⚡ CFB Dashboard

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va.-- Virginia football has concluded its spring schedule. The last few weeks the Virginia staff were focused on not only working through some position battles at some positions but they were also looking at how some of the younger players have developed and if they have competitive depth at several positions.  Let's take a look at who rose their stock this spring. And for the purpose of this story, we will not be focused on solely starters or those that expect to start.  RB Jekail Middlebrook Virginia continues to evaluate the running back room, but the spring game did show the room's overall potential with several of the backs having explosive plays, including Middlebrook.  "Jekail Middlebrook has been a highlight," Virginia running backs coach Keith Gaither said earlier int he spring, "and has been a kid that reminds me a lot of J'Mari [Taylor] with his mannerisms. He has a tremendous football IQ. He's blue-collar, doesn't say much, but just works." "It was good to see 21 Middlebrook get out there and let everybody else see, because he's probably been the most consistent throughout the course of spring ball in terms of generating the big play," added UVA head coach Tony Elliott.  WR Rico Flores Jr.  Another position that has a position battle brewing is at wide receiver. Rico Flores Jr. made himself an option for the long ball - not only in the game but also throughout spring.  "Rico is a very confident young man," said UVA OC Des Ktichings. "He's also had that same mentality approach in the run game-  that's really appreciated.. Appreciate about him is that he is sold on to do anything to help us win games."  He made a 28-yard catch on from projected starting signal-caller Beau Pribula during the first series of the scrimmage on Saturday. Flores is a player that can play multiple receiver positions.