Virginia football coach Mike London has reinstated linebacker Ausar Walcott, one of three players who were arrested after a brawl early this year in Harrisonburg, Va.
Last week, while all charges against Walcott were dropped from the Jan. 30 incident, center Mike Price and cornerback Devin Wallace pled guilty to misdemeanor assault and battery and face a year of probation. Price and Wallace, both juniors next fall, remain on suspension.
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“They still have issues with the school,” London said. “Aside from that, I have my own guarded feelings about them right now.”
Along with his return to the team, which comes after the conclusion of spring practice, Walcott (6-foot-4, 230 pounds) will undergo a position change to defensive end, London said. Walcott started 11 games at linebacker and was third on the team in tackles (56) last fall as a redshirt sophomore.
“He’s put on a couple extra pounds [with] inactivity,” London said. “As far as looking for a pass rusher, his frame and his size dictates [it]. We’re emphasizing strength and size and speed. We feel pretty good that Mother Nature’s gonna jump on him real quick here.”
London said he expects Walcott to play his new position at 250 pounds. Virginia’s Cam Johnson (6-4, 265), a senior next fall, made the same transition last offseason as the Cavaliers moved from a 3-4 set to a 4-3.
No answers at QB
London brought little clarity to the wide-open quarterback job, where sophomores Michael Rocco and Ross Metheney, both backups last year to Mark Verica, are competing. Rocco started the spring game and completed 17 of 32 passes for 172 yards. Redshirt freshman Michael Strauss and incoming freshman David Watford struggled in the spring game.
“We’ll list it as Michael Rocco or Ross Metheney,” London said. “The second group will be Michael Strauss or David Watford. Those guys are in a bunch. Somebody’s got to separate themselves.”
Local leadership
Two former Washington-area standouts will serve as Virginia captains next fall. Senior defensive tackle Nick Jenkins (Good Counsel) and senior safety Rodney McLeod (DeMatha) were named, along with junior running back Perry Jones and senior wide receiver Matt Snyder, who began his career as a walk-on.
