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Devin Smith, a 6-6 guard-forward from Coffeyville Community College in Kansas, committed to Virginia last night. Smith, a NJCAA All-American, had narrowed his choices to Kansas, Iowa and Virginia.

Smith visited Kansas two weekends ago, and made visits to Iowa and Virginia last weekend. Rumors that Smith had committed to the Jayhawks surfaced on the Internet shortly after his visit to Kansas. Even with his visit to Charlottesville, many believed the smooth-shooting Smith would take his skills to Kansas.

"[Devin] was wide open the whole time," said Coffeyville assistant coach B.J. Hill.  "[He] really did a good job of giving each place a chance to demonstrate what they had to offer. [His choice of Virginia] was a combination of being in the ACC, close proximity to home, and Virginia's definite need for a small forward/wing player.  Virginia will have one of the top front lines in the country next season, coupled with the transfer point guard [Todd] Billet.  Virginia has a chance to be a great team and that meant a lot to Devin.  Kansas will be good as well, but they have too many guards returning."

Smith, the top player in the state of Delaware coming out of high school, is a versatile player who can help the Cavaliers in many ways.

"He will fit in nicely.  He will have many spot-up opportunities on the fast break and kick out opportunities in the half-court," Coach Hill said.  "When teams double down low, he will be able to spot up for the three.  He is a long player, which gives him the ability to defend many positions.  Big body player.  He is a great catch-and-shoot player.  He is the best pure shooter I have ever seen."

Smith will have the opportunity to play right away at Virginia, especially if rising senior guard Roger Mason elects to go to the NBA. With such a positive freshman JUCO experience, Smith should be able to step in and provide instant results, and has the potential to be one of the 'go-to' guys in orange and blue the next three years.

"In my opinion, Devin will become an All-ACC standout," said Hill. "He may not do it his first season, but he can be an All-ACC type of player.  He does need to improve in some areas like any other freshman, but he will be a good player for the Cavaliers."

Before heading to Coffeyville Community College in Kansas, Smith had fully qualified academically to play Division 1-A ball, but chose to join his brother in Kansas for a season. Even though he was the Delaware Player of the Year, and MVP of his State Tournament in 2001, he was overlooked by many top colleges.

There was no overlooking Smith after one year at the JUCO level though. Smith averaged over 18 points per game this past season and hit 85 of his 182 three-point attempts. He also hit 89 percent of his free throws. That sent a signal to several major universities, and Smith began to receive offers from Virginia, Kansas, Iowa, UNLV, Illinois and several more, including looks from several NBA scouts.

"Devin has handled the attention well," added assistant coach Matt McCarthy. "He hasn't changed at all. He's an excellent student and person. He's extremely level headed and is very low key, and that is the way he plays also. You never see him get riled up and you never see him act cocky."

Spring Festival draws many recruits

Ian Cunningham

The UVa football staff is on the move again. This time, they hosted more than 120 recruits at this past weekend's Spring Football Festival (formerly known as the spring game). Some of those were already signed recruits, like DT Robert Armstrong, LB Darryl Blackstock, DE Braden Campbell, P Tom Hagan, RB Michael Johnson, Jr., RB Wali Lundy, QB Anthony Martinez, DB Stefan Orange, LB Kai Parham, DT Kwakou Robinson, C Damian Spradlin and RB Jason Snelling.

Several uncommitted top recruits from around the nation were also in attendance. Here are just a few names of the players who were at Scott Stadium Saturday:

• Conrad Bolston, DT, 6-4, 260
  St John's Prep, Burtonsville, MD
  Colleges of Interest: Boston College, Maryland, Miami, Notre Dame, Penn State, Virginia, Virginia Tech

• Ian Cunningham, OT, 6-6, 300
  Hebron HS, Lewisville, TX
  Colleges of Interest: Texas A&M, Stanford, Texas, Virginia, Notre Dame, Penn State, Colorado, Nebraska

• Jermaine Dias, LB, 6-2, 215
  Hackensack HS, Hackensack, NJ
  Colleges of Interest: Boston College, Rutgers, Virginia, Wisconsin

• Chris Ellis, DE, 6-5, 230
  Bethel HS, Hampton, VA
  Colleges of Interest: Virginia Tech, Georgia, Maryland, Notre Dame, Syracuse, Virginia, East Carolina

• John Hedge, K, 5-11, 175
  Pulaski County HS, Pulaski, VA
  Colleges of Interest: Florida State, Maryland, Michigan, Virginia, Virginia Tech, Wake Forest

• Nick Larkin, DE, 6-5, 245
  St Xavier HS, Cincinnati, OH
  Colleges of Interest: Notre Dame, Boston College, Duke, Michigan, Ohio State, UCLA, Virginia, West Virginia

• Jon Stupar, TE, 6-5, 245
  State College HS, State College, PA
  Colleges of Interest: Florida State, Iowa, Michigan State, North Carolina, N.C. State, Ohio State, Virginia, West Virginia

NFL Draftees and signings

The NFL Draft concluded this past Sunday, and three former UVa football players were selected in the Draft. Tight End Chris Luzar was the first of the bunch, and was selected by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the 4th round as the 118th overall pick. Defensive tackle Monsanto Pope and running back Antwoine Womack were picked up in the 7th round, respectively, by the Denver Broncos (pick 231) and the New England Patriots (pick 237).

Punter Mike Abrams was picked up shortly thereafter by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as an un-drafted rookie free agent. Other Hoos picked up as un-drafted rookie free agents were linebacker John Duckett (Buffalo Bills), running back Tyree Foreman (San Diego Chargers), offensive lineman Jermese Jones (Pittsburgh Steelers), Darryl Sanders (San Francisco 49ers) and offensive lineman Evan Routzahn (Indianapolis Colts).

First Annual Cavalier Football Festival

Billy McMullen

Last Saturday, the Cavalier football team conducted their final spring practice in front of approximately 4,000 fans, players' families and recruits at Scott Stadium.

While the game wasn't a full-fledged scrimmage, scoring was conducted for offensive and defensive plays. The offense won the contest by a score of 76-70. Starting junior QB Matt Schaub was 7 of 16 for 89 yards passing with one interception and a touchdown. After gathering a high snap, Schaub threw a pass behind receiver Michael McGrew which was stolen by starting cornerback Art Thomas and prompty returned it 41 yards for a touchdown. For the most part, Schaub was on the mark. His touchdown came when he found receiver Ottowa Anderson down the left sideline for a 20-yard reception.

Backup red-shirt freshman quarterback Marques Hagans looked promising, going 8 of 15 for 49 yards passing. He threw for one touchdown and added an interception as well, this one to walkon defensive back Trey Moeller.

Defensively, defensive back Chris Williams, tackle Justin Walker and linebacker Melvin Massey led the Hoos with six tackles each. Linebackers Angelo Crowell and Raymond Mann, as well as safety Jerton Evans recorded five stops each.

The highlight for the team defensively seemed to be the play of Thomas, who, in addition to his interception for a score, broke up a beautiful pass to receiver Billy McMullen that would have resulted in another offensive score.

It was the first time the Cavaliers have had access to their home stadium for a spring game since 1998.

In 1999, the Hoos played the game at Albemarle High School. In 2000 and 2001, they played at Klockner Stadium, which is designed primarily for soccer and lacrosse. Last season, the Dave Matthews Band concert prevented the Hoos from using their home field. The two springs prior, the stadium was under renovation and closed to the public for safety reasons.

The Hoos' return to Scott Stadium was nothing short of a success. The rain held off until near the end of the event, although the remainder of the scrimmage was cancelled do to a threatening storm system in the area.

This year's spring game was more than just a football scrimmage. It was dubbed the Virginia Spring Football Festival and included a lot of additional treats for families and their children. Included in the activities were a live bluegrass band and several games and contests for fans.

For highlights of the spring game, please see our Spring Game Notes page.

Virginia lacrosse falls to Duke in ACC Championship

Top-ranked Virginia lost their first game in over a month and a half when they failed to dispose of Duke in the ACC Tournament Final last Sunday. Duke won the contest, 14-13, when Blue Devil Terrence Keaney scored the final goal with just 38 seconds to play. Freshman phenom John Christmas led the way for the Hoos with three goals and one assist.

Christmas, along with goalie Tillman Johnson, middie A.J. Shannon and attackman Joe Yevoli, were named to the ACC All-Tournament Team. Virginia also swept the ACC Men's Lacrosse Awards. Defenseman Mark Koontz was voted ACC Men's Lacrosse Player of the Year, while Joe Yevoli received Rookie of the Year honors, and Head Coach Dom Starsia was chosen as Coach of the Year.

The Cavaliers have fallen to 9-2 on the season, and have remaining regular season contests with Penn State on April 27th (1 p.m. at State College) and Butler on April 30th (3 p.m. at Klockner) before preparing for this year's NCAA Tournament, beginning May 11th.

Lacrosse's Christmas Candidate for Top Award
Official UVa Media Release

WASHINGTON, DC - University of Virginia lacrosse player John Christmas has been added as one of three "Players to Watch" for The Tewaaraton Trophy, the most cherished and prestigious award a varsity lacrosse player can receive and a symbol of excellence in college lacrosse. Joining Christmas on the list of additional candidates selected by the men's selection committee are Middlebury's Matt Dunn and Tim McGuinness from Gettysburg College.

Christmas is one of the top freshmen in the country this season. He was named to the All-ACC squad, the first rookie so honored since UVa's Michael Watson eight years ago. Christmas is currently tied for the ACC lead in scoring with 36 points (23g, 13a). He is second in the league in goals behind fellow freshman, teammate Joe Yevoli-the ACC's Rookie of the Year.

His 23 goals are fifth in school history by a freshman, while his 36 points are ninth.

Christmas was named national player of the week following his 4-goal, 3-assist performance over then #1 Johns Hopkins last month.

Cavalier attackman Conor Gill and defenseman Mark Koontz were on the initial list for the second annual Tewaaraton Trophy released in early March.

The Tewaaraton Trophy is presented annually to the top female and male varsity collegiate lacrosse players in the United States and is the lacrosse equivalent of the Heisman Trophy. Scholarship money is given to the winners' college or university general scholarship fund. The Foundation committee honors Native American heritage with the name "Tewaaraton," the name the Mohawk nation gave to their game and the progenitor of present-day lacrosse and has received approval from the Mohawk Council of Elders.

Need football instruction? Check out the 2002 Virginia Football Camp website. Day camps and overnight camps are available, as well as one-day-only camps. If you or someone you know is interested in participating in this year's camp, please refer to the following link for details.

The Virginia Football Camp

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