Horne hopes to follow Simpson’s path

Virginia tailback Raynard Horne is no dummy. The third-year player watched last season as teammate Mikell Simpson — thanks to injuries and other circumstances — leapfrogged three players ahead of him on the depth chart to become a starter.
This season, Horne — currently third string behind Cedric Peerman and Simpson — realizes that if he keeps working hard, he too could be just a few snaps from having the chance to make a major impact.
“Of course that’s motivation,” Horne said. “Look where [Simpson] started out on the depth chart and then ended up last year. I’m thinking to myself that it could be me.”
That’s not to say that the Baltimore native is wishing any ill will on his teammates. It’s quite the contrary.
Horne would love to show off some of the running skills that helped him earn second-team Washington Post
All-Met honors as a senior at Overlea Senior. But if the
6-foot, 210-pounder doesn’t get a chance this year, he’s more than happy to make his mark on special teams.
Horne is currently a member of the kickoff, punt and punt return units.
“I hope I can help the team,” Horne said, “in any way I possibly can.”
As a kid growing up in Baltimore, baseball was Horne’s sport of choice. But when the baseball coach, also the school’s football coach, saw Horne play, he immediately suggested that Horne give football a shot.
“He saw I was fast and told me to come and play football,” Horne said. “I started playing both. When I got to high school I just focused on football.”
As a senior at Overlea, Horne rushed for over 1,100 yards and scored 24 touchdowns.
Horne was redshirted his first season at Virginia, then appeared in just one game — Virginia’s win over Duke – last season.
This summer, Horne, by all accounts, has been making a very good case for
increased action.
“He is behaving like a guy who is intent on carving out some playing time and has learned from his previous experiences,” said Virginia coach Al Groh. “I think he’s a lot more tuned in to what it really takes to be able to play well.
“He’s always been a good athlete. He’s got real good speed. He’s definitely benefited from the years of training. He’s got a set of muscles on him that he certainly didn’t have previously.
“He has got plenty of strength to both take hits and to give them right now too. It appears that’s given him the confidence to be perhaps a more physical player.”
Horne just smiled when told of Groh’s positive comments.
“Things have been going good so far,” Horne added. “I’m getting better. I’ve been reading my blocks well on the offensive line and the coaches have been helping me get better.”
Simpson, who was in Horne’s position a year ago, has taken Horne under his wing.
“He told me to just keep my head up and keep practicing, little things,” Horne said.
Horne says his comfort level on the field has improved by leaps and bounds since his freshman year.
“I understand the offense more,” he said, “and know what the coaches are looking for more. I know what and what not to do.”
And if Virginia fans have the chance to see No. 44 line up in the backfield this season, what kind of runner will they see?
“I’m real fast and strong,” Horne said. “I’m not the bulldozer type. I think I have a little more moves. I would say I’m an all-around back.”