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Mike Farrell at Rivals.com is reporting this week that the Virginia football program is making great strides in landing two players who are considered tops at their positions in each of their respective states.

Chris Ellis, who is considered the top defensive lineman in Virginia, was leaning to Virginia Tech prior to this week. Why the change? Ellis just finished his summer camp at UVa and liked what he saw. According to Farrell, Ellis spent a lot of time with UVa defensive line coach Mike London. He's now torn between the two schools.

Ellis, 6-5, 230 (Bethel HS, Hampton), is fast for his size, reported running a 4.7 forty. Rivals.com lists him with 4 stars.

Jonathan Stupar, the top tight end in Pennsylvania and one of the best nationally, wasn't planning on camping anywhere this summer, but somehow the Coach Danny Rocco and the Cavaliers have convinced him otherwise. Stupar will be in Charlottesville this weekend attending Virginia's skill position camp.

Stupar, 6-5, 245 (State College) has over 20 offers from major Universities. He's a big tight end at 6-5, 245. Stupar is a good student as well, boasting a 3.5 GPA and recently scoring above 1,050 on his SAT.

The top schools on his list that have offered include Virginia, Arizona State, Maryland, UNC, N.C. State, Ohio State, Florida State and UCLA.

Catterton commits to Hoos

Robbie Catterton

Last week, Robbie Catterton III, a 6-3, 190-pound combo sport athlete from Kellam High School in Va. Beach, announced his decision to attend UVa on a football scholarship. The Virginia Beach native liked what he saw in Virginia during a junior recruiting visit and committed to the Hoos while on Grounds. Catterton will have the opportunity to play both baseball and football at UVa.

Catterton is very fast and has been timed at 4.4 at the Nike Camp and 4.39 at UVa's camp last summer. Catterton is known for his quickness and instincts on both the football and baseball fields, but his skills aren't limited to those two sports. Catterton also played goalie for his high school soccer team, so the term "all-around athlete" can definitely be used to describe this young man.

While only a few schools had offered Catterton before his commitment (Virginia, Wake Forest and Kent State), there were over 30 schools expressing strong interest, including Virginia Tech, Tennessee and Notre Dame.

Catterton is a hard hitter and will likely try out for safety when he arrives in July 2003. Catterton is also an exceptional baseball player. He chose Virginia primarily for academics, but the ability to play both baseball and football at UVa really sold him. Catterton will likely play outfield for the Cavalier baseball team.

Yesterday, TheSabre.com had the opportunity to speak with Robbie while he was in Charlottesville playing baseball at St Anne's Belfield. We also had the pleasure of speaking with Robert Catterton, Sr. as well as Robbie's high school head football coach Chris DeWitt. Here's what they had to say.

Comments from his father, Robert Catterton, Jr.

On the interest of other schools

"There were roughly 35 or so [schools] that had expressed interest before [his commitment to UVa]. It was amazing all of the mail that he got. They saw his Nike Camp performance and it started getting hot and heavy. After the one May period when [coaches] can call you on the telephone, he was getting six or seven calls a night. Carolina called twice one night. We were supposed to be at Tennessee on the 22nd, the day he committed to Virginia."

On playing both sports

"Both of us sat in Coach Groh's office and talked for over an hour, and that was a specific question that we asked, and he said that he would give him the opportunity to try out for the baseball team. "He'll probably play in the outfield. We've already talked to Coach [Dennis] Womack about that. I've spoken with Coach Womack several times. He was down for the tryouts for the Commonwealth and watched all of the players in the state. We talked a little bit - Robbie had been to his hitting camp in the winter, and as soon as they watched him run 6.5 [in the 60-yard dash], they said, 'We want you.' And, at the Commonwealth, he ran a 6.4, which was the fastest in the state."

On Robbie's assets as a football player

"He's really aggressive and very smart. He seems like he knows what's going to happen with a play before it happens. UVa Coach Bob Price mentioned that Robbie's really instinctive. He mentioned that when Robbie was at his camp last year at the end of his sophomore year. We were supposed to go to Ohio State's camp, but Coach Price came down to the combine and said he really wanted to see him at the camp."

On Robbie's toughness as a defensive back

"He likes to hit people. He plays outside linebacker in high school. Coach Groh took a serious look at him. When we sat in his office, he listed 16 things he liked from the tape he saw on Robbie."

Comments from Coach Chris Dewitt

"He's lightning fast. He has absolutely killed people on some plays the last few years. He's been playing with our varsity since the 9th grade. He's just done an outstanding job. I think the University of Virginia is lucky to have him. I know they like him. Coach Groh studies more and more film every time I talk to him. He's watched hours of film. He knows almost play for play [Robbie's] highlight film. [Coach Groh] must have really evaluated him for a long time.

"[UVa's] going to use him at safety, but he plays outside linebacker for us. We do give him some deep responsibilities. I think he's going to do great there. I think Virginia had an edge over a lot of people because Robbie went to their camp last year. They actually got to see him play safety. A lot of schools wanted him to come to camps to see what he does over the top, but UVa already did. Robbie liked UVa. It was a good fit. I'm glad that Robbie made his decision and I think he's as happy as he can be about it.

"[On the football field], he sees things well. His presence is unbelievable, and he really gives one heck of a blow when he gets to you. He's forced many turnovers. In the last few years, he's caused probably 15 turnovers. Last year alone, I know he had five or six interceptions. He can hit and he can play, and he's enough of a football player to play strong safety."

On Robbie's speed

"I'd say that Robbie is a 4.4 guy [in the forty]. I know he broke the Virginia Commonwealth 60-yard record at the baseball tryouts. Because he's so long and lean, the forty might not be his best. The only thing he hasn't done here is run track, and he could probably win some titles in the 100 and 200. His top end speed is unbelievable. Virginia Tech has Cedric Humes up there. One of the plays on the highlight film has Robbie walking down Cedric on a long run. And Cedric is a 4.4 guy. In football, we'll work with some of the players on their starts. But because of baseball, we haven't really been able to work with Robbie on the forty."

On Virginia's efforts with Robbie

"All of the other college coaches did a great job, but Virginia is knocking down the doors to get the kids that they want, and that makes the kids feel good. They made Robbie feel good, and he's liked Virginia since I've known him. Robbie went ahead and pulled the trigger early, and that's good for everybody."

Interview with Robbie Catterton

Why an early commitment to Virginia?

"I've always felt comfortable with Virginia. Coach Groh was the first person to send me a letter on September 1st. They Fed Ex'd a package saying that they wanted me. I went up there for three football games and two basketball games. And Coach Groh came into school on May 21st and officially offered me. They told me they had four senior safeties that were graduating this year, and will only have two on campus my freshmen year. I may have a chance to start or play early. The recruiting class that they got last year helped a lot, and I know they're only going to go up in their recruiting. The players that they're getting are going to be contending for the national championship."

What else helped you with your decision?

"The facilities are great and school is great. I know that, even if I don't make it to the NFL after Virginia, I'm going to be set with a job. It's close to home, although that wasn't much of a factor. I've been a UVa fan for a while."

What will be your curriculum?

"I've been thinking about two things, sports management or pre-law, but I'm undecided. I'll think more about it next year."

Who else was high on your list?

"Notre Dame has always been a dream school, but they haven't been getting the players that they used to get. Tennessee, Maryland, UNC, Ohio State, Michigan and Michigan State were up there."

How important was it to be able to play baseball in college?

"That helped out a lot [with my decision]. I've always wanted to play both sports in college, but football is going to come first and we'll see how the first fall goes. Coach Groh is giving me the opportunity to play, so I'm going to take advantage of that."

Who would you compare yourself to as a safety?

"I'd have to say John Lynch. I've always liked him and I think he's got a playing style that I mostly resemble."

What position do you play best?

"Safety is my stronger position. I can play both receiver and safety. Virginia Tech was recruiting me as an athlete, but they were thinking about me playing receiver. I think I'm a better fit at defense - that's where I belong."

People say you're a hard hitter. What's your most memorable hit?

"It was the Homecoming game of my sophomore year against Green Run. I was coming up on an option play to tackle running back Donte Newsome. I almost made him do a back flip and he fumbled the ball. That made me feel pretty good."

What's your greatest asset as a football player?

"My mentality. I feel that I know the game of football. I know where to be and when to be there. At safety, I can help the defense get set up."

What do you enjoy most about playing baseball?

Roger Mason, Jr. will not return to UVa

Virginia learned this week that rising senior guard Roger Mason, Jr. has elected to stick with his decision to go to the NBA and not return for his final year at UVa.

Mason was Virginia's top scoring threat from the perimeter during the 2001-02 season, averaging 19 points per game. Mason also led the team with four assists per game and shot a remarkable 88 percent from the free throw line. A natural two-guard, Mason was forced to play out of position at point guard for most of the season with the departure of Donald Hand to graduation and the injury to Majestic Mapp.

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