ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Tuesday, September 3, 1996 TAG: 9609040060
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B1 EDITION: METRO
COLUMN: UVA NOTES
DATELINE: CHARLOTTESVILLE
SOURCE: DOUG DOUGHTY STAFF WRITER
THE ROANOKER will have to weigh his college football future vs. the NFL during the next couple of years.
Whether it's defending against a pass or taking a stance on the NFL, Virginia cornerback Ronde Barber doesn't want to commit too early.
``Even though I will graduate in May - there's no way I won't graduate in May - I still have two years of college [eligibility],'' Barber said. ``Right now, they're both going to be taken.
``I feel like I've put myself in position over the last two years that, if I have a good year, I'll have the option to leave. But I'm not going to pressure myself with that kind of decision during the year. It's something that can haunt you.''
Barber, redshirted as a freshman, finished second in Division I-A in interceptions in 1994 and was named ACC Rookie of the Year. He has 12 interceptions in two seasons, good for fourth on UVa's all-time list.
``I think the word was, `Look what he's done so far. There's no way in hell he should stay,''' Barber said. ``I've talked to a lot of people, reporters and whoever, and while I don't want to say they're trying to corner me, I'm trying to be open-minded about it.
``I know Cory [Alexander] tried to make that decision early in the basketball season that year [1994-95] he got hurt, but it's not a decision you can make before you start the season, I don't think. It's a decision that's really pending on the way you play.''
The former Cave Spring High star has heard there is a procedure by which NFL scouts will tell him his approximate draft position before he makes up his mind.
``I don't know how that works,'' he said. ``It's something I'll look into at the end of the season, but right now I still have two years left at Virginia.''
SECONDARY SOLID: Virginia head coach George Welsh is sounding upbeat about his secondary, particularly with the return of Joe Rowe, who missed spring practice while on academic suspension.
Rowe, a fifth-year senior, has emerged as the likely starter at the corner opposite Barber. That gives the Cavaliers four defensive backs who have been in the program at least four years: Rowe, Barber, fifth-year senior Sam McKiver and fourth-year junior Joe Williams.
That experience could prove valuable with the departure of three starters, including first-team All-ACC choice Percy Ellsworth, who made the New York Giants as a free agent. Rowe never has started a game in his college career but has good speed and decent size (6-1, 175).
POINDEXTER BIGGER: Anthony Poindexter, considered undersized last year as a 6-1, 202-pound linebacker, came to camp at 220 pounds this year despite an impending move to the secondary.
``I'm in the best physical condition I've been in since I've been playing football,'' said Poindexter, who was hoping to be at 210 or 215 in time for the Cavaliers' opener Saturday against Central Michigan. ``I've worked out harder in the weight room than I ever have.
``I'm probably faster than I was, [but] I'm going to have to show people I can still play safety. I think a lot of people got comfortable seeing me at linebacker and will be looking at me to see if the coaches made a mistake moving me back.''
BEWARE THE CHIPPEWAS: Central Michigan, which lost its final four games last year and finished 4-7, had an impressive opener Saturday night when it defeated Division I-AA power Boise State 41-21 on the road. Chippewas quarterback Chad Darnell, one of 16 returning starters, passed for 313 yards and three touchdowns.
DUKE'S GAIN: Much of Duke's success in recruiting Virginia prospects this year can be traced to first-year assistant Joe DeLamielleure, who expressed interest in a position on the UVa staff following the 1994 season.
DeLamielleure was interviewed by UVa when offensive-line coach Jim Bollman went to Michigan State. However, the Cavaliers hired ex-Maryland head coach Joe Krivak to coach quarterbacks and offensive coordinator Tom O'Brien, who had coached quarterbacks, took over the line.
DeLamielleure, previously at Liberty, recruited all four Virginia prospects who have committed to Duke, including lineman John Miller from Bassett High and All-America tight end Nate Krill from McLean. DeLamielleure was a standout offensive lineman for the Buffalo Bills.
ODDS AND ENDS: Tight end James Lomax from Brookville High School in Lynchburg said he is leaning to UVa. Lomax (6-5, 250) was rated the No.27 prospect in Virginia by The Roanoke Times before the season. Maryland is the apparent leader for Bobby Sabelhaus, a former Parade All-America quarterback who has received a release from Florida. Sabelhaus said he would contact Virginia, but the Cavaliers had not heard from him as of Friday. Welsh said that 6-6, 274-pound offensive tackle Evan Hunt has undergone surgery for a torn rotator cuff in his shoulder and miss the season. Hunt, one of UVa's most celebrated signees in 1995, was redshirted as a freshman.
LENGTH: Medium: 91 linesby CNB