Virginia QB to transfer
From The Daily Progress.
Among all the pressing questions surrounding what Virginia’s football program will look like in 2010, the most common surrounds the quarterback position. One more potential option was erased from that equation Monday — through a released statement, UVa announced that sophomore quarterback Riko Smalls would transfer to another program following the current semester.
It was not a major surprise as Smalls, a native of Plano, Texas, had not been practicing with the Cavaliers during the spring practice period.
“Riko and I have decided that it is in his best interests to seek an opportunity that will allow him greater success in college,” Virginia coach Mike London said.
Smalls did not get on the field for the Cavaliers in 2009, although he was moved to wide receiver early in training camp, and was redshirted in 2008 by former coach Al Groh.
After Marc Verica suffered a concussion at Miami on Nov. 7, however, Smalls was switched back to quarterback and was listed second on the depth chart behind former starting signal-caller Jameel Sewell.
Smalls picked Virginia over Wake Forest after being told that he would have a chance to play quarterback. The Demon Deacons’ coaches were interested in slotting Smalls in the secondary.
Sewell said he thought that Smalls could still be productive at quarterback in a new system. “Riko is definitely a pure athlete. The reason that he will be successful is because he has something that a lot of guys don’t have and need to work on and that’s the extra work that comes with football,” Sewell said. “After every practice, he would still be out there for another hour throwing balls and working on his footwork. Just seeing that and seeing his drive, you can tell that he is working.
“I really think he will be successful as long as he keeps his head on straight and stays positive. There shouldn’t be anything that stops that kid.”
Smalls’ expected departure leaves Verica, a rising senior, as the clear favorite to start at quarterback in the season opener at home against Richmond, but competition for the nod could eventually emerge from redshirt freshman Ross Metheny, true freshman Michael Strauss or sophomore Quintin Hunter, who was a star at Orange County High School, or from the incoming class of recruits.
As was the case with Smalls, Hunter was moved by Groh to wide receiver last year in training camp and essentially wasted a year of eligibility — he caught one pass for 13 yards in nine appearances.
For now, London has allowed Hunter to return to quarterback.
“He’s looking OK,” London said. “All these guys have room to improve. The system Quintin has been used to — spread, read, run — we’re asking him to throw the ball to spots and read coverage.
“So there’s a little bit of an adjustment he has to make.”
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