Cavalier Corner is the publication just for UVa sports fans!
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/174129
that. I was ready to challenge for the job." There were doubts, though. Watford admits It took some time for the big picture to sink that in the days immediately after being asked in and, most importantly, for Watford to find to redshirt, he wondered, "Why me?" He was that he had the faith in London and the program down but he wouldn't allow himself to stay to trust that he was in the right hands. there. "It really helped me grow and mature as a "You don't come here to sit the bench, you man," Watford explained. "It made me realize know?" Watford said. "You want to play. You who I am. It brought the best out of me, and I'm want to be out there with your teammates. But actually so thankful that it did happen and that you have to believe in everyone, in the coaches, Coach London decided to redshirt me because I in God. I just believed in Coach London and he learned so much. I learned so much from sitting didn't give up on me. Everything just worked out last year." itself out." Watford's own faith also played an imporA lot changed in Charlottesville after the tant role in not just his accepting Cavaliers went 4-8 last seawhat his coaches were asking, "Last year made son. Gone are five coaches, all but also in embracing the chalbut one of which were asked lenge of being the scout team's me who I am. It to leave. UVa welcomed three quarterback week after week, made me rethink new coordinators this spring practice after practice. as two familiar everything. It made as well ACC head coachfaces: a "I thank God every day for former turned that experience," he said. "I me appreciate tight ends coach and a new just stuck with God's plan, and everything. And it wide receivers coach. Both Tom I knew that if I worked hard, I made me hungry." O'Brien andatMarques Hagans would have the opportunity to have history Scott Stadium. Watford show my talents. Thankfully, But it was Hagans, a graduthat's exactly what happened. I ate assistant prior to this season wanted to make sure I helped the team in the when he was promoted to full-time assistant, ways I could, and I think I did that." who helped Watford out a great deal. This is Watford said that while Rocco and Sims took where the "family" comes in. part in the quarterback carousel in 2012, he "Having him around, it's been so imporstayed grounded. He worked each practice as if tant," Watford said of Hagans, his first cousin. it was a real game, routinely giving the defense "He's been there every step of the way. He went a good look via the scout team, and approached through something really similar, you know. He every session like it was an opportunity to helped me refocus myself and find that hunger shine. That grind paid off even before Rocco and drive to get better and practice to the fullannounced following this past season that he'd est. He wouldn't let me give up just because I be transferring and Sims was ruled academiwasn't playing." cally ineligible in the summer. Hagans was a standout receiver/quarterback "I wouldn't have gotten to where I am if it for UVa with his name scattered about in the hadn't been for Coach London being the type record books. Following his fourth-year season of man and leader he is," Watford said. "And I in 2005, he left Charlottesville for the NFL, appreciate the faith he's showing in me now." where he would catch passes rather than throw