NFL scouts interested in UVa’s Hall, Cook

CHARLOTTESVILLE — The bowl representatives have quit visiting, but Virginia’s football complex is still a hot spot for NFL scouts.

Despite a 3-7 season, the Cavaliers have a handful of seniors who could earn significant playing time on Sundays, and coach Al Groh’s NFL-like schemes ensure that those players are well-trained for the league when they enter.

Most prominent among that group are running back Rashawn Jackson, wide receiver Vic Hall (Gretna), defensive end Nate Collins and cornerback Chris Cook (Heritage).

With Collins and Hall, the big question is what position they’d play at the professional level. Hall started the season as quarterback and was moved to receiver. He’s also played at cornerback and punt returner during his time with the Cavs, which makes it hard for scouts to peg him to a certain position.

“Each one’s going to have a little different idea,” Groh said. “But the range of things that he’s done has certainly helped his circumstances, because it’s provided more options on which he can be evaluated.”

Groh said he wouldn’t try to nudge the scouts in any one direction. The coach, who is occasionally less than forthright with the media, is known for his openness with scouts, who are invited in to watch UVa’s video library of player performances.

Jackson has had a big season that has helped him break out, overcoming a training camp injury to earn a spot as the team’s No. 1 running back.

He would play in the NFL as a fullback, and his 6-1, 245-pound frame makes him well-suited to a position that colleges are starting to phase out as they adopt the spread offense. ESPN guru Mel Kiper Jr. has rated Jackson the top fullback among this year’s class. However, because of the position’s specialty, that’s not a guarantee he’d be picked on the first day.

Collins has found a way to stand out throughout the season, including picking up ACC defensive lineman-of-the-week honors on back-to-back weeks. He’s a defensive end in the Cavs’ 3-4 alignment but also played nose tackle against Georgia Tech successfully.

“I’m just trying to excel at every position I can possibly play, and that’s going to help my chances more at the next level,” he said.

All the players said they didn’t think too much about the NFL yet, that they’re just focusing on playing out their last weeks. Hall said he was looking to savor his final games as a collegiate player, no matter what position he plays.

“I don’t want to look back and say I wish I could have done this or I could have done that,” he said. “I’m going to take every opportunity. That’s the mindset I have.”

Groh said he’s tried to turn his program into a “full-service” operation, utilizing his experience as an NFL coach and contacts in the league.

“We’re pleased when players come back and say that they were well-prepared for everything that they encountered during the early part of their professional career,” he said Monday.

If the past is an indication, UVa will produce another successful crop of professional players this year despite a subpar season.

—Phillips is a staff writer for the Richmond Times-Dispatch.