CHARLOTTESVILLE—U.Va. opened spring practice Wednesday afternoon, and spectators included former players Fontel Mines and Ryan Best.

Mines, a Hermitage High graduate, played wide receiver in his four seasons at Virginia.  But Mines isn’t fast for a wideout, and he’ll have a better chance of sticking with an NFL team as a tight end, former U.Va. receivers coach John Garrett told him.

The 6-4 Mines weighs about 235 pounds, and he has the frame to carry at least 250.

Best, a reserve safety in 2005 and ‘06, was among the U.Va. players not invited back for a fifth year.  He plans to graduate this spring and then enroll at Division I-AA Liberty, where he’ll see plenty of familiar faces.

The Flames’ coach is former U.Va. assistant Danny Rocco.  Among the former Cavaliers who’ll be at Liberty this season are Best, offensive linemen Eddie Pinigis and Marshall Ausberry and linebacker/defensive end Vince Redd, and others may join them, including defensive lineman Chris Johnson, wideout Bud Davis and defensive backs Philip Brown and Robbie Catterton.

Liberty, which went 1-10 in 2005, improved to 6-5 in ‘06, its first season under Rocco, who was named the Big South Conference’s coach of the year.