Cavalier Corner is the publication just for UVa sports fans!
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24 CAVALIER CORNER is an emphasis for UVA in ways it hasn't been in the last decade plus. "Beat Tech" is a mantra the Wahoos haven't just mentioned once or twice this preseason; it's a driving force behind how they are preparing for the fall and it's plastered all over the McCue Center. TOP POSITION GROUPS Secondary — With Blanding now in the NFL, one would think UVA might be taking a step back of sorts. But this year's crop of defensive backs is exceptional. The Wahoos return a pair of fourth-years in Thornhill and Harris, though they have obviously had very different experiences the past two years. While Thornhill has bounced between corner and safety to give UVA some stability, Harris has missed the past two seasons due to injury. With Harris back at corner, UVA will turn to Hall on the other side. Redshirt second- year Brenton Nelson — last year's ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year — will likely start at the safety spot opposite Thornhill. Second-year Joey Blount will also be in the mix at safety, while redshirt first-year Germane Crowell will compete for playing time at corner. Running Back — All of UVA's primary ball carriers from a season ago return, in- cluding leading rusher Jordan Ellis. But behind the fourth-year back, the Cavaliers have quite a stable. A trio of second-years — Lamont Atkins, PK Kier and Jamari Peacock — all got valu- able experience as rookies and looked much improved in spring. Elsewhere, the Hoos bring in talented Hawai'i native Wayne Tau- lapapa, who signed in the class of 2016 but arrives this summer after doing his two-year Mormon mission. Wide Receiver — With Zaccheaus back, UVA seems better positioned to deal with the losses of Andre Levrone and Doni Dowling from last year's squad. It certainly helps that third-year weapon Joe Reed is back, along with third-year Ha- sise Dubois and redshirt first-year DJ Pratt. It's the group of first-years — headlined by the duo of Tavares Kelly and Ugo Obasi — that will likely garner plenty of attention given their relative shiftiness and their abil- ity to make plays in space. Inside Linebacker — With Mack return- ing and Malcolm Cook back this season amid a move inside, the middle looks to be in good hands. Behind them, the Cavaliers have a pair of young options in second- years Robert Snyder and Zane Zandier. Snyder, who was coming on last fall dur- ing camp before being lost to a pectoral injury, had a really nice spring according to Mendenhall. The Hoos also could look to one of their rookies to make contributions this season. Outside Linebacker — Along with Peace, second-year Charles Snowden re- turns. Beyond just him, though, UVA has a group of outside backers that are versatile, athletic and experienced. Second-year Matt Gahm got some great experience in the spring with Peace be- ing held out due to a hamstring injury. He, second-year Elliott Brown, third-year Chris Moore and first-year Noah Taylor will pro- vide needed depth. TOP IMPACT FIRST-YEARS The way UVA has developed talent the past couple of years, this likely won't be a first-year class that Mendenhall leans on much but a few of them will certainly make contributions, especially given the change in NCAA rules that allows players to play in four games while retaining their redshirt. Wide Receiver Tavares Kelly — The 5-9, 165-pounder is a slot receiver built for the current generation of offensive football. That means he is the guy most likely to make the biggest impact. A small but shifty receiver with plenty of speed to burn, he comes to Virginia from Fort Lauderdale (Fla.) St. Thomas Aquinas following a standout high school career. H-Back Billy Kemp — Speaking of smaller, shiftier receivers, the Highland Springs, Va., product is another of the sort of playmakers that college football teams have been using to a greater extent in recent years. Listed like Zaccheaus as an H-back, the 5-9, 170-pound Kemp — who led the Spring- ers to a state title last year — will likely be used all over the field and will certainly be groomed as the future of the position. Linebacker Javar Garrett — The highest-rated prospect in UVA's 2018 class (No. 14 player in New Jersey and No. 22 After redshirting in 2016, safety Brenton Nelson recorded 64 tackles (two for loss), 10 passes defended and four interceptions en route to being tabbed as the 2017 ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year. PHOTO BY MATT RILEY/COURTESY UVA 2018 FOOTBALL PREVIEW