CB Donavon Platt figures to be an integral part of UVa's secondary this season. Connections to the staff helped bring the Army transfer to Charlottesville.
Virginia added a large group of defensive backs in the transfer portal, and were aggressive in locking down their top targets this spring. One of those targets emerged when Army cornerback Donavon Platt entered the portal following spring practice.
A North Carolina native, Platt was a highly sought after transfer coming from West Point, and UVa got involved right away. Luckily for the Hoos, two coaches on UVa’s staff already knew Platt a bit: Defensive line coach Kevin Downing tried to recruit Platt to Navy and running backs coach Keith Gaither was on the staff at Army before coming to Charlottesville.
“Coach Downing approached me first; I still had both of their numbers saved,” he said of the two coaches. “I knew what it was as soon as he called. He’ll tell you I was kind of iffy at first, but I finally answered the phone and had some good conversations with him and really was able to build that relationship even more than we already had.”
According to Platt, he chose UVa over Baylor, Mississippi State, NC State and North Carolina, who came in late in the process. So far, he’s had no regrets about his decision to come to Charlottesville to play for Tony Elliott and Co.
“I’ve heard horror stories about the transfer portal and how you go to a team where there’s so many guys that are selfish and try to do stuff just for them. Here, Coach (Elliott) really did a good job picking the right guys,” Platt explained. “And that’s huge when you talk about bringing in transfers that really want to build those relationships. Because at the end of the day, that’s what’s going to win games, having those relationships and knowing the people you’re going to war with on a day-to-day basis. So it’s been easy.”
Platt knew several coaches before he even spoke to UVa, and since he has arrived in Charlottesville, his relationships with the staff have continued to grow, while he’s also built bonds with his new teammates.
“That’s something that was huge for me in my decision to leave,” Platt said. “Being able to go somewhere that you do have relationships. Obviously it’s a business but you want to know that people care about you as well.”
Platt earned a starting role on Army’s defense last year, starting all 14 games at cornerback. In his second season at West Point, Platt picked off a pair of passes, including one from his current teammate, Chandler Morris. He and Army were one of very few teams that could slow down the North Texas offense last year, holding the Mean Green to just three points in a 14-3 win. Platt is making sure his new quarterback doesn’t forget it, either.
“I give him an earful every time,” Platt said about picking off Morris.
Platt also has some common ground with his new defensive coordinator, John Rudzinski, and his new position coach, Curome Cox. Rudzinski and Cox came to UVa from Air Force, yet another service academy, where the institution’s expectations are a bit unique. Platt has taken to the teachings of Rudzinski and Cox, and understands the message they are trying to get across to the group.
“It takes an unselfish bunch to come together and really play a role, whatever it is, and do your job,” Platt said of the coaching from Rudzinski and Cox, and what they’ve emphasized in camp. “That’s something I think we’ll be able to do well and attracted me here.They’re very big on discipline which is huge in this game.”
UVa has competition across the secondary, and although he was locked into one position at his last stop, Platt believes he has the versatility to play multiple spots on the defense.
“At Army I strictly played on the outside. Here, Coach Cox is a big proponent of being a defensive back. And being able to play multiple positions and that’s how he teaches it,” the junior defensive back explained. “We try to learn every position on the field and that’s different for me but it’s something that’s uncomfortable but that’ll help me grow. It’s something I’m excited about, just to go out and be the best I can be. Coach (Cox) is going to put the best five on the field.”
Platt is one of a large group of defensive backs that only arrived at UVa a few months ago, and they’re already approaching their first game in orange and blue. Luckily for Platt and the rest of the room, the group has gotten along well and have worked together to learn the playbook and compete for playing time in a constructive way.
“It’s been cool. All the guys that came in are really good guys and open minded and willing to mesh,” Platt said of arriving at UVa with a big group of fellow DBs. “Their egos are not to the point where they don’t want to learn, and be stuck up, frankly. It’s been nice to spend time with each other, even outside of football.”
One thing Platt certainly brings to Charlottesville is an understanding of the importance of a late-season rivalry game. UVa has struggled against rival Virginia Tech this century and will hope to turn that around when the Hokies come to Charlottesville after Thanksgiving. Platt played in two Army/Navy games, one of the most high-profile rivalries in sports, and understands what a game like that is all about.
“I think the main thing is knowing that you’re fighting for your state,” Platt said of the Commonwealth Cup. “And that’s the thing that you have to have pride with every time you go out there. But you also realize it’s another game, it’s another game on the schedule, so not taking it as something bigger than it is, but you have to have an extra edge and a certain mentality going into those kinds of games.”
Category: General Sports
