1. Cedric Peerman- The sometimes forgotten member of the Virginia Cavaliers, Peerman actually led the ACC in rushing before an injury against Middle Tennessee State left him sidelined for the rest of the regular season.
Peerman has had an up-and-down career at Virginia. In his debut game in 2005 against Western Michigan, he accounted for 179 all-purpose yards. However, in 2006, Peerman only ran for 153 yards the entire season. Peerman accounts the sophomore slump to a change in his running style.
In 2007, he swore to play naturally and instinctively, and it certainly worked. Peerman rushed for 620 yards in just six games, but still led his team in rushing for the entire season. He averaged nearly 100 yards per game, and now that he is back in good health he should be a welcome sight for heir apparent to the quarterback throne Pete Lalich.
Peerman has shown the ability to earn the hard yards and his experience will rush Virginia to some close game victories this season.
2. Mikell Simpson- Clearly Simpson has a flair for the dramatic. He started the season at the bottom of the running back depth chart, yet injuries and under-production led to an opportunity that he certainly did not waste.
Before a national Saturday night audience, the rising junior had the 52,000 fans in College Park, Md. searching their programs as he accounted for 271 all-purpose yards. He also had the city of Jacksonville jumping with a record 97-yard run against Texas Tech in the Gator Bowl.
Simpson is by far Virginia’s fastest option on offense, and he also has some of the best hands on the team as well. Simpson not only finished as the team’s second leading rusher, but he was also the team’s leading receiver with 43 receptions.
His versatility will prove critical in 2008, as Virginia will look toward his strength and speed to revive a West Coast offense that has been anemic since the departure of Houston Texan’s quarterback Matt Schaub.
3. Eugene Monroe- Okay, so the offensive lineman is probably the most under-appreciated position in football. Still, if Virginiahas have proven anything, it is their ability to create NFL-caliber linemen.
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