UVA junior wide receiver Doni Dowling had one catch in 2015, but with Canaan Severin (54 catches) and T.J. Thorpe (23 catches) both graduated, Dowling is a veteran out there now.
“Our group doesn’t have a lot of experience. Dre (Andre Levrone) didn’t play last year because of a back injury. My role wasn’t big last year because I came back in the fifth game of the season due to knee injuries. That’s the most experience that our group has. We have Ryan Santoro, he played a little bit, and he’s been around for a while, but not as many games under his belt. So we don’t have a choice but to bring up the younger guys,” said Dowling, who is recovering from off-season knee surgery, but expects to be available for the season opener Sept. 3 against Richmond.
Dowling didn’t get on the field until Week 5 last year, after showing promise in his freshman season in 2014, catching 17 passes for 141 yards.
The 6’1”, 215-pounder from Richmond (Varina) could be a difference-maker if healthy in 2016, but for the time being, he sees his role as being one focused on “getting the young guys ready.”
“Warren Craft, David Eldridge, they’re a big part of our corps as well. I’m trying to get them acclimated with the plays, trying to build their confidence. Because anything can happen. It’s not set in stone who’s starting. I just want the best out of our corps, so it doesn’t matter who you put on the field. We’re going to do our job,” Dowling said.
Dowling loves the new offensive system being put in place by offensive coordinator Robert Anae, who came to Virginia along with new head coach Bronco Mendenhall.
Anae, who will coach receivers along with holdover Marques Hagans, and the rest of his offensive staff – he also brought along with him from BYU Jason Beck serve as quarterbacks coach, with Mark Atuaia coaching the running backs and Garett Tujague in charge of the offensive line – has also set a different tone in the meeting room.
“First and foremost, they’re very easy to talk to. They never leave you out to dry. I love them more as coaches. They really try to bring the family atmosphere to the team,” said Dowling, who as a receiver also is a big fan of the more wide-open approach to moving the ball that the new staff brings.
“We’re throwing the ball around, still running the ball. It’s more freedom, but it’s still structured. It’s more about knowing concepts than the pro-style-type deal that we had. So it’s easier to pick up definitely for the younger people coming in,” Dowling said.
Story by Chris Graham
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