Breakout year for Byers?
Jeff White of the Richmond Times-Dispatch offers a promising nugget on former Ragsdale High receiver Emmanuel Byers, whose career at Virginia so far has been underwhelming:
FRESH START: After redshirting in 2003, wide receiver Emmanuel Byers played in Virginia's first three games last season, catching four passes (for 31 yards) and completing one, for 32 yards to wideout Michael McGrew.
And then . . . nothing. Byers, apparently out of favor with his coaches, didn't play in the final nine games, and there was little reason to believe he'd have a significant role in U.Va.'s offense this season. But the 5-9 191-pounder has been one of the team's top performers during training camp and figures to earn a spot in the rotation at receiver.
"His whole game has progressed," U.Va. coach Al Groh said. "It probably would be unfair to Emmanuel to say that it's one thing or the other, but he's a more confident, more active and certainly more productive player. Amongst the players who are having a very good camp, Emmanuel is very much one of them."
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