ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Tuesday, April 15, 1997 TAG: 9704150056
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-1 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: CHARLOTTESVILLE
SOURCE: DOUG DOUGHTY THE ROANOKE TIMES
Virginia never has had two football players drafted in the first round in the same year. James Farrior and Jamie Sharper could change that Saturday.
Somebody must have been listening last fall when Rick Lantz said James Farrior and Jamie Sharper were the best pair of linebackers he has coached.
Although they weren't always recognized in their own conference, Farrior and Sharper have not escaped the attention of NFL scouts.
On Saturday, they could become the first set of Virginia teammates selected in the first round of the NFL draft.
``There was nobody in the conference any better,'' said Lantz, a college assistant for more than 30 years and the Cavaliers' defensive coordinator since 1991. ``But, I'd say that and I'd get that look like, `They're your guys and you're just excited about 'em.'
``There was a feeling of, `Lantz is nuts. There he goes with his mouth again.'''
Farrior and Sharper are 2-3 behind Alabama's Dwayne Rudd in most ratings of draft-eligible outside linebackers, ``and, you know what?'' Lantz said. ``I'm not sure they aren't 1-2. Those [evaluations] were done before the individual workouts.''
There is no strong indication that Farrior or Sharper will go ahead of Rudd, but it appears unlikely that Farrior will be available past the middle of the first round. Arizona could take him with the ninth pick.
``He's a guy who can do everything, and we see that on film,'' said Cardinals coach Vince Tobin, who also is considering Virginia Tech quarterback Jim Druckenmiller. ``He really developed during his senior year.
``He was not that highly thought of going into his senior year. We liked him when we brought him in and talked to him. He can play the run, the pass, he can blitz. He will be drafted high.''
Farrior (6 feet 1 1/2, 233 pounds) and Sharper (6-2 1/2, 235) were helped by a change in defensive philosophy that had the Cavaliers playing more of an attacking style this past season.
Farrior, who had a combined 1 1/2 sacks in his first three seasons at Virginia, had eight sacks as a senior. Sharper had seven sacks this past season, including four in the Cavaliers' 20-17 victory over North Carolina.
Sharper received considerable playing time at middle linebacker in that game and started in the middle against Virginia Tech - an experience that has increased his value to the Washington Redskins and other NFL teams that play a 4-3 scheme. The Redskins may go for Sharper with the 17th pick.
Miami, with the 15th pick, is said to be a possible destination for Sharper and Farrior.
Dolphins head coach Jimmy Johnson is said to be enamored of Farrior's coverage ability. Farrior had seven career interceptions and 23 break-ups, but Sharper is not weak in that area. He had five interceptions and 18 break-ups.
Indeed, it was their similarities that may have kept Farrior and Sharper from receiving more honors. Farrior was a two-time, second-team All-ACC selection and Sharper made first-team All-ACC only as a senior.
``There's been a rivalry between us since he came on campus,'' said Sharper, who is from Henrico County, less than an hour from Farrior's home in Ettrick. ``He ran a better 40 [yard] time and, ever since, we've been trying to decide who's the faster linebacker.''
Most of the Miami staff was with Johnson when he visited Charlottesville to work out Farrior and Sharper in March. That included strength coach John Gamble, previously the Cavaliers' strength coach, who couldn't offer much insight.
``I don't really know what Jimmy is thinking,'' Sharper said. ``I don't think anybody in the NFL knows what he's thinking. He tries to make his wheelings and dealings [secret] and doesn't want anybody to get a step on him.''
Sharper has declined an invitation to go to New York and will watch the draft from his home, in the company of his younger brother, Darren. Darren Sharper, a defensive back and Division I-AA All-American at William and Mary, could go as early as the second round.
``Pottsy [Farrior] and I didn't talk much about ourselves,'' Sharper said. ``It's not our style and it's not Coach [George] Welsh's style. The possibility of being a millionaire is what I'm looking forward to. As long as I make it in that first round, I'll be the happiest guy on earth.''
LENGTH: Medium: 86 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: DON PETERSEN THE ROANOKE TIMES. 1. Jamie Sharper (33) isby CNBtrying to put the squeeze on his former Virginia linebacking
teammate, James Farrior, who is slotted to go a few spots ahead of
Sharper in this weekend's NFL draft. color. 2. James Farrior (42) is
an almost-certain NFL draft first-round pick.