If Saturday’s spring fling was any indication, the days of Virginia’s offense being the caboose of NCAA statistical data are over.

Prior to trotting onto the field for what proved to be one of just two touchdown drives in Saturday’s Spring Football Festival, Virginia quarterback Jameel Sewell huddled with a collection of teammates.

“Vic is a competitor,” said Virginia right tackle Will Barker. “On offense or defense, he is just a playmaker. Everybody respects what Vic has done and can do.”

Finally, the senior southpaw will be back.

Who knows what might have happened with Virginia football last fall if not for a change in plans last spring.

Back in 2004, neither Al Groh or Gregg Brandon could have imagined that they would some day be putting their minds together on the same football staff.

It is different with every situation, but Sherando quarterback Ross Metheny is firmly committed to play football at Virginia.

Jameel Sewell is counting down the days.

With turmoil swirling around Groh after the Cavaliers’ 1-3 start, fans are looking for reasons as to why the program is struggling in the coach’s eighth year on the job.

A year ago, Marc Verica was buried on Virginia’s quarterback depth chart. He was fourth behind then-starter Jameel Sewell, true freshman backup Peter Lalich and senior Scott Deke.

For the sixth time in as many seasons, Virginia is set to add another member to the high-profile club Saturday as it entertains third-ranked Southern California at Scott Stadium.

The hush policy will likely continue until a candidate is named publicly or emerges to take the first snap against third-ranked Southern California on August 30.

Virginia coach Al Groh said Deke, who will turn 23 in November, was given the honor based on his “seniority” over sophomores Pete Lalich and Marc Verica.

After the grades from the first semester were compiled, Sewell was placed on an academic suspension for the next two consecutive semesters, meaning he would miss spring practice and this coming season. So, Groh and his staff were forced to find another quarterback and return to a different style of play.

It was Albert’s escape from a different nickname that sums up the ever-improving storybook progression that will include a new chapter when his name is called Saturday in the first round of the NFL draft.