Fighting for a spot

CHARLOTTESVILLE — When Terence Fells-Danzer hits the practice field at the University of Virginia, the former Culpeper County High School star thinks about making 2009 his breakout year.

Fells-Danzer came to U.Va. three years ago as a highly-touted recruit — the No. 7 inside linebacker in the country according to Rivals.com — but after redshirting in 2007 he played in just four games last year and appeared at linebacker just once, in a stunning loss to Duke.

“I’m putting in a lot more work to get better from day-to-day,” the Cavaliers sophomore said. “I’m getting a lot more reps in practice and it’s paying off.”

In a recent open practice Fells-Danzer saw the field quite a bit with the No. 2 defensive unit, but he was not listed on the Cavaliers preseason depth chart at either inside linebacker spot. That alone showed that he still had to prove himself.

Looking around the locker room, Fells-Danzer can see several faces that were familiar to him long before he arrived at U.Va.

There’s Quintin Hunter, the freshman from Orange County he used to chase during their high school days…and Corey Lillard, a freshman defensive back from Liberty who grew up just across the county line…and brothers Kyle and Connor McCartin, who helped rival Fauquier turn its program around.

Another former Culpeper Blue Devil, fullback Curt Orshoski, said that it’s easy for the players from the same area to pull for each other these days.

“There are a lot of guys from the area and a few things go back and forth,” Orshoski said. “The McCartins probably give it to us a little more because of the Fauquier-Culpeper dynamic, but it’s fun and we hope to see each other do well.”

With so many old rivals now teammates there’s bound to be some talk about the high school days and some good-natured ribbing to go along with it. But when those times come, Fells-Danzer usually stays quiet.

“I’m usually at the bottom of the pile when it comes to the jokes because everybody here beat us in high school,” he said. “But right now we can look back at it and laugh because we are on a totally different level and we are all on one team, here together.”

So now Fells-Danzer is working to prove himself and show he was worthy of the high school adulation and, more importantly, worthy of playing time this season.

“I got to start from scratch every year,” Fells-Danzer said. “It’s learning your plays in the playbook and making sure you are mentally prepared for whatever the game situations throw at you. I’m very comfortable because this is my job and if I do my job it just assures I can stick around longer and bless the program with what I do. I just want to help the team get better day-by-day. I’ll do what I can to contribute in any way, shape or form.”

And if all goes according to plan, he’ll continue to see more reps on the practice field and Virginia coach Al Groh will see fit to get him on the field during games. Even if he doesn’t get a lot of playing time this year, Fells-Danzer said extra practice time helps.

“That right there alone will help you build more confidence to even step on the field,” Fells-Danzer said. “Coach Groh wants to know that if he puts you out there you know what you’re doing and that goes to prove that if you are in your playbook everyday you will get the playing time you deserve.”