Virginia: How Does Such a Bad Team Produce So Many NFL Players?

The Story of The Cavs

Since 1953, the University of Virginia has played football in the ACC. Since the date they have joined, they have only won two ACC championships and absolutely zero national championships. Not only have they only won 2 ACC championships (one of them a co-championship) but they have only played in one BCS-type bowl game, that being the Sugar Bowl in 1990.

These type of numbers lead you to believe there's no way these guys are putting anyone in the pro's.

On the contrary, UVA produces NFL superstars and 1st round picks like it's a job. Mostly being a 1990-to-present movement, UVA, while not doing anything with there college program, have been pumping massive amounts of talent into the NFL.

It all started back in the day. And I mean back in the day, with UVA hero and legend Bill Dudley.

Dudley, a Hall of Famer, broke tons of records at UVA before going on to have a legendary NFL career. Even winning the NFL MVP in 1946, his career stretched over eleven years, leaving an everlasting on the early NFL.

After Dudley, Henry Jordan would be the next to mark his name in the NFL.

Heny Jordan, a RDT, spent 12 years in the NFL. He was a 1st team all-pro five times and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2005. Jordan's career accomplishments have been compared to those of Randy White and Buck Buchannan.

Then came what us UVA fans like to call the glory days. During the George Welsh era we actually competed yearly for ACC titles and even National Championships, believe it or not.

The George Welsh Era


Prior to Welsh showing up, the Cavaliers had not made it to a bowl in 29 years. Welsh came in and it took quite a while, but he turned it around in a big way. He won National Coach of the Year three times and ACC Coach of the Year five times, leading the Cavs to bowls 12 times.

Now to the players that Welsh put through to the pro's.

Herman Moore is clearly the most important, with his four pro-bowls and three all-pros. Herman was quite simply one of the best WRs in the NFL for a six or seven year span. Moore was one of the early guys, along with the likes of Terry Kirby, Ray Roberts, and Keith Lyle, who all had very lengthy successful careers in the NFL.

Moore was just the start of UVA players filtering into the pros. Not necessarily starting with, but, most importantly, the Barber Brothers.

Tiki had a wonderful career, finishing as the Giants all-time leading rusher, as well as one of three players ever to have 10,000 yards rushing and 5,000 yards receiving. Will most likely be hearing his name called to the fame.

Rhonde has been one of the best cover corners in the NFL the past 10 years and is well known throughout the NFL circle with four pro-bowl appearances.

Also, coming out around the same time were former NFL stars Jamie Sharper (Baltimore Ravens' '00 SB team), Terrence Wilkins (10 year ST guy). Germane Crowell (1,000 yard receiving one year), Patrick Jeffers (five year slot guy in NFL), Chris Slade (pro-bowler and 9 year linebacker in NFL), Wali Rainer (100-tackle seasons in the NFL), and Aaron Brooks (a beast for the Saints at one time, 4 years 3,000-yards passing or more)

Then there was the beast James Farrior.

Farrior, who is still in the league, finished fourth one year in NFL Defensive Player of The Year voting and has been a constant in a top Steeler defense since he arrived from the Jets.

Not to mention the beast of the 1999 Draft, Patrick Kerney.

Kerney has established him self as one of the best pass rushes in the league over the past five years. He has recorded over 10 sacks four times in his career, with an appearance on an all-pro team.

And the best of the 2000 draft, Thomas Jones. Jones, while only making one pro-bowl, is probably the best player ever to make only one pro-bowl. Almost 8,000 yards rushing for his career, TJ has been a constant performer since day one.

The list goes on folks, but I don't want to bore you, just take a look at your roster and you'd be impressed. Sure there's a UVA kid on there somewhere.

Other Big names in the past few years
Matt Schaub
Brad Butler
Heath Miller
Ahmad Bradshaw (attended UVA, transfer)
Ahmad Brooks
Angelo Crowell
Chris Long
D'Brickishaw Ferguson
Brendan Albert
Eugene Monroe

This article was written by single44threat on RST, and you can see the original post here: http://www.realsportstalk.net/forums/showthread.php?t=30725