With new coordinators, new schemes, and an influx of talent and depth, Virginia’s defense aims to get the ship right in 2022.
Matt Riley/Virginia Athletics
As the final installment of our 2022 Virginia Football Preview series, today we’re breaking down UVA defenses.
Check out the breakdown of Virginia’s attacks here. Virginia Football 2022 Season Preview: Offense
Check out the Virginia Special Teams unit breakdown here: Virginia Football 2022 Season Preview: Special Teams
See the breakdown of the 2022 Virginia football schedule here. Virginia Football 2022 Season Preview: Schedule
The 2021 season was one UVA Defense wanted to forget. Of his FBS teams of 130, Virginia ranked 121st in total defense, gaining 466.0 yards per game, and in scoring defense, he ranked 103rd, allowing 31.8 points per game. What should have been a small win given the offensive results, the Cavaliers suffered all losses, losing 48 points to Pittsburgh, 59 points to North Carolina, and 66 points to BYU. Virginia failed to reach opposing quarterbacks, failed to stop runs, missed tackles at an alarming rate, and gave up some big plays all game.
Right now, the Cavaliers are a clean slate, headed into a new season with a big chip on their shoulder. There are many reasons why in 2022 he will have a significant improvement in UVA protection.
From a people standpoint, Virginia has a solid returning starter, a potential breakout star player who didn’t get much playing time last season, and a transfer batch that brings experience, talent and depth. Well put together. defense line.
UVA lost a major contributor in last year’s unit. Specifically Joey Blunt, Nick Grant, Mandy Alonso, Devante Cross, West Weeks and Noah Taylor. But their departure offers an opportunity for some new names to step up and power a resurgence in the Virginia defense. The addition gives the Cavaliers up front a level of depth they haven’t had in years.
The most significant change UVA Defense experienced this year had nothing to do with player personnel. Bronco Mendenhall defensive coordinator Nick Howell headed to Vanderbilt and was replaced by former Air Force defensive coordinator John Luzinski. After spending the past 12 years on his staff coaching the Air Force, including his last four his seasons as a defensive coordinator, Rudzinski has an impressive resume when he joins UVA. In 2020, Luzhinski’s Air Force defense gave up just his 15.0 points per game. This was his third lowest scoring defense in all of college football that season. Last fall, the Falcons ranked No. 4 in the nation in total defense, with just 296.5 yards per game.
Along with other defensive assistants Kevin Downing (defensive tackle), Cullome Cox (defensive back), and former UVA football greats Clint Sintim (linebacker) and Chris Slade (defensive end), Luzinski and company are looking forward to the Virginia Trying to reform the defense to its original state. Team strengths, not weaknesses.
Rudzinski doesn’t say much about his intended scheme for UVA protection. However, from his comments and what Richmond can glean from his game’s released depth chart, Virginia runs his five-defensive his back system. The Cavaliers have several versatile positions on the field that act as hybrids that can shift from linebacker to safety or downlineman to linebacker depending on the situation. I’ll explain more about how it plays a multi-purpose role later.
The combination of new personnel, a new coaching staff, a new defensive plan, and the mentality that the Cavaliers are trying to prove themselves should be a recipe for significant improvement this season.
With that in mind, let’s take a look at Virginia’s defensive roster for the 2022 season:
line of defense
The defensive line could be the strength of the UVA defense in 2022 based purely on the number of players who can line up in the trenches and provide quality reps. Rudzinski and his company want his rotation deep in his lineman defensively. That way he keeps everyone fresh and he always has 3-4 high energy rushers on the line of scrimmage every snap.
Two transfers occupy the defensive end positions on the UVA depth chart. Cam Butler The Miami, Ohio native made her way to the front of the position group early in fall camp. Butler was named her second All-MAC Second to his team in Miami, Ohio, with 53 tackles, 14 tackles for losses, 8 sacks, 3 forced fumbles, 3 quarterback hits, and an interception. According to UVA’s coaching staff, Butler’s work ethic has been outstanding since day one, and he’s expected to be a playmaker throughout the season.
Joining Butler in defense is a transfer to Colombia Paul Akele, wearing Virginia’s number one jersey. Akele was named to the All-Ivy League second team last season and had 42 tackles, nine tackles for losses, five sacks and one forced fumble. Kam Butler and Paul His Akele one-two his punches could be a big problem to counter his offensive tackles this season.
Virginia has some of Mother Nature’s devastating power in the nose tackle spot. Jamel Carter A strong contender for a breakout season in 2022. The 6-foot-2-inch, 313-pound junior started 10 games last year and had 23 tackles. His ability to close gaps is crucial to UVA’s run defense. Devonte Davis, a transfer from South Carolina, is listed as 6 feet 4 inches and 306 pounds. After spending the summer with new UVA strength and conditioning coach Adam Smotherman, Davis said during fall camp that he felt in incredible shape and was excited to build. Reported differences inside the defensive line. Virginia also returns Jr. Orasunkonmi AgungroeA veteran with solid experience who played in 9 games last season.
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in defensive tackle Aaron Faumui When Ben Smiley IIIFaumui initially entered the transfer portal during a coaching change, but decided to return to UVA after meeting with Tony Elliott and the new Virginia coaching staff. appeared in all 12 games last season, recording 23 tackles, 3.5 tackles lost and one sack. As for Ben his Smiley III, he has received a lot of love from his UVA coaching staff as well. As a player ready for the breakout season. Smiley left high school in critical acclaim and received offers from Alabama, Oklahoma, Clemson, Texas A&M, and several other Power Five programs. has dealt with serious injuries and health issues throughout his career, including asthma attacks, but now he appears to be in great shape and is very active both on the field and in the classroom. The coaching staff is very excited about Smiley fulfilling his potential this fall.
The bandit is a versatile position that allows him to return to coverage like a linebacker while also functioning as a fourth down lineman.At That Key Place, Virginia Is Looking To Its Seniors Chico Bennett Jr. and transfer to Michigan State University jack camperThe 6’4″, 252-pound Bennett moved to UVA from Georgia Tech in 2020 but did not appear in any games last season. Loved what he saw from the campers, and John Luzinski didn’t look like he’d made the move given how well the campers have integrated themselves.27 in his last four seasons at Michigan State. A camper’s Big Ten experience going into the game will be invaluable.
linebacker
The MIKE or middle linebacker position sits Virginia’s defensive leader. Nick JacksonA two-time All-ACC selection and member of the preseason watchlists for the Bednarik Award (Best Defensive Player) and Butkus Award (Best Linebacker), Jackson is back after leading the ACC with 117 tackles last season. I came. Virginia has high hopes for Jackson this season, and that goes for his linebacker Jr. as well. Josh Ahern, another breakout contender for next season. Ahern has appeared in 22 games over the past three years, including his 11 games last season, and in 2021 he has recorded 25 tackles and his 2.5 tackles in a loss. After losing him in a Virginia Tech game last year, the Cavaliers are hoping he’ll make a big leap this year.
Sophomore james jackson Start on the WILL or weakside inside the linebacker position. At 6-foot-3 and 228 pounds, Jackson, his sophomore, has a strong fall his camp and UVA’s coaching staff love what he brings in the middle of defense. Joining Jackson on WILL is Junior. hunter stewartrecorded 37 tackles, 3.5 tackles and 2 sacks last season, Sean Perryappeared in seven games in 2021.
secondary
As part of John Rudzinski’s 5-defensive back scheme, the usual two cornerbacks and two safeties are complemented by the SPUR position, a hybrid player who can fill the roles of both safety and linebacker. 5th grade Darius Bratton Fixed as a SPUR starter. A veteran who appeared in 43 games of his career, Bratton ranked tied for fifth on the team with 26 solo tackles last season.
Junior chase chalmers It is also listed on SPUR. Chalmers had a strong offseason, including a notable performance in the spring games, leading all players with 10 total tackles.
In the cornerback spot, Virginia goes with Jr. Fentrel Cypress II graduated on the left Anthony Johnson on the right. Cypress started six games last year, intercepting a game in North Carolina and defeating Sam Howell. Anthony Johnson is the team’s biggest personality, but he brings it to the field as well. Johnson started his career with Louisville in 2017 and is a very experienced player who has appeared in 45 games in his career, having 3 interceptions, 9 passes defended and 44 tackles of his own last season. Achieved. Sophomore Elijah Gaines Back Left and Senior Cypress Jayron Baker Back up Johnson on the right.
Two sophomores from Virginia occupy safe positions on the Foos.Starting with Free Safety Rex LongA native of Woodbridge, Virginia, he played eight games as a true freshman.The safest starter is from Charlottesville Jonas SankerAlso won a lot of playing time as a first year, and participated in 9 games last fall. Both Sanker and Long impressed defensive back coach Curome his Cox during camp, earning them starting jobs in August. Sophomore Donovan Johnson Back up long with free safety while Sanker’s powerful safety backup is senior Antonio Clary, made 42 tackles last season. Expect to see Clary quite a bit on the field as well.
Conclusion
After a disastrous 2021 season, you have no choice but to improve your UVA protection. With an arsenal of Virginia’s return to offense, even a modest improvement on defense should make this fall a more successful season. Scheme adjustments could see the Cavaliers experience more than a modest defensive improvement in 2022.
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