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cavalier profile DREQUAN HOSKEY Fourth-Year • Football/Track & Field DreQuan Hoskey has certainly made his mark on the Virginia football program, starting 10 games in the defensive backfield each of the past two seasons and making some huge plays on special teams, but the gridiron isn't the only place where he excels. Despite taking some time off to focus on spring football drills, Hoskey is one of the ACC's top hurdlers and one of a handful of Cavalier football players also competing in track and field. Hoskey — who was the Virginia Group AAA state champion and a top-five national finisher in the 55-meter hurdles in high school — came to UVa with the intention of competing in both sports, but when he was awarded a football scholarship during his first year his focus shifted mainly to football. But he hasn't abandoned the track completely, rejoining the team this winter for the indoor season. In his first meet, he ran the 60-meter hurdles in a time of 8.06 seconds, good for fifth best in UVa history. Once spring football is over, he hopes to get back to track in time to qualify for the ACC Outdoor Championships. "Right now, I'm just focused on spring ball," said Hoskey, who compiled 83 tackles and one interception in his first three seasons on the gridiron. "But once that's over I'll be back out there on the track. It works out pretty well because during the winter we're just lifting for football, and during the afternoon I was able to get out there and run for track." Since head coach Mike London and his staff took over the Virginia football program, there's been a mutually beneficial relationship between the two teams, and Hoskey said training for track and football go hand in hand. "I like the fact that Coach London will let us do two sports and track helps us," he said. "We go right into spring ball feeling good, already in shape and feeling flexible, and that's a good thing." — Shane Mettlen ◆ Photo by Matt Riley/courtesy UVa i30.CP-Drequan Hoskey.indd 53 4/2/14 9:36 AM