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Position: WR
Height: 5'11"
Weight: 170
Hometown: Manassas, Va
High School: Osbourn HS
Year: Junior
Dominique Terrell and Darius Jennings both came to Virginia in the 2011 recruiting class, and both were 4 star prospects who had largely been wildcat QBs in HS but were going to play WR for the Hoos. Like Jennings, Terrell's position was up in the air while he was being recruited. Scout even rated him as a 4 star CB, and the #23 CB in the nation. ESPN (#19) and Rivals (#11) rated him as 4 star Athletes. ESPN ranked him the 122nd ranked player in the nation, and Rivals had him 204th.
Because of their similar situations, they will forever be compared to each other. It is for that reason, and really that reason alone, that Terrell is seen as something of a disappointment thus far. On the field, however, they aren't really the same player. While Terrell was ranked as a CB by Scout, Jennings was a WR. That tells you a bit right there. Jennings has a bit more straight-line speed, and was seen as a little bit better WR prospect. Terrell could've been used as a 3rd down/scatback back type, because he has outstanding vision to the hole, and he's very good at running through traffic. Terrell has a bit better change-of-direction ability, and is a better open field runner than Jennings. Terrell also had further to go in learning to play WR than Jennings did.
During his first year, Terrell often looked overmatched. He had just 8 receptions for 59 yards (and one of those was a 29 yard screen pass for a TD in overtime against Idaho. He had a lot of chances, but had trouble getting open and had trouble hanging on to the ball when he saw it. Jennings far outplayed him, and entered the season ahead of Terrell on the depth chart.
The difference in their production last year can largely be explained by the previous sentence. Jennings entered the season ahead of Terrell, and therefore got more opportunities. Terrell, working almost exclusively in the slot, had 38 receptions for 475 yards, good for 12.5 ypc. Those numbers are comparable to Jennings' numbers, and the ypc number is higher (rare for a slot receiver). Late in the season, Terrell was arguably the best WR on the team, with 9 receptions for 129 yards against Miami and with 3 catches for 27 yards against Virginia Tech (second on the team behind Tim Smith; Jennings had 3 for 23 yards).
This year, Terrell enters the season as the 3rd WR and the primary backup to both Jennings and Smith. Terrell will certainly get a lot of reps in 3 WR sets. However, there may not be too many chances for him in more standard sets. Guys like Adrian Gamble and E.J. Scott are going to warrant looks, not to mention the Hoos have talented TEs and a couple of RBs with good receiving skills. If one of Jennings or Smith goes down for any time, Terrell will be the first guy off the bench, but barring that, he may continue to find the opportunities lacking. As he did last year, he'll have to make the best out of what he gets.
The Hoos seemingly have too many talented WRs on the roster. Terrell, as the third most talented of the group, is a bit out of luck. Next year, however, Terrell will be a starter and could put up some big numbers. Terrell will also be involved in PR and KRs this year.