Tag Archives: Phillip Sims

Phillip Sims during practice at Virginia. (AP photo by Steve Helber)

Phillips Sims still is cheering for Alabama, even though he transferred out of the program to Virginia this summer.

According to the Roanoke Times, Sims told reporters he still tries to catch Alabama games when he can. He watched “bits and pieces” of the Crimson Tide’s 21-17 win over LSU and enjoyed seeing AJ McCarron lead the comeback drive in the last minutes.

“This is a guy who I feel should be in the conversation for the Heisman Trophy,” said Sims, who was McCarron’s backup last year.

Sims added, “That’s A.J. all the way. I’ve seen him do it many times in practice and seen him do it in some big-time games.”

Sims went through spring practice with Alabama before transferring. He received a waiver from the NCAA, which allows him to play this season for Virginia rather than sit out a season.

He has started four games for the Cavaliers, who are 3-6. In Saturday’s 33-6 win over North Carolina State, he split time with Michael Rocco and completed 8 of 10 passes for 115 yards and a touchdown. He also ran a yard for a touchdown.

Sims has thrown for 1,115 yards and eight touchdowns while tossing only four interceptions.

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Virginia quarterback Phillip Sims (14) hands the ball off to Kevin Parks during the second half of the Cavaliers’ 41-38 loss to Louisiana Tech. (AP photo by Steve Helber)

Alabama transfer Phillip Sims is expected to get his first collegiate start at quarterback when Virginia plays Duke on Saturday.

Sims has played off the bench in each of Virginia’s five games and has completed 28 of 46 passes for 340 yards, five touchdowns and no intereceptions. He entered last week’s 41-38 loss to Louisiana Tech in the second half in relief of starter Michael Rocco, who had thrown three interceptions.

Sims tossed a pair of fourth-quarter scoring passes as the Cavaliers nearly rallied from a 17-point deficit. Virginia is 2-3 and lost three in a row. Rocco has started 18 straight games and helped lead the Cavs to a Chick-fil-A Bowl appearance last season.

Sims spent last year as AJ McCarron’s backup at Alabama. He even played in this past spring’s A-Day Game, completing 9 of 12 passes for 135 yards and a pair of touchdowns.

He transferred back to his home state of Virginia because of family problems and petitioned the NCAA to become eligible immediately. The NCAA granted his petition, and the redshirt sophomore was able to play this season.

We have three links about Sims and his chance this week. Just click here, here and here.

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Phillip Sims during practice at Virginia. (AP photo by Steve Helber)

Head coach Mike London said experience made the difference, as he is sticking with Michael Rocco, who started last year.

“It became apparent that Michael has the best grasp of the offense right now,” London told reporters today, according to The Associated Press. “He’s done nothing to lose his position. He’s improved. We talked earlier about his leadership, his knowledge of the offense, so he’s put himself in position to be the guy right now.”

Sims was AJ McCarron’s top backup at Alabama last year but transferred to Virginia to be closer to family. He petitioned the NCAA to become eligible immediately, and that was approved. Sims is listed as No. 2 on the Virginia quarterback depth chart.

“To expect him to know the whole offense by the time the season started, I don’t think that would be fair on him,” London told reporters. “He knows enough of the offense, enough of the concepts that we use and we understand that his situation will be kind of on-the-job training.”

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FS Carolinas examines Virgnia’s quarterback race, which includes Alabama transfer Phillip Sims.

Sims left the Crimson Tide to move closer to his ailing father back home in Virginia. Sims didn’t start at Alabama, but FS Carolinas expects him to compete for the QB job with the Cavaliers … and eventually win it:

But even with Sims’ so-so numbers a year ago of 18-for-28 passing for 163 yards, two interceptions and four sacks, it’s difficult to imagine him sitting well into the season. (Michael) Rocco is the quarterback for now, but the Sims era may be just around the bend.

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