U. Va. quarterback, 3 teammates won’t be enrolled in school this semester

The Virginia football program has had better days.

On the heels of reports Thursday afternoon that popular defensive coordinator Mike London would become head coach at the University of Richmond, U.Va. announced that quarterback Jameel Sewell would not be enrolled in school this semester, putting his status for the 2008 season in question.

Three other players - starting cornerback Chris Cook, reserve linebacker Darnell Carter and reserve receiver Chris Dalton - also won't be enrolled, meaning they will miss offseason conditioning and spring practice, at a minimum.

The potential loss of Sewell, a two-year starter, would have by far the biggest impact in 2008. In 13 games in 2007, Sewell completed 58.8 percent of his passes for 2,176 yards and 12 touchdowns, and also rushed for four touchdowns. Though inconsistent at times, he was at his best in the clutch, emerging as the emotional leader of an offense that put together several late game-winning drives. U.Va. (9-4) had its best record since 2002 and won five games by two or fewer points to set an NCAA record.

Citing privacy laws, U.Va. did not provide further details on the players' status. But Cook did not travel with the team to the Gator Bowl because of academic issues. Sewell missed spring practice in 2006 to attend to academic issues.

Virginia has three other scholarship quarterbacks on the roster. True freshman Peter Lalich played in eight games as Sewell's backup in 2007. Junior Scott Deke appeared in one game and redshirt freshman Marc Verica did not play.

Sewell had been looking forward to 2008.

"It's amazing just how far this team has come. We were 5-7 last year and won nine games this year," Sewell said after a loss to Texas Tech in the Gator Bowl. "It's amazing to see, and we want to try to keep building off of this."

The Richmond Times-Dispatch reported Thursday that the University of Richmond is expected to name London, 47, as its new head coach today or Saturday.

London, the architect of a defense that ranked No. 23 in the nation in 2007, is a 1983 Richmond graduate.