2002 was a monster class for Virginia as three 5-star and seven 4-star players committed.  Early on the class had nine potential all-ACC players (Willie Davis would have been the tenth if not for injury).  With few redshirts and several early departures (NFL, suspensions, injuries), only Johnson, Snelling, and Hamilton remained for their fifth year.  Ultimately this class did not quite live up to its high expectations.

Five+: 1.  Four+: 4.  Three+: 4.  Two+: 2.  One+: 4.   Stars: 5.  Contributors: 10.  Total: 26.  Score: 41.

  • RB Tony Franklin -Bedford (OH) Chanel *** 5-11 175 4.4 -- Immensely talented, moved to CB.  Started late 2003, slightly disappointing 2004.  Good 2005 but was suspended for a couple of games.  Later suspended from the team, slim chance for an 06 return?  +++
  • RB Michael Johnson -Newport News (VA) Heritage ***** 5-10 180 4.3 -- Showed blazing speed as a true freshman, then redshirted due to the embarrasment of riches at RB.  Could have a breakout year once he wins the job outright.  Playing time decreased over the year in 04, he backed up Lundy in 05.  Hope to get his confidence back and grab the starting job in 06.  ++ (one year left)
  • RB Wali Lundy -Willingboro (NJ) Holy Cross **** 6-0 195 4.4 -- A bit of a surprising late commit.  Started as a true freshman.  An all around weapon, the only thing keeping him from a dominating season is having to share time with Pearman, Snelling, and Johnson.    Occasional injuries and Pearman's emergence led to a slightly underwhelming 04.  Clear cut starter in 05, but suffered several injuries and had a disappointing end to his career.  Still finished as the all time ACC rushing TD leader. ++++
  • FB Jason Snelling -Chesterfield (VA) L.C. Bird *** 6-1 215 4.47 -- Overshadowed due to committing the same day as 4-star Martinez.  Got everyone's attention in a hurry with a huge 31 catch true freshman season.  Redshirted for an undisclosed ailment in 2003 (migranes?).  Expectations were high for 04, injuries plagued him, 05 was better.  Powerful with good hands, impressive agility and quickness for his size, can dominate when he is healthy.  Potentially UVa's best fullback ever if he can stay on the field.   +++ (one year left)
  • OL Brad Butler -Lynchburg (VA) E.C. Glass ** 6-8 265 4.95 -- Played immediately.  Provided depth on a reemergent offensive line.  2004 and 2005 starter at tackle.  +++
  • OG Ron Darden -Glen Burnie (MD) *** 6-4 315 5.2 -- Competed for starting time as a redshirt sophomore.  Moved to the DL in 05.  Headaches ended his career early, though he had a nice end to it in the bowl game. +
  • OG D'Brickashaw Ferguson -Freeport (NY) *** 6-5 250 4.8 -- Started from day one as a 245 pound true freshman.  Great balance, strength, and agility.  Put on a lot of bulk before 2004 and continued to impress.  Could have declared for the NFL draft but came back for his senior year and could be a top five pick. +++++
  • DE Darryl Blackstock -Fork Union (VA) Fork Union Military **** 6-4 225 4.7 -- 10 sacks as a true freshman, outstanding linebacker, pro prospect.   Declared for the NFL as a junior and was drafted. ++++
  • DE Kai Parham -Virginia Beach (VA) Princess Anne ***** 6-4 230 4.55 -- Redshirted due to back problems, then started in 2003.  Outstanding size, strength, and speed combination.  Best defender on the team in 05 and declared for the draft.  ++++
  • LB Ahmad Brooks -Woodbridge (VA) C.D. Hylton ***** 6-3 230 4.62 -- Came in mid year and started as a true freshman in 2003.  An amazing athlete and prospect.  All ACC in 04.  Had injury and weight problems in 05 causing him to miss several games and underperform in others.  Was suspended from the team after the season and will declare for the supplemental draft or transfer to a I-AA school. +++
  • CB Marcus Hamilton -Clifton (VA) Centreville **** 6-1 180 4.5 -- Nickel back in 2003, started at CB in 2004.  Came on at the end of that season and had an impressive 05.  All ACC candidate in 06.  ++++ (one year left)
  • S Lance Evans -Voorhees (NJ) Eastern Regional *** 6-5 185 4.57 -- A lanky safety who was the primary backup in 2004.   A potential starter in 05, he fell into disfavor and wasn't even in the rotation at the end of the year.  No 5th year.  +
  • DT Kwakou Robinson -Brooklyn (NY) Polytechnic Prep **** 6-4 315 5.1 -- Saw time as a true freshman on a severely depleted line.  A backup DL most of his career, weight issues kept him from fulfilling his potential.  ++

 

  • S Willie Davis -Wilmington (NC) Laney *** 6-3 190 4.4 -- Privately was called the most athletic player in his class.  Played nickel and later started at safety.  Unfortunately a serious injury (nerve damage) while making a tackle ended his career. +
  • DE Braden Campbell -Slippery Rock (PA) *** 6-5 255 4.9 -- Backup on the DL for a couple years.  Moved to offensive line to try to prolong his career, hand injuries forced him to quit football though. +
  • K Tom Hagan -Roanoke (VA) Cave Spring *** 6-2 170 4.6 -- Punted for two years, had a bad 2003 and quit to concentrate on baseball.   +

  • OG D.J. Bell -Camden (DE) Caesar Rodney *** 6-4 298 5.2 -- Redshirted.  Competed for time at center in 05.  No fifth year.
  • WR Ronald Morton -Hamilton (NJ) Hamilton West *** 6-1 180 4.35 -- Blazing speed but never put it all together on the field.  Two career catches?  Academically suspended for 05 and did not return for a fifth year. 
  • DT Keenan Carter -Dumfries (VA) Potomac **** 6-3 315 5 -- Prepped and recommitted for 2003.
  • QB Anthony Martinez -Ashland (VA) Patrick Henry **** 6-4 220 4.7 -- Strong armed, big.  Redshirted.  Started a game when Schaub went down, but it was too early in his career and he struggled.   Left the team to concentrate on baseball.
  • RB Kenneth Tynes -Centreville (VA) *** 5-11 185 4.4 -- Redshirted, looked to be on the two-deep at CB but was kicked off the team after a couple of suspensions.
  • OL Brett Tobin -Green Bay (WI) Pulaski ** 6-6 275 5.2 -- A late commit who left school almost as quickly as he got there.
  • C Damian Spradlin -Bedford (VA) Liberty *** 6-3 290 5.1 -- An early commit who left school almost as quickly as he got there.
  • CB Stefan Orange -Culpeper (VA) **** 6-1 180 4.5 -- Transferred before 2004 to JMU.
  • DT Robert Armstrong -Arlington (VA) Washington & Lee ** 6-3 300 5 -- Denied by UVa admissions, went to Maryland.
  • DT Robert Jenkins -Nassau (NY) Nassau County *** 6-4 280 5 Denied by UVa admissions (again), went to Maryland.