Virginia Cavaliers College Football Media Day Quote, 07/21/2021

Kind of losing your partner in crime in Snowden, who have you been looking at on the field that has now been your shoulder to lean on as a leader on this team?

Name off a couple guys that I’m looking for some leadership qualities and mentality. I’m going to have to say Nick Jackson, phenomenal season last year as our Mike backer. Was one of the top ACC performers in tackling. Really showed us he’s a defender that everyone needs to take account for.

But also I want to say Nick Grant, as well, at corner. He came in last year, had a pretty good season, made some plays. But I think me and him both are trying to prove a lot this year, trying to set up the next generation at UVA. Trying to leave this place better than we found it together.

Your father, Tony, played at UVA as well, defensive back. You spoke about the next generation. You kind of fit that. Speak about anything that your father has told you while playing DB?

I mean, I wouldn’t be the player I am without my dad, that’s for sure. He kind of taught me the ins-and-outs, basic techniques about defense, really transitioning those to high school and to the college level.

Definitely got to a certain point where he wasn’t coaching me as hands on, more just took the father role, let the coaches coach me.

But playing similar positions, like you said, we both played safety here at UVA, he’s kind of just guided me through this way. Let this be my own journey, though.

One thing I’d like to state, making the decision to come to UVA was mine and mine only. He made that very clear that he had his journey set out and his path was already made, and he wanted me to make my own journey and set out my own legacy for myself. Nonetheless, I’m proud to be his son and blessed to be at UVA.

Bronco, just what he’s meant to this team, what he means to you as a leader, what you can say it is to be in the locker room with Bronco?

I mean, Coach Mendenhall means I guess the world to me. He gave me the opportunity to come to UVA and showcase my abilities. I have a quick story about Coach Mendenhall that I’ll share real fast.

I remember being recruited to UVA. It was like a junior day visit. Happened all the time. Came to a basketball game. Pretty sure it was UVA versus either Duke or North Carolina. I got called down to like an underground office under the stadium with my dad. Coach Mendenhall was talking with my dad. He handed me a sheet of paper to read out loud.

Of course I was nervous reading in front of a head coach. I wanted to make sure my words were right, I wasn’t stumbling on everything.

I read this document. I’m with my dad. And at the ‚Äì pretty much the last paragraph, it just stated: We want to offer you a full scholarship, essentially, to the University of Virginia.

I remember looking up, in that moment, like ‚Äì I looked at my dad, my dad was crying, I’m crying, Coach Mendenhall was just proud, smiling at me, saying that it’s not just about football here, it’s about becoming an all-around man, a good human being.

At that moment I felt like there was more purpose in life than just football. It’s been a constant struggle honestly with football ups and downs, trying to find purpose in that.

But Coach Mendenhall really meant the world to me and still does. He’s giving me opportunities day in and day out to be the best person I can be.

With your injuries last year, what was your approach in staying mentally sharp given those challenges, and given the challenges of the world?

I think 2020 was crazy for everybody. But I may have had a crazier year with football, like you stated. I dealt with bad injuries to my legs. That kind of prevented me from playing in my senior year.

But nonetheless, with everything going around, trying to stay mentally sharp, I knew I was not just by myself, but with the team. I was really trying to influence and encourage all the guys stepping up to positions they were playing, first-time starters, playing in positions that I played in.

I have a lot of experience in the secondary, so trying to pass on those knowledge and keep myself mentally sharp, to lead the team not only the field but take a position off the field or maybe like a sideline leadership.

With that all being said, it wasn’t an easy task. I did my best. I hope I did it well enough to pass on good knowledge to everyone else.