Virginia tight end Heath Miller and outside linebacker Darryl Blackstock, both three-year starters, announced they would forego their senior seasons of eligibility and enter the 2005 NFL Draft. Blackstock, a second team All-ACC selection, led the Cavaliers in sacks each of the past three seasons.
Miller earned the Mackey Award, annually given to the nation's top tight end, after catching 41 passes for 541 yards and five touchdowns, all of which were team highs.
A unanimous first-team All-American, Miller waited until after the MPC Computers Bowl to make his decision.
"I really put off everything to the end of the season and weighed my options from there and made the decision that was right for me," Miller said. "Ultimately, I decided as a person and as a player that I was ready to take the next step and make myself eligible for the draft."
Miller said he approached Virginia coach Al Groh, a 13-year NFL coaching veteran, for counsel on his decision, saying that Groh "didn't encourage me one way or the other." Instead, Miller said Groh merely offered an assessment of his abilities and future in the NFL.
"There is a significant difference between a player's being ready to be drafted and that of a player's being ready to play well in the NFL," Groh said in a press release. "Heath clearly fits into both categories. We fully support his decision to start his NFL career. Heath is one of the best players to have ever played at Virginia. He has done a great deal for our team and we appreciate and admire him."
Having redshirted his first year on Grounds, Miller would have been eligible to enter the draft after his second season on the field. He led all tight ends in the nation that year with 70 receptions for 835 yards but said he wasn't ready to turn pro.
"Not at all last year because I knew I wasn't ready as a player yet, and also I knew I wasn't ready on a personal level to make the transition," he said.
Miller, nicknamed "Big Money" by teammates and recently renamed "Much More Money" by quarterback Marques Hagans, is ranked as the draft's fourth best talent according to ESPN draft expert Mel Kiper.
Blackstock's 10.5 sacks this year led the conference and earned him second-team All-ACC honors. He exploded onto the scene as a rookie, notching 10 sacks and being named the National Defensive Freshman of the Year by CollegeFootballNews.com and Rivals.com.
"Darryl played a significant role in a lot of games that we have won," Groh said in a press release. "He is a talented player and we wish great success for him with this next challenge."
He did not make himself available to the media following his decision.
With Blackstock's early departure from Charlottesville, the Cavaliers will have to replace both of their starting outside linebackers as Dennis Haley completed his eligibility. Redshirt freshmen Vince Redd and Jermane Dias, who saw consistent playing time in the team's nickel package, are the leading candidates to start next season.
Tight ends Tom Santi and Jonathan Stupar are the most likely candidates to fill the void left by Miller. Santi was fifth on the team in receiving during his freshman campaign last season, catching 13 passes for 155 yards. Stupar was out for most of the season with a foot injury.
Junior tackle D'Brickashaw Ferguson and sophomore linebacker Ahmad Brooks both elected to stay at Virginia for another season despite speculation that the two were considering an early departure.
This is the first time in program history that two Cavaliers have entered the draft before completing their eligibility. The last was receiver Tavon Mason, who left after the 2001 season.
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