Virginia Football: Cavaliers to backslide in 2018 season

Defense

The Cavaliers defense returned to a 3-4 scheme when Coach Mendenhall was hired and it seems to be the most successful defense UVA has put on the field. Al Groh won three bowl games in that defense and finished with a 59-53 record as head coach.

Mike London switched to the 4-3 for his six year run but Bronco brought his odd front defense to Charlottesville, VA. The Hoos finished 2017 rated the 43rd best defense in the country per the S&P+. However, they’ve lost two first-team All-ACC defenders in inside linebacker Micah Kizer and safety  Quin Blanding. Kizer and Blanding combined for 279 tackles and 13 tackles for loss. Kizer also recorded five sacks while Blanding intercepted four passes a year ago.

Zane Zandier and Jordan Mack will be tasked with manning the middle of the defense. Mack is an easy plug in. In 2017 he made 114 tackles, logged seven tackles for loss and added three sacks too. Zandier was mostly used in the kicking game as a freshman.

Outside linebacker Chris Peace also returns. Peace was a dynamic pass rusher in the 3-4 defense that logged 10.5 tackles for loss and 7.5 sacks off the edge. On the defensive line, Eli Hanback returns at nose tackle where he recorded 58 tackles and 5.5 tackles for loss. Community College transfer Cassius Peat is a 6-foot-4 and 280 pound defensive end in the 3-4 scheme that will need to play right away to replace the loss of starters on the defensive line.

The Back Four

The defensive backfield returns three major playmakers and an experienced safety in Juan Thornhill and Bryce Hall at cornerback, Brenton Nelson at the “Sabre” position and Joey Blount at free safety. Thornhill and Nelson both intercepted four passes and Hall added another pick in 2017. Thornhill logged 63 stops while Nelson made 64 tackles, and Blount and Hall combined for over seventy a year ago. Having an excellent defensive backfield will help Coach Mendenhall’s defense adjust to losing Kizer and Blanding.