U-Va.'s Covington Is Receptive

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Aug. 6 -- Maurice Covington still speaks with Fontel Mines every day, no matter that Mines has graduated and Covington has taken his spot as a starting wide receiver at Virginia. Mines acted as something of a spiritual leader for the Cavaliers, "like a big brother to me," Covington said.

When they talk on the telephone, Mines's message to Covington is simple: "This is your year. Go out there and do your thing. Take care of business."

The first piece of the advice -- This is your year-- for better or worse, could not be more fitting for the Virginia receiving corps, the largest unknown as the Cavaliers began preseason practice Monday night. When Kevin Ogletree was lost for the season to a knee injury in the spring, Virginia lost not only one of the best deep threats in the conference, but also its only remaining proven wide receiver.

Covington, a junior who notched six of his 11 career receptions last season, is the most experienced wide receiver remaining. Next is Cary Koch, a junior who transferred from Tulane last season. He has caught 24 career passes, only one of which has come with Virginia. Redshirt freshmen Chris Dalton and walk-on Staton Jobe fill out Virginia's top four wide receivers.

Unexpectedly, Covington has emerged as the best threat for sophomore quarterback Jameel Sewell. Ogletree caught 52 balls last season. The remaining wide receivers on Virginia's depth chart have caught a total of seven.

"It's definitely a real big season for me," Covington said. "It's a lot of pressure. I'm the only returning junior that actually played last year. It's a big issue. I'm ready to step up and do my job."

Covington shed five pounds, slimming down to 215. He spent every day in Virginia's weight room this summer, knowing he would need more endurance and strength to carry the enhanced burden.

While Covington worked out over the offseason, he found reason for confidence in Ogletree's ascension last year. As a freshman, Ogletree caught just seven passes. But when Deyon Williams suffered an ankle injury in preseason, Ogletree was thrust into a starring role, and he used the opportunity to become honorable mention all-ACC.

"I really feel I have a good chance of stepping up and being the main, go-to receiver," Covington said. "I'm very faithful and comfortable in my abilities. I'm very excited for this season."

Damaging as it is to Virginia's season, Ogletree's injury has created an opportunity. When Jobe walked on last season, he figured he would need to claw his way up the depth chart for several seasons. "I was definitely surprised to get a shot this early," he said.

Though Jobe is unassuming, generously listed at 6 feet, he is familiar with big-time football. He arrived at Virginia from Westlake High in Texas, one of the premier high school football programs in the country. Although three high school teammates accepted Division I scholarships, he was named team MVP as a senior.

"I don't think about that sort of stuff," Jobe said. "I always go out there with the mind-set that I'm better than the guy across from me. Not in a cocky sort of way, but that's the kind of mind-set you have to have."

"He hasn't said a word, hasn't complained," running back Cedric Peerman said. "He's one of the most stand-up guys you'll ever want to be around. Good guy, great teammate. I'm looking for big things from him."

And Virginia, for better or worse, will need big things from Jobe and Virginia's other largely anonymous wide receivers as Ogletree watches. Of course, at this time last season, Ogletree was mostly unknown, too.

"There's some good natural skill amongst them," Coach Al Groh said. "Collectively working with those to bring talent out of them, that's our challenge."

Cavaliers Note: Redshirt freshman running back Keith Payne did not practice with the Cavaliers, still under suspension by Groh for academic reasons. Payne is academically eligible for now, though, and, pending results from exams in the coming days, he is likely to rejoin the Cavaliers soon. Payne, who is 6 feet 3, 234 pounds, is expected to challenge Peerman for the starting role, replacing Jason Snelling.