Lauren Yevak,WINA Sports-
After UNC beat UVA in a heartbreaker last fall, Thorpe has caught some flack for his winning catch which gave the ‘Heels the win, 28-27. But, after the spring season and summer training, he’s fitting in seamlessly with the Cavaliers. When asked what factored into his move to Virginia for his final season, TJ offered a warm response. Even though Coach London entered the recruiting field late in the game for the WR, he made a lasting impression on Thorpe and his family. “Coach London was one of the only coaches other than UNC’s who came in and spoke about his program and what he could do and not about what was going to happen elsewhere. That level of confidence and humility was something we’ve always admired.”
The new weapon on UVA’s offense has already started to establish relationships with the players, including quarterback Matt Johns. Both Thorpe and Johns are competitors who want their name called in the big moments. Having a QB and a WR who both work to get the job done 100 percent of the time will be vital for the Hoos this fall. “For me and Matt, it was really a match. We hit it off, since day one.”
Team chemistry in tact, Thorpe addressed the one of the trends of UVA football in years past. In the 2014 season, the Cavs consistently played in close matchups, leading in 9 of 12 games, yet fell behind to only win 5. Thorpe says that complacency is what has kept the Hoos from converting all of those games into wins. “A lot of times UVA has the lead, and instead of stomping out the other team, the let up on the gas pedal. Everybody knows if you let a lesser team stick around long enough, they’ll start building confidence against you.”
TJ is confident that that complacency will not persist through the 2015 season. The mentality is to come out strong, but even more, to not give in when it gets tough. They want to bear down and get it done. As a veteran in the game, Thorpe will certainly be a sparkplug for that mindset.
Thorpe spoke about what he can bring to the field to contribute to those game-clinching moments that take grit and perseverance. “Any opportunity I have to change the game, I need. I’ve got to have it.” With regards to returning punts and kicks, Thorpe loves the idea of putting points on the board without even having the offense of the field. As a natural runner, being able to score on those single plays is a way Thorpe can change the momentum in UVA’s favor. Also very team minded, Thorpe notes that, regarding returns, he has the goal to reward the defense and make things easier for the offense.
A welcome edition to the Cavalier football, Thorpe is excited to play this year’s schedule. “That’s why we come to play college football—to play the best of the best every week. In order to get to the level of top teams, we have to play who they play.”
The lights are on in Charlottesville, and TJ Thorpe is ready to hit the field. Using the newest cheer in his vocabulary, Thorpe is certainly all-in with a “Go Hoos.”
