Parks Commits

One week after attending a junior day at the University of Virginia, West Rowan (Mount Ulla, N.C.) running back Kevin Parks has decided to commit to the Cavaliers. The 5-7, 190-pound prospect left Charlottesville impressed while leaning toward a commitment. After visiting Clemson, East Carolina, and N.C. State this past weekend, he contacted the Virginia coaches today with a verbal commitment.

West Rowan head coach Scott Young confirmed Parks' decision.

Parks has started for his high school team since his freshman year and has improved every season. As a freshman in 2006, he rushed for 1,721 yards and 23 touchdowns and followed that up with a 2,536-yard, 33-touchdown sophomore season. As a junior last season, he rushed for 2,864 yards and 43 touchdowns, helping West Rowan to a Class 3-A State Championship while earning first-team all-state honors.

Virginia running backs coach Wayne Lineburg is Parks' primary recruiter.

This Week In Recruiting
By Chris Horne

Virginia football will host another junior day this Saturday - two weeks exactly after the first one took place - and we'll work to compile a list of expected visitors before the weekend, but in the meantime we'll profile several prospects who visited on Feb. 14.

Central York (York, PA) head coach Brad Livingston calls 6-5, 250-pound junior Kyle Baublitz "the most athletic big man who has played for me." That is a significant statement from Livingston, who just completed his 27th year as Central York's head football coach.

An all-state linebacker in 2008, Baublitz likely projects more as a tight end or defensive end on the next level, though outside linebacker could be an option at Virginia. A two-sport standout at Central York, Baublitz plays on the boys' varsity volleyball squad in addition to football.

Virginia is one of nine official offers for Baublitz, who is drawing interest from programs all across the country.

King & Low-Heywood (CT) running back Silas Redd also visited Virginia on the 14th and enjoyed the experience. Penn State may be tough to beat ultimately for the 5-11, 190-pound running back, but at this time a decision is not expected to come until after all five official visits are taken.

Redd has camped at Virginia for two years, so the 14th was not his first experience in Charlottesville. He discusses the experience and his plans for the recruiting process, among other things.

As reported above, West Rowan (Mount Ulla, N.C.) running back Kevin Parks committed to the UVa program today.

On the basketball front, stay tuned for the latest on Virginia signee Tristan Spurlock. Spurlock, who plans to be in attendance for UVa's home contest against Wake Forest this weekend, updates the latest on his senior season at Word of Life in Springfield, Virginia. The 6-8, 220-pound wing forward is averaging about 24 points and 10 boards per contest this season, having led Word of Life to a 19-6 record.

Spurlock and Bethel (Hampton, VA) point guard Jontel Evans are currently the only two members of Virginia's 2009 class. Former big-time target Renardo Sidney, a 5-star prospect out of Los Angeles, California, committed to Southern Cal on Sunday, so if the Cavaliers are going to add to its current 2009 haul it will have to look in another direction.

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 ...

An Early Look at Virginia's 2010 Class
The state of Virginia's 2009 class was talented and deep with over sixty prospects accepting Division 1A football scholarships. It'll probably be tough for the 2010 class to duplicate that amount of Division 1A recruits, but there is no question there is talent in the class. There certainly are big-time talents at skill positions, but, early on, the offensive and defensive lines appear to be the deepest positions.

NC Jr. High on the Hoos
Greenfield School (Wilson, N.C.) guard Brian Richardson continues to be a high target for the University of Virginia coaching staff, and the interest has been reciprocated. The 6-5, 155-pound junior has visited Charlottesville several times, most recently attending Virginia's home contest against Florida State.

More recent recruiting updates on The Sabre ...

• Parks Enjoys Visit, Considers Decision
• Woodberry Forest LB/DE Holds Five Offers
• Deep Run Junior Boasts Early Offers
• Davis Takes in UVa Junior Day
• Green Run's 2010 Class

Cavalier Travels Join U.Va. basketball legend Barry Parkhill for an alumni and friends golf outing in Ireland August 14-22, 2009. This trip features five of the best golf courses Ireland has to offer: Lahinch and Doonbeg in County Clare, Tralee on the Dingle peninsula in County Kerry and the Kilkenny and Mount Juliet courses in County Kilkenny. A rich cultural program is offered for non-golfing spouses or companions.

Cavalier Travels is the University of Virginia's travel program for alumni, parents and friends. We offer the high standards of quality and value that you expect from the University.

Join us! 866-765-2646

UVa Bookstores' 2009 Virginia Lacrosse 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. Each week the Bookstore picks a new winner, so bookmark the entry page and go back weekly to give it a try. Results will be posted by Noon the Monday following the game (excluding holidays).

Please note that we will not be playing the mid-week games this season. Also please select whether to have a weekly message sent, informing you of each week's results. Just check the 'Do not wish to be on mailing list' button if you choose not to receive our weekly message. Have fun, and cheer those Cavaliers to victory.

Click Here To Enter!

Blog Banter: Latest changes and non-changes, now official

By Rob Mahini, The Good Ol' Blog

It's all official. The Daily Progress first reported the news that Ron Prince is on board, though only to head up special teams ...

Virginia will officially announce the hiring of former Kansas State head coach Ron Prince as the Cavaliers new special teams coordinator this afternoon, but that will be his lone title within the program….

Speculation that Prince would also be named associate head coach for the Cavaliers is incorrect. He will focus all his energies on raising the profile of all UVa special teams.

Virginia coach Al Groh pointed out that during Prince's years at Kansas State, that the Wildcats led the nation in punt returns one season, led the country in kick returns another season, and led the nation in blocked kicks last season.

"We definitely need an upgrade there on special teams," Groh said Friday. "Bringing Ron back is exciting. He has head coaching experience and he has UVa experience. He will be a great sounding board for me. We made it a practice to speak weekly with one another over the past three seasons, about football and about our respective teams."

Groh is the DC ... and the Romeo rumors were, as I thought, nonsense. ...

I'm very surprised that Prince is coming back at lower position from his previous role as offensive coordinator. ... Read the full blog post here!

Got some thoughts on the current state of affairs? Write me at [email protected].

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Around the World of Wahoo Sports ...

• Seniors Lead No. 21 Virginia Over Boston College, 90-70: No. 21 Virginia women's basketball defeated Boston College on Senior Night, 90-70, Sunday at John Paul Jones Arena. The Cavaliers were led by Lyndra Littles and Monica Wright with 27 points apiece. It was Senior Night at JPJA, and seniors Littles, Kristen London, Britnee Millner and Aisha Mohammed were honored prior to tip-off. London finished with nine points, including three 3-pointers, while Mohammed contributed 10 points and six rebounds. Millner, meanwhile, finished with six points. Virginia finished the home portion of its schedule with an impressive 15-2 record.
• Six-Run First Propels UVa to Sunday Win, Series Sweep: The Virginia baseball team piled up six runs in the first inning, which was more than enough as the Cavaliers posted an 11-1 win over Bucknell Sunday afternoon at Davenport Field to sweep the four-game series. Virginia's pitching was stellar all weekend, allowing just two runs and 20 hits while recording a miniscule 0.25 ERA.
• Wrestling Loses at Maryland, 25-15: The Virginia wrestling team lost its regular-season finale to Maryland Sunday, 25-15, in College Park, Md. The Cavaliers won four weight classes, highlighted by a Rocco Caponi pin of Chris Lloyd at 184 pounds. Caponi needed just 1:01 to finish off Lloyd.
• UVa Romps Sacred Heart, 12-4: The Virginia softball team (9-5) defeated Sacred Heart 12-4 in six innings Sunday to finish play at the Gamecock Invitational with a 3-1 record. Nicole Koren, a redshirt sophomore, went 4-for-4 at the plate to lead the Cavaliers.
• Virginia Wins Second Consecutive ACC Title: The Virginia women's swimming and diving team won its second consecutive and seventh overall Atlantic Coast Conference Championship Saturday in College Park, Md. The Cavaliers finished with 848 points, marking the second straight year the team scored 800 or more points. Junior Mei Christensen was tabbed the meet's most valuable swimmer after winning both the 100 and 200 backstroke events and being a member of four championship relays.
• Billings' School Record Sends Virginia Past Stony Brook 20-10: Attackman Garrett Billings tied a school record with eight goals to lead Virginia to a 20-10 win over Stony Brook before 2861 fans at LaValle Stadium for the Cavaliers' third win to start the season. Billings tied the record set by Butch McCleary vs. Navy in 1958 and Doug Knight against Syracuse in 1996. Billings added three assists for a career-high 11 points, tied for third in school history. Billings also became the 11th player in school history to score 100 career goals; he now has 101.
• Cavaliers Dominate Loyola: The No. 4 Virginia women's lacrosse team continued its offensive dominance Saturday afternoon, defeating Loyola College, 19-8. Senior All-Americans Ashley McCulloch and Blair Weymouth led the way again. McCulloch tallied five goals and three assists, while Weymouth had four goals and two assists. Junior Kaitlin Duff had three goals and two assists, while winning a career-high six draw controls, and freshman Julie Gardner contributed three goals.
• Men's Tennis Sweeps Boise State and Boston College: The No. 1 Virginia men's tennis team remained undefeated on the season (14-0) with a pair of wins Saturday at the Boyd Tinsley Courts at the Boar's Head Sports Club. The Cavaliers topped No. 29 Boise State 5-2 in the afternoon and Boston College 7-0 in the nightcap.
• Women's Tennis Tops Marshall and Richmond: The No. 29 Virginia women's tennis team swept a pair of matches Saturday at the Boyd Tinsley Courts at the Boar's Head Sports Club. The Cavaliers scored a 5-2 victory over No. 54 Marshall in the morning and followed that with a 7-0 win over No. 75 Richmond in the afternoon.

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

Nike Hash Mark Sabre Nikefit Pant
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The Nike Hash Mark Sabre NikeFIT Pant features the V-Sabre embroidered on the right hip with the Nike Swoosh on the left and Virginia on the lower left leg. This pant has an inside drawcord and side-seam pockets.

Issue No. 335 - March 31, 2008

Groh Not Surprised By Albert's Rise

When Virginia junior Branden Albert declared for the NFL Draft in January, it wasn't too surprising. After all, at 6-7, 315 pounds, he had the physical build to be ready for professional football. He displayed the ability to pass block and get out in space as a pulling guard as a Cavalier. Plus, Albert had already shown the ability to handle both the guard and tackle position during the season.

In the weeks since the announcement, Albert's decision certainly has looked like a good one. He is now projected as a likely first round pick by most draft pundits. That's not too surprising to at least one person: UVa coach Al Groh.

"There are some underclassmen that everybody all can see it coming, that this player is probably not going to be back for his fourth year so there's a buzz around that player from the start. There are other players that make that decision at the end of their season so as a result, if we want to use this phrase, the establishment of their stock value is really starting from scratch at that point so it's going to rise. That was the case with Branden," Groh said Monday. "As teams do more study of him and become more aware of him, either through study of his tape or personally working him out or watching his workouts, his skills clearly show and the upside he has as a player is becoming very evident to teams. As a result, yes there seems to be increasing interest in him."

In an EDGE article from Jed Williams last week, Todd McShay of ESPN & Scouts Inc. says Albert "could be the top interior offensive lineman selected in 2008 draft" while Eric Edholm, Pro Football Weekly Senior Editor, says he "could see him going as high as 15, but definitely first round."

Kris Wright
Editor
TheSabre.com

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 soon:

• Home Again: The Sabre covers the men's basketball home games against Miami and Wake Forest.
• Junior Day: Chris Horne catches up with some football recruits that attended a junior day event this weekend.
• Jed Williams: Jed Williams caught up with a popular former Cavalier coach for a "catching up" article.

In Case You Missed It ...

Sabre articles since the last SabreMail

N.C. State Holds Off Virginia
Thanks to sluggish starts to both halves in Raleigh, the Virginia men's basketball team's quest to win three games in seven days fell short against N.C. State on Saturday. The Wolfpack opened each half with big runs to build double digit leads and the Cavaliers could not complete comeback attempts as they dropped the game 72-67. UVa's record stands at 9-14 and 3-9 in the ACC.

Hoos Making Strides
It took until mid-February, but Virginia finally looks like a basketball team. At least for a few days. The Cavaliers picked up their second straight ACC win Wednesday night by knocking off Virginia Tech 75-61 at the John Paul Jones Arena. So what do I mean by a "basketball team" you may be thinking? Better ball movement, more consistent defensive rotations, and more balanced contributions across the roster.

How Sweet It Is
I am a sports journalist. I am a UVa student. But above all, I am a Wahoo. Sometimes, it's not easy to be all three. Tonight, in particular, I found myself torn. At the end of the night, however, I couldn't help but notice there was an extra spring in my step.

Cavaliers Claim Win Against VT
This kind of streak feels a lot better. After snapping an eight-game losing skid on Sunday, the Virginia men's basketball won its second straight ACC game Wednesday night by topping Virginia Tech 75-61 in front of an enthusiastic 11,174 fans at the John Paul Jones Arena. It's the first time this season UVa has won back-to-back league games and the 14-point margin of victory represents the fourth largest winning spread of the season by the team.

Can UVa Repeat Clemson Performance?
Something strange happened at the John Paul Jones Arena this weekend. A basketball team showed up. Sustained energy and concentration, a balanced attack on both ends, good ball movement, and consistent defensive rotations. No, the better team wasn't top 20 Clemson. It was Virginia. But was it a fluke?

Photo Gallery: Virginia 85, Clemson 81
The Virginia men's basketball team had a very good day on Sunday. The Cavaliers snapped an eight-game skid by defeating Clemson 85-81 in overtime and five players - Sylven Landesberg and Mike Scott included - scored in double figures. The program also retired the number of Sean Singletary at halftime, making it a great day for any Hoo. Take a look back at the afternoon with this photo gallery.

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