Cast aside — for now

From all accounts, Marc Verica is the odd man out.

After being thrown onto the field a year prior to the liking of coach Al Groh, Verica walked into training camp listed third on the depth chart.

It could have easily felt like a punch to the gut for a signal-caller that threw for 2,037 yards after the the dismissal of former quarterback Peter Lalich.

Verica, a 6-foot-3 junior, leans towards the company line, perhaps longing for the day that fellow quarterbacks Vic Hall and Jameel Sewell, both seniors, exit the program.

Experience battling players such as Kevin McCabe and Christian Olsen and Sewell on the practice field in years past has helped the veteran and continues to do so now.

Despite Hall and Sewell running 1-2 on the depth chart and consuming a majority of the practice reps in new offensive coordinator Gregg Brandon’s spread system, Verica seems at ease.

“Really, we are all used to competition and it seems like every camp that I have been in there has been some sort of competition,” he said. “I truly think we are enjoying it. We are all good friends. We all make great teammates.

“We push each other day, encourage each other and just try and get better and have fun.”

To this point, Verica has not conceded the starting job, electing to focus on what is best for the team with reps as a virtual scout player.

“The chips will fall into place and I am sure that we will all have to contribute to this team this season,” said Verica, who threw 16 interceptions and eight touchdowns. “We are really just trying to get better and we will see what happens.”

Sewell said Verica has looked superb in certain spots despite working with players down on the depth chart.

“At times, he looks like the same player that helped us beat North Carolina last year,” Sewell said. “He knows the game.”

Having seen meaningful playing time, Verica is seen as a leader on a squad that has no established captains.

“The leadership was pretty strong, as strong as any time that I have seen since I have been here,” Verica said. “It is a hungry team, it is a competitive team and the upperclassmen that we have really have their priorities in order. They really set a good example for the younger guys.

“Leadership hasn’t been an issue at all. It has definitely been a strength for us.”

As far as Verica goes, he said he dropped pounds over the summer to regain extra mobility. And whatever role he is given, he will take with open arms.

Extra points

Virginia will hold its first two-a-day practice today. Thursday’s practice will be open to the public. The session starts at 2:30 p.m.