If you were to walk into the Frank McCue Center, which houses the Virginia football office, there is a good chance you will see one of the best players the football team has to offer.
Whether studying a tape, asking his coaches a question or working on the game plan for the upcoming game, 6-foot-1, 235-pound junior linebacker Angelo Crowell spends most of his free time working on one facet of his game or another.
For most college students, time not spent in classes or doing homework is a time to socialize or catch up on sleep, but not for Crowell. While others are watching television or partying, Crowell is busy finding ways he can improve the defense, where he has taken charge.
"He's in [the football office] all the time," Virginia coach Al Groh said. "His work ethic is amazing, as he is willing to give up his social time. He's not out there playing Playstation. He wants to get better. He wants to make it to the next level."
But don't get the idea that Crowell is a social recluse. Although he admits to spending a lot of his time at the McCue Center, he said he doesn't spend all his time on football.
"Every once in a while I will sneak some Playstation in there," Crowell said with a laugh. "When the other guys challenge me [at Playstation], I have to play them to show them who's best. I am in [the football office] a lot though. I want to reach the next level. I want to become the best I can be."
Who could blame him? Crowell has the talent to be a superstar, and the way he has played lately is making people start to notice.
Crowell had the best game of his career Saturday against Clemson, making several huge plays to lead the Cavalier defense. The junior from Winston-Salem, N.C., recorded 15 tackles (one for a loss), an interception that set up the Cavaliers' first touchdown, a sack and a pass deflection.
But Crowell's impressive numbers aren't only a representation of one game, as he has shown he can be a producer and leader in every game. He has 39 tackles, three sacks, one forced fumble, one interception and six quarterback hurries so far this season. He leads or is tied for the best on the team in all of those categories.
Although his name hasn't been in the spotlight until this season, Crowell certainly didn't come out of the woodwork. Groh said that he saw the fire inside Crowell starting with day one.
"He's got that look in his eyes when it comes to football," Groh said. "He stood out quickly in spring practice and I knew he could be an impact player on the team. He has more stuff to do with Merrill [Robertson] being out."
Robertson, a junior who normally holds a starting linebacker position, has been out since the middle of the Wisconsin game with a high ankle sprain. As a result, Crowell became the man Groh picked to be the leader of the defense.
"I think I've become the quarterback of the defense," Crowell said. "I've put more effort into the game and it has paid off."
Crowell has played a part in every play for the defense so far this season - an amazing feat that seems to take stamina to a new level.
"I had to do some extra running after practice," he said. "I had to work extra hard at staying in shape because I knew I was going to have to be in there."
Crowell is a lot like his brother, Germane, a former stand-out wide receiver at Virginia and now Detroit Lion. When he was a Cavalier, Germane was known for his great work ethic and talent. Some of that effort must have rubbed off on Angelo along the way, and Angelo says he still talks to his brother three or four times a week.
The talented linebacker and strong student looks to follow his older brother into the NFL and make Crowell a household name for years to come. But first he wants to take Virginia as far as he can.
"I wouldn't mind winning any awards, but I really don't care about all of that," he said. "I want to win ball games. That's what it's all about."
As long as he sticks to studying tapes, asking questions and hanging around the football office, Crowell shouldn't have any trouble achieving his goals. In fact, he just might see himself on an NFL Playstation game someday.
Read More
Football lands three additional transfers
By Peter Kriebel | 16 hours agoOne common trait that stands out with this most recent batch of transfers is size.
Men’s basketball suffers road drubbing versus California
By Emory Huffman | 17 hours agoVirginia submitted another rudderless performance.
After months of planning, men’s basketball embarks on first West Coast swing
By Michael Liebermann | YesterdayVirginia, in the eyes of the rest of the conference, is a guinea pig.
