Barker ready to lead

Reliable and dependable.

Teammates have thrown out those adjectives when describing right tackle Will Barker during the past three seasons.

Barker has, in fact, started 37 straight games at right tackle.

It was not until a practice early this week, however, that it hit the senior that his career was winding down.

Barker, suddenly the team’s anchor in the trenches with the departure of Eugene Monroe to the NFL draft, plays in his final spring game at Scott Stadium at 2 p.m. today.

“I have never thought that I would be the veteran looking back,” Barker said. “I know that I am leader and I have been around a while and have lots of game experience and I think some of my teammates look up to that, but at the same time we are all stepping up on the offensive line.”

The Cavaliers’ offensive line returns four starters, but other players have emerged to provide depth, according to Barker.

Landon Bradley, a Rock Weir Award winner last spring, which denotes the team’s most improved players, appears to be the

front-runner to start in Monroe’s vacated spot at left tackle. The sophomore made his Cavalier debut last season at Connecticut after the lopsided contest was all but decided.

“Landon has done a really good job after spending the past couple of years behind Eugene,” Barker said. “I think he learned a lot from him. He has been performing pretty well the entire camp.”

Depth has also emerged at spots, with lineman jockeying for spots on the second team.

“I think some of the most improved guys would be Aaron Van Kuiken and Lamar Milstead,” Barker said. “Both of them have looked really good progressively through camp and towards the end of camp they have been really steady players.

“I think that is exciting for the coaches as well as other guys on the team.”

Individually, Barker has used the spring to work on technique and learn the spread offense that may or may not be on display today depending on new offensive coordinator Gregg Brandon’s desire to unleash it in front of the masses.

“It is going well for myself. I improved on the technical aspect in terms of my game,” Barker said. “Guys have progressed, as well, as a team. I really think the spring has been really exciting and fun for everybody.”

After today’s contest, another challenge awaits Virginia’s players. It is during off-season workouts that players can make leaps in the weight room and in conditioning.

“That is the next phase and a vital phase that can’t be overlooked,” Barker said. “It’s going to be good to see how we transition from the spring to the summer and really make this offense go.”