'08 VA TE Rod Wheeler (Virginia Verbal)

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Rod Wheeler



Tight end / defensive end
Highland Springs (VA) Highland Springs

Height: 6-foot-4
Weight: 240 lbs
Forty: 4.7 secs
2007 stats: 35 receptions, 487 yards 5 touchdowns

Daily Progress, 12/12/07

Virginia gained its 16th commitment for the Class of 2008 earlier today when Highland Springs tight end Rod Wheeler picked the Cavaliers over offers from Syracuse, Richmond and William & Mary.

Wheeler, who stands at 6-foot-4 and 240 pounds, received an offer from Virginia earlier this month and elected to make his decision while the offer remained open - the Cavaliers have only three or four spots remaining vacant for the class.

Times Dispatch, 12/12/07

The signing period opens in February. Not since 1999 has a Springer signed with the Cavaliers for football.

Wheeler, whose father, Rod Wheeler, played basketball for Virginia Tech, said he also had scholarship offers from Syracuse, Connecticut, Richmond and William and Mary.

Daily Progress, 12/13/07

Wheeler, who boasted offers from Syracuse, Richmond and William & Mary, could have gambled by waiting on additional offers from Connecticut or North Carolina. Both, he felt, would have presented scholarships had he made official visits.

But after a private meeting with Virginia coach Al Groh two weeks ago and discussions with offensive coordinator Mike Groh during an in-home visit earlier this week, Wheeler knew his decision.

Daily Press, 12/13/07

"Rod is an athletic kid that doesn't necessarily fit the stereotype of a tight end," Burton said. " ... He's a big-time receiving threat."

That would seem to be a perfect fit for a school that touts itself as "Tight End U" in its game notes.

Virginia features tight ends prominently in its offense and has produced several high-profile talents at the position, with current Pittsburgh Steeler Heath Miller being among the most notable. This season, three of the Cavs' top five receivers were tight ends. Jonathan Stupar had 344 yards on 37 catches, Tom Santi had 402 yards on 33 catches and John Phillips caught 17 passes for 193 yards. The three combined for six of U.Va.'s 12 receiving touchdowns.

"A tight end would be crazy not to be highly interested in U.Va.," Burton said.

Roanoke Time, 12/13/07

When Virginia got its first commitment from a Highland Springs football player in nine years, it came from the son of a former Virginia Tech athlete.
....

The younger Wheeler had 35 receptions for 482 yards and five touchdowns this season in a spread offense that featured four wide receivers. He is expected to be a slight end or slot receiver for the Cavaliers.

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