Three More Virginia Football Players Earn Their Scholarships

Last week, Virginia Cavaliers’ CJ Epps earned a full ride scholarship for the year. But he’s not the only one who’s been working his tail off this offseason. The coaching staff announced on Sunday afternoon that three more Hoos would be receiving full rides for the year: junior ILB Reed Kellam, senior WR Ben Hogg, and senior LS (and QB) Joe Spaziani. Here was the reaction video via Twitter:

Shortly before needing to jump out of the way of the celebratory mob, head coach Bronco Mendenhall described them as “three players that I think epitomize our program,” each an upperclassman who have earned the right to be put on aid (and in Spaziani’s case, the right to be put back on aid) for the upcoming season.

Kellam made his debut last season after taking a redshirt in 2015 and not appearing in any games in 2016. He appeared in all 13 games last season on special teams.

Hogg redshirted his 2014 season and did not appear in any 2015 games. In 2016, he played in nine of 12 games, both on special teams and as wide receiver. He appeared in four games last year, even starting two of them, before suffering a season-ending injury prior to the Duke game.

Similarly to Hogg, Spaziani redshirted 2014 and did not play in 2015, but appeared in four games in 2016 and all 13 games last year, all as long snapper. Last year, he also recorded one tackle and a fumble recovery during punt cover.

Congratulations to Kellam, Hogg, and Spaziani on earning this good news as we officially head into game week!