Country star Alan Jackson and Virginia football coach Al Groh would agree on at least one thing: Too much of a good thing is a good thing.
While Jackson sings that line with the Chattahoochee and country girls in mind, Groh is most likely thinking about his plethora of tight ends.
Virginia's trio of tight ends -- junior Heath Miller, senior Patrick Estes and true freshman Tom Santi -- has played a crucial part in the Cavaliers' dominant performances in the first three games of the season.
"Tight end is always going to be a prominent position on this team," Groh said. "That's how the scheme is built. We have some very capable tight ends."
Out of this very productive trio, the 6-foot-5-inch, 225-pound Miller is obviously gains the most attention and headlines. He is leading the ACC in receiving touchdowns with three, and was also named ACC Player of the Week for Offensive Linemen after his five-catch, two-touchdown game against Akron Saturday. Miller is also an early favorite for the John Mackey Award, given to the best tight end in the country.
Miller, however, recognizes that he is not the only tight end that has been producing for the Virginia offense, which is currently ranked third in the nation for points per game at a mind-boggling clip of 50.3 ppg.
"I think it's an asset to the offense to be able to have three guys that can come in and be productive in the running game as well as the passing game," Miller said.
Estes, a 6-foot-7-inch, 280-pound senior, is best known for Virginia as a big blocker -- a kind of guy that can come in during the running game to add a sixth or seventh lineman for the Cavaliers. Opposing teams cannot look past the playmaking part of his game, however, as Estes has five touchdowns and 26 receptions in his career.
"Pat, obviously from his stature, is a good blocker," Miller said. "He can really move people, but he's also capable of catching the ball as you saw Saturday and making plays once he gets the ball in his hand."
The youngest of three, Santi, has not taken a long time to let his impact on this Virginia squad be known. The 6-foot-5-inch, 225-pound freshman -- one of the most heralded recruits in the 2004 class -- is best known for his speed and hands, but has potential to become an all-around blocking and receiving tight end, like Miller and Estes before him. In his first three games as a collegiate player, Santi has netted five catches for a total of 43 yards.
Groh and Miller are certainly aware of Santi's potential.
"He's doing a great job for us," Miller said. "I look forward to big things for him. Things are coming at him fast, but he's taking it all real well and he's doing a good job."
Both the present and the future of the Virginia tight ends are in good hands. Miller and Estes represent the foundation of a group that often has to be asked to block interior lineman or blitzing linebackers, line up to the outside as a receiver and make big catches. Santi and red-shirt freshman Jonathan Stupar -- who is currently out with a broken foot --- represent a future that should make huge strides in the Virginia offensive scheme.
"Tight end's always going to be a premium position on our team," Groh said. "We have it on all levels."
And even Alan Jackson knows, that is a good thing.
Read More
Katie Grimes posts historic debut as women’s swimming and diving annihilates Virginia Tech
By Xander Tilock | 16 hours agoGrimes broke out as a new superstar for Coach Todd DeSorbo's squad.
Women’s basketball displays stingy defense, but falls short versus No. 14 Duke
By Xander Tilock | 21 hours agoThe Cavaliers nearly conquered a ranked rival but could not generate consistent offense.
You cannot say money is the problem for Virginia football
By Peter Kriebel | YesterdayMoney, after all, is just one aspect of a winning program.
