Wahoo Central Podcasts

Wahoo Central Podcast with Mitchell Melton

One of the most versatile running backs in UVA history, Alvin Pearman was also a serious student. After his NFL career ended, he earned a master's and Ph.D. at Vanderbilt, and he's now an assistant professor at Stanford.

Four games into his UVA career, graduate transfer Jacari White is already a fan favorite at John Paul Jones Arena. The 6-foot-3 White, who starred at North Dakota State, is averaging 9.5 points per game and shooting 40.9 percent from 3-point range.

One of the top young tennis players in the world, UVA sophomore Rafael Jodar has won three ATP Pro Challenger tournaments this year. Jodar, who's from Madrid, Spain, was named the ITA National Rookie of the Year as a Virginia freshman in 2024-25.

Former UVA running back Mike Hollins, who survived the November 2022 shooting that took the lives of three teammates, continues to inspire with his indomitable spirit. He's working with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and coaching football at the Covenant School in Charlottesville.

In Steve Swanson's first 25 seasons as its head coach, UVA women's soccer advanced to the NCAA tournament 24 times. The No. 7 Hoos are locks to return to the NCAAs this fall, and Swanson's next win will be his 500th in 36 seasons overall as a head coach.

With a 6-1 record, UVA football is off to its best start in since 2007. Tailback Mikell Simpson, who's back in his hometown of Harrisburg, Pa., was one of the many standouts on the '07 team, which won nine games and played in the Gator Bowl.

Perseverance has marked the college career of UVA tight end Sage Ennis, who's bounced back from two serious knee injuries. Ennis, who left Clemson with two degrees, in its his second year at Virginia, where he's tied for the team lead with three touchdown catches this season. 

Now in his second full season as UVA's head field hockey coach, Ole Keusgen has held several positions in the program since 2015. His record as the Wahoos' leader is 26-7, and his current team is 8-0 overall and ranked No. 2 nationally.

Shannon Wells in her fifth year as head volleyball coach at UVA, which opens ACC play this weekend with two matches at John Paul Jones Arena. 

A fourth-year student in the McIntire School of Commerce, Umberto Pelà is his second year as one of the UVA men's soccer team's captains.

Almost from the day she arrived on Grounds in 2020, Laney Rouse has been a defensive pillar for the Virginia women's soccer team. Now pursuing a master's degree in the UVA School of Medicine, Laney has helped the Hoos get off to a strong start this season.

Joanna Hardin is heading into her 10th season as head softball coach at the University of Virginia, which will host the ACC tournament at Palmer Park in May.

One of the greatest quarterbacks in UVA history, Matt Schaub played in the NFL for 17 years before retiring. He's now part of the announcing team for radio broadcasts of Cavalier football games.

A third-team All-ACC selection, shortstop Eric Becker led Virginia in hitting (.368) and RBIs (52) in 2025, and his decision to remain a Cavalier was great news for new head coach Chris Pollard.

The greatest kick-returner in UVA history, Joe Reed played for the NFL's Chargers in 2020. He's now back in the Charlottesville area—working, coaching and pursuing an MBA.

A rising sophomore at UVA, Leah Hayes won five gold medals for the United States swim team at the recent World University Games in Berlin. Hayes, who's from Sugar Grove, Ill., helped the Virginia women's team win its fifth consecutive NCAA title in 2024-25.

After missing last season while recovering from an injury, guard Jillian Brown is healthy again and eager to help the Hoos in 2025-26. Brown, who began her college career at Northwestern, is from Grand Rapids, Mich.

Of the seven new transfers in Ryan Odom's program, graduate student Malik Thomas arrived on Grounds with perhaps the impressive credentials. The 6-foot-5 guard averaged 19.9 ppg for San Francisco in 2024-25 and made the All-WCC first team.

A 6-foot-7 forward from Los Angeles, graduate student Devin Tillis transferred to UVA from UC Irvine this spring. He was named to the All-Big West second team in 2024-25.