At a time when Virginia might have liked to whittle the candidates for its ball-carrying duties this season, an oft-forgotten figure keeps inserting himself into the conversation.

Fifth-year senior Raynard Horne, with five career rushing attempts to his credit, has caught the eye of new head coach Mike London and his staff.

"I've been very impressed with Raynard Horne," London said. "He had a long run in our scrimmage, he's the first guy down on our punt team and, the first scrimmage, Kris Burd caught a touchdown pass and Raynard basically ran from the backfield and caught and passed him.

"That prompted [the observation], 'Hey, he probably needs to be put in more than just kickoff returns.' He's done a nice job."

Sophomore Perry Jones came out of the spring as the No. 1 tailback and probably is being most challenged by redshirt freshman Dominique Wallace, who missed spring practice following foot surgery.

"He's [Wallace] shown why he started some games last year. He's very talented, himself," London said. "These guys are adopting the role of, 'Hey, I might not be the tailback, but I want to get in the game in some way.' "

Other candidates include fifth-year tailback Keith Payne and sophomore Torrey Mack.

The Cavaliers also have a true freshman, Kevin Parks, who rushed for 10,985 yards in his career at West Rowan (N.C.) High School and was named Parade All-American after the 2009 season.

"He's everything that everybody thought he would be," London said.

But, would the Cavaliers be best-served by having Parks share time with five other tailbacks or might he be a candidate for a redshirt year?

"You just want to say, 'Go run the ball,' " London said, "but, tailbacks also have to block and do other things. We have a decision to make with him. We'll practice Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, so going into Monday, we'll set a depth chart and see who's going to play.

"Kevin's still in the mix, but it's the play of the others that has risen and made this an interesting dilemma."

Keeping close watch

Scrimmages have been closed to the public, but there were clips of UVa's most recent scrimmage in the television show "Virginia Football: The Building of a Program."

Most noteworthy was an interception that sophomore linebacker LaRoy Reynolds returned for a touchdown. Reynolds flashed impressive speed, but the offensive staff shudders whenever fifth-year senior quarterback Marc Verica is intercepted.

Since passing for 200 yards or more in six consecutive games during the 2008 season, Verica has been intercepted eight times in four subsequent starts, without throwing a touchdown pass.

"He's thrown a couple of interceptions where the defense has done a great job of disguising their coverages," London said, "and some where he's just throwing the ball where he shouldn't be throwing it.

"There's more good balls that he's thrown, which is a positive thing, but you'd like to get to the point where you don't throw any interceptions. You've got to read all of the coverages. He's getting better, but until he throws every team situation [without] an interception, that's not good enough."

n London said the offense has been working with four quarterbacks -- Verica and freshmen Ross Metheny, Mike Rocco and Michael Strauss -- but true freshman Miles Gooch has been working with the scout team, with the possibility that he might move to another position for 2011.

Feel-good story

One-time Halifax County quarterback Jacob Hodges, who served as the Cavaliers' manager for the past two seasons, appears to be the front-runner for holding duties.

Hodges, son of former Comets coach James Hodges, completed high school at Mountain View in Stafford and had games where he passed for 321 yards and five touchdowns.

"Our kickers have complete trust in him," London said. "Plus, he was quarterback in high school, so in terms of fake opportunities or mishandling the ball, he's athletic enough that he can roll out. He's been a pleasant surprise. Everybody's got a skill level and his skill is holding the ball."