UVa’s Hall settles in on offense
In an interview earlier this week, the pace of Jameel Sewell’s voice quickened.
The topic at hand was one that Virginia’s quarterback enjoyed discussing.
In his words, former cornerback Vic Hall was back at “home” on offense.
It was a move that Sewell had longed to see for his roommate.
Hall, of course, was pushed into the secondary by depleted numbers at cornerback early in his career and stayed at the spot until making his first start last year in the season finale at Virginia Tech.
One of the most acclaimed quarterbacks in Virginia high school history did not disappoint. In fact, Hall had Virginia in position to tie or upend the Hokies until a late-game interception thrown by Marc Verica derailed those plans.
Against the Hokies, Hall rushed for 109 yards and scored a pair of touchdowns.
He was home again.
“I was excited,” said Sewell, who did not play last year. “I kind of said, ‘Finally, he is back to where he needs to be.’”
It was not necessarily where Hall wanted to be.
With a team-first mentality, the senior merely desired to help Virginia win whether that was at quarterback, cornerback or returning punts.
“The main thing that I wanted to prove coming into college is that I could work hard and I could help my team in any way,” Hall said. “It wasn’t about proving to people that I could do this or do that.
“If you could do whatever you do on the field as far as helping your team in your contribution, I feel like that’s proving yourself.”
From his first practice, Hall won over his 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.”
For Hall, whether it is in the slot as a wide receiver — a possibility if Sewell or Verica win the starting job — this spring has been a chance to show what he can do leading an offense.
He will get his final opportunity before training camp opens in August on Saturday as the Cavaliers hold their
annual spring contest at Scott Stadium at 2 p.m.
“I do look at this as a second chance to be what I aspired to be when I came to Virginia — a quarterback,” Hall said.
So far, so good.
“He has taken control of the offense when he has been in there and he has made some good throws,” Barker said. “He has done really well. We feel good with any one of the three in there.”
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Reader Reactions
I still believe UVA will use both Sewell and Hall at QB this season and in each and every game too. My crystal ball says Hall will actually get more playing time at QB than Sowell.
Remember Tim Sherman!He led the greatest comeback in Scott’s history vs a loaded HEELS(J.Peppers etc)team.Great call by Tom O’Brien on Goal line for game winner.Heels went after TIKI&Sherman;took it in untouched.End of Mack Brown era in Chapel Hole!I’ll never forget Tim.B.Cates
Remember Verica or Pistol Pete? What memories? I’m a fan from way back, I remember Majik, Secules, S Moore. Blundin, Bobby Goodman & Sy. Willis had great single seasons, Groh, (skip sherman, I bet you miss him too) Brooks, Ellis OK, Schaub, Hagans. Uva has a pretty good history at that position. More so with Welsh’s guys.
Amazing Cavalier fans Obviously don’t remember Marc Verica’s performance vs Maryland or Pistol Pete Lalich(top rated HS QB ever signed by Virginia)As Coach Welsh used to say"QBs get too much credit when you win and too much blame when you lose"B.Cates
Sorry to say, but Hall will not be the QB. He should be the starting QB and should have been starting, but this is groh ball. In order for him to be the guy, he has to be twice as good as Verica & Sewell. Hall HAS to be on the field, and if he is just as good as the other guy, they will put him back at corner or in the slot, where as Sewell and Verica can only play one position. Hall can play and win at this level, groh’s producing pros, but that’s not translating into victories. Lalich may be turn out ok at OSU, but he couldn’t hold a candle to Halls numbers and acomplishments in high school, team or individual. The fact that Hall didn’t even get a chance to compete is the problem, and I’m sure that was the plan all along to put him at DB or WR. “Tell them what they want to hear” until they get there and hear the “you have a better shot in the league at DB” speach. I’m sure we’d love to have had a M. Hagens, or Pat White type at QB, but groh likes them 6foot5. If any Vick or T Taylor had come here under groh they’d probably be playing WR or DB. It’s ok to switch positions if you’re loaded at one position, but this was clearly not the case when Hall came here. groh sells his guys on the pros, and we know Hall isn’t a pro QB, but he can be a great College QB and will play in the pros regardless, aka Hines Ward, Randell El, etc. As Herman once said, “YOU PLAY TO WIN THE GAME!“, all the pro prospects will still get their opportunities, probably even more cause they’ll be WINNING GAMES! (I like Sewell, but unless he makes a an amazing accuracy turnaround, I don’t look forward to him throwing all those dirt balls into the ground)
Vic Hall as quarterback? Any coach with any brains should have seen that since day one.
Agree with hoodo, VH at QB is long overdue. If made the starter, electrifying wins and a bowl game will be the result. He is flat out a playmaker, and the spread offense is PERFECT for his skill set (spead the field and let him create in space).
Vic should been the qb since he has been at UVA , if he had been starting we wouldn’t having any losing records. Go Hoos with # 4 AT QUARTER BACK.
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