THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, February 16, 1995 TAG: 9502160538
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C8 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY FRANK VEHORN, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: CHARLOTTESVILLE LENGTH: Medium: 55 lines
Virginia football coach George Welsh spent more time recruiting last year, but it proved worthwhile.
``We got the positions and the numbers we wanted,'' Welsh said Wednesday of the 23 players the Cavaliers signed. ``I feel good about it. We seldom had to go back and take second choice.''
The most highly rated signees were Johnny Shivers, a lineman from Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.; Dwayne Stukes, a wide receiver from Baltimore; Casey Crawford, a tight end from Falls Church; and Evan Hunt, a lineman from Spotsylvania.
Shivers, recuited by most major schools, showed early interest in Virginia.
``We were hoping when Florida State came into the league that it would open Florida up to us,'' Welsh said. ``He was interested in our commerce school, too.''
Welsh said the biggest needs were at the tight end, the line and linebacker.
Maurice Anderson, a 6-foot-4, 264-pound lineman from Blackstone, already is enrolled for the spring semester. He graduated from Nottoway High School last year.
Welsh said he made phone calls to recruits last fall, which he normally doesn't do, and skipped a few days of bowl practice in December to make recruiting trips.
He even took a train to Montreal to recruit Andre Karelis, a linebacker.
``I felt those things were important,'' he said, ``especially since more kids were wanting to make early decisions.''
Welsh announced that Rod Broadway, who has been on the Duke staff for 14 years, will be his new defensive tackles coach.
Welsh said he has interviewed former Maryland head coach Joe Krivak to be quarterbacks coach.
Krivak also is a candidate to become offensive coordinator at Duke.
Welsh disclosed that quarterback Symmion Willis is playing baseball and could miss some spring practice.
Willis lost the starting job last fall to Mike Groh.
Spring practice is scheduled to begin on March 22 or 23. Welsh said the spring game could be in Richmond since Scott Stadium is being returned to natural turf.
Virginia will open the season Aug. 26 at Michigan in the Pigskin Classic.
``I don't feel we are overscheduled, if we stay healthy,'' Welsh said.
``The Michigan game is one we couldn't afford to pass up because of the national exposure.'' by CNB