavaliers posted four singles wins and two doubles wins on the final day of play.
• UVa Finishes 8th at Wolf Run: The Virginia men's golf team opened the 2007-08 season by placing eighth at the 15-team Wolf Run Intercollegiate in Zionsville, Ind. The Cavaliers shot 300 Sunday. UVa was led by freshman Amory Davis, who was 14th overall in his first collegiate event with a 9-over 222.
• Field Hockey Drops Two: The Virginia field hockey team dropped a pair of contests, falling 2-1 to Boston College and 3-0 to Boston. Traci Ragukasscored the only goal of the weekend when she gave Virginia a 1-0 lead against BC.
• Men's Soccer Ties NC State 2-2: The No. 3 ranked Virginia men's soccer team opened ACC play Saturday with a 2-2 tie against N.C. State at Method Road Stadium. Chase Neinken and Yannick Reyering scored for the Cavaliers, who are now 5-1-1 this season.
• Baseball Downs Ontario Blue Jays, 9-1: The Virginia baseball team lifted the curtain on its 2007-08 season Friday night with a 9-1 exhibition win over the Ontario Blue Jays at Davenport Field. In the 16-inning contest, Virginia pitchers gave up just three hits. The new-look Cavaliers had the opportunity to get their 16 new players, including 14 freshmen, into a game action setting. Freshman Tyler Biddix had four hits and four RBI, while Jarrett Parker added three hits to lead the 18-hit attack.

For more Hoo news or to read full releases, check out Virginiasports.com.

TIKI: My Life In The Game And Beyond
List Price: $25.00, On Sale: $22.50

"TIKI: My Life In The Game And Beyond" is the latest book from Cavalier Tiki Barber. Barber takes you into the locker room, past the sidelines, and onto the field to give you the view from inside the huddle. This book is also an inspirational look at his arduous evolution from ordinary player to elite -- on the field and off -- and at the amazing people along the way who have helped him achieve his goals. Tiki takes on the role of both the interviewer and the interviewee in special "Tiki Interviews Tiki" sections, as he asks and answers the really tough questions. "TIKI: My Life In The Game And Beyond" is a riveting, inspiring read for all who want to know what really goes on behind the scenes, and for anyone looking for the strength to step up and follow his or her dreams.

Issue No. 16 - December 20, 2001

D'Brickshaw Ferguson Commits to UVa

D'Brickashaw Ferguson, a 6-5, 250-pound athlete, is New York's top offensive linemen. He committed to the Cavaliers this past weekend.

"I think UVa's an excellent academic institution," Ferguson said. "Also, I was very impressed with the coaching staff. I was impressed that I was able to have a relationship with these guys. I was impressed with the plan that they had for me. I just think it was a great fit for me personally.

"I also thought of Virginia as a good University. At the point that I really knew that this was the place for me was probably a few days after my Michigan State visit. I say that because, after I saw what was out there, I was able to make a better decision. I knew that I liked the University, but I wasn't sure whether this was the best possible choice for me. Once I saw what other places had to offer, I realized that those places just didn't compare."

Ferguson's older brother is a fourth year at UVa, and that may have had a little influence on his decision to attend Thomas Jefferson's University.

"It was real nice situation, because I had somebody who was there for the four years to tell me how life at Virginia was."

Ferguson said that he had been to UVa on several occasions to visit his brother. Did that give him enough information to make his decision?

"I want to say yes and no. Yes, I learned more about the University, but no, because I never really had an opportunity to see the football facilities until I was being recruited. That sort of gave me a new outlook."

UVa has several openings to fill on their offensive line do to graduation from four seniors who have all played since they were freshmen. Ferguson will likely get a chance to play early.

"I'd love the opportunity to play as a freshman, but we just have to see how the system goes. I'm going to come in there and try my best and see what happens."

Coming Soon

The Sabre has you covered when it comes to Hoo news. Here are a few of the articles to expect on the site in the coming days:

• Game Week Previews The Sabre has adjusted its game week coverage to fit a more streamlined format while also adding content. Stay tuned each week to get ready for the upcoming opponent.
• Pittsburgh Panthers The Sabre breaks down Pittsburgh's special teams, offense, and defense.
• Looking Back at GT Each week, the Sabre breaks down the previous week's contest. Stay tuned for JHoo's 10 Things I Learned Against GT, Greg's Game Grades, a Sabre Roundtable, and more.

In Case You Missed It ...

Sabre articles since the last SabreMail

Inside The Game: Georgia Tech
During Saturday's game against Georgia Tech, a muffed Yellow Jacket punt return led to a fumble and Virginia recovered the football. On the next play, the Hoos scored the go-ahead touchdown that led to the eventual 28-23 win. Aaron Clark and Trey Womack played a key role on the play by delivering a hit and falling on the ball, respectively. How did it all unfold?

Cavs Swat Yellow Jackets
The Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets hadn't turned the ball over since the fourth quarter of the Gator Bowl on January 1. They also hadn't won in Charlottesville since 1990. One of those streaks ended Saturday in Scott Stadium and that helped extend the other as Virginia capitalized with 14 points off of turnovers to drop Georgia Tech, 28-23. The closely contested win improved UVa to 3-0 in the ACC's Coastal Division with victories against Duke, North Carolina, and Georgia Tech in consecutive weeks.

UVa Vs. GT Scouting Report: Special Teams
When Virginia coach Al Groh talked about Georgia Tech earlier this week, he quickly used "unique" as one word to describe the team. While that description applies to many aspects of GT's club, it is the perfect adjective for the Yellow Jackets' special teams. After all, UVa fans won't see another punt formation like the one headed to Charlottesville this weekend.

Wes' Ways To Win - Georgia Tech
Virginia is looking for its third straight win - all in the ACC's Coastal Division - this week when Georgia Tech comes to town. The Cavaliers had won three consecutive games in this series before last season's loss and the Yellow Jackets haven't won in Charlottesville since 1990. What do the Hoos need to do to keep the streak alive?

Best Seat In The House: GT's Chan Gailey
Georgia Tech will try to get its ACC season on track this weekend after dropping a game to Boston College in disappointing fashion last week. GT coach Chan Gailey joined Jay James on The Best Seat in th House to talk about the BC loss, the Virginia match-up, Tashard Choice, and more.

UVa Vs. Georgia Tech Scouting Report: GT Offense
Patrick Nix is gone to lead the Miami Hurricane offense, Reggie Ball has departed to wherever lifetime inconsistent quarterbacks go, and Calvin Johnson has taken his magical hands and vertical leap (as well as the ACC record book) to the NFL. But the Yellow Jacket offense still has good skill people and a veteran offensive line. What do the visitors have in store for the Cavaliers?

The Hawk's Nest - Beating Bump And Run
Last week we talked about receivers beating man-to-man coverage. Now that you have the basic knowledge and potential to make big plays, there is only one thing left for the defense to do when it comes to playing man to man. Play bump-and-run coverage. Bump and run is when the cornerback will move up to the line of scrimmage in order to jam the wide receiver. So how does a receiver beat it?

UVa Vs. Georgia Tech Scouting Report: GT Defense
Virginia faces a tough test this week as Georgia Tech rolls into Charlottesville. If you like blitzing, then this is the game for you because GT defensive coordinator Jon Tenuta brings it from inside and outside, safeties and corners, from all angles, and from all areas of the field. The result is usually a bewildered offensive line and a dazed and inaccurate signal-caller. What do the Cavaliers need to do to deal with the Yellow Jackets?

Tuesday Press Conference Notes - Georgia Tech
Chris Gould's overturned field goal is still a topic of conversation in many circles - but not at Virginia. UVa has moved on and is gearing up for its third straight ACC contest this week as Georgia Tech comes to town on Saturday. One question to consider: Can Chris Long keep it going against the Yellow Jackets?

Sabre Roundtable - What To Take From UNC
Two in a row. Following the Wyoming debacle, Virginia has gotten back on track with back-to-back wins against Duke and North Carolina. The latter came on the road, making that victory even more impressive. How did the Hoos pull it off in Chapel Hill? The Sabre's Mike Ingalls, WCAV's J.W. Stehle and Dave Strumpf, The Daily Press' Melinda Waldrop, and Sabre fan Beetle split the uprights five times in this Sabre Roundtable.

Greg's Game Grades '07: UNC
Virginia's 22-20 win over UNC on Saturday displayed some encouraging improvements as well as some continued concerns. On both sides of the ball, the run game and run defense performed well. Causes for concern? Fumbles, penalties, pass defense, and red zone offense. Let's see how the grades shake out after the Carolina contest.

10 Things I Learned Vs. UNC
For the sake of the 2007 season, UVa had to beat UNC this weekend. Had to. By two points. By 12 points. By 20 points. Didn't matter ... just had to win. And win, the team did. It was not the prettiest of wins, but it was a win nonetheless. The victory taught us that this year's Cavs can win on the road. What else did we learn?

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