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20 CAVALIER CORNER pect, the No. 25 player in Louisiana and the No. 50 running back in the nation. A similar style runner as Ellis, Hollins rushed for 1,645 yards and 33 touchdowns as a senior while leading University Lab to its second straight state championship. In the title game, he carried it 27 times for 237 yards and four scores. Jackson is a legacy (his dad, Doug, is a UVA graduate) and three-star linebacker from The Lovett School in Atlanta. He com- piled 95 stops, 10 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks during his senior year, and was listed as the No. 64 recruit in the Peach State and the No. 24 inside linebacker nationally by Rivals. Coming off such a great season on the field, Mendenhall believes there are big things ahead for the Hoos. "We want more," Mendenhall said. "We want better. We want greater than, not equal to. We're hopeful that 19's class was better than 18, and 18 better than 17. … The cur- rent players really choose if they allow this group to take their place or not. "But the world is full of competition, right? We just happen to have a great culture and support and camaraderie and teamwork that ends up bringing out the best in every- one. It'll be fun to see how it plays out." After beating South Carolina 28-0 in the Belk Bowl to wrap the 2018 season, the Cavaliers went into winter conditioning knowing two things. First, they have to find a way to replace a number of key contributors. Second, they will return a quar- terback who has a chance to be the best in the ACC's Coastal Division. That was the backdrop against which UVA began spring practice in late March. Safety Juan Thornhill, wide re- ceiver Olamide Zaccheaus, run- ning back Jordan Ellis, outside line- backer Chris Peace, cornerback Tim Harris and offensive tackle Marcus Applefield are some of the players Virginia must replace this fall, and a good step toward finding the heir apparent at those respective spots comes during the spring. Beginning March 25, the Wahoos were set to practice each Monday, Wednesday and Friday leading into the Spring Festival April 27. The big gest plus is the re- turn of rising fourth-year signal- caller Bryce Perkins. The 6-3, 210-pounder had an incredible first year on Grounds. He was one of just two players nationally — along with Heisman Trophy winner Kyler Murray of Oklahoma — to pass for 2,600 yards and rush for 900, and he finished No. 1 in the ACC and 13th in the country with 206 points accounted for. He also racked up 3,603 yards of total offense, which was good enough for third in the league and 21st in the country. Not only did Perkins set the UVA single-season record for total offense, but he also set the school's single-season record with 34 touchdowns responsible for and tied the single-season mark for 100-yard rushing games by a quarterback (four). Following offseason surgery on the injured pinky of his throwing hand, Perkins was cleared for contact just before the start of spring ball. "He really ended up being a de facto captain a year ago just by his performance even though he wasn't officially elected," head coach Bronco Mendenhall said prior to the first practice. "Over the course of the year, it really became clear that Bryce was one of the leaders on our team and one of the most im- pactful players, if not the most impactful. It's great to have Per- kins back, especially at that position. When your quarterback has leadership, has experience and has play-making ability, that really helps." Having Bryce Hall back on the other side of the ball is also a key storyline for UVA this spring. He finished as one of the nation's best corners and was first- team All-ACC at that position while also being named a second-team All-American by the Walter Camp Foundation and the Football Writ- ers Association of America. Aside from the two Bryces, the Wahoos have holes to fill. And with a number of injuries to returning starters and contributors — in- cluding safeties Joey Blount and Brenton Nelson, wide receiver Joe Reed, and offensive linemen Dillon Reinkensmeyer and Chris Glaser — the task will be tall. With 11 Cavaliers expected to miss spring ball before returning in the fall and several others — including defensive end Mandy Alonso plus wideouts Terrell Jana and Ugo Obasi — limited but par- ticipating, younger players will be asked to step into key spots and have the benefit of getting a lot of reps. Replacing Zaccheaus may be the toughest ask. The school's all-time leading receiver (and sixth best in ACC history with 250 career catches), Zaccheaus leaves a mas- sive hole in Virginia's offensive production with his departure. Rookies a year ago, Tavares Kelly and Billy Kemp seem most suited for the job. But it will be on the offensive line, where UVA added Penn State graduate transfer Alex Gellerstedt in the offseason, that the Cavaliers must do the heaviest lifting. Gone are Applefield, Jake Fieler and RJ Proctor from last year's rotation. And on defense, the cornerback spot opposite Hall will be especially intriguing with young guys like Darrius Bratton and Jaylon Baker likely getting a lot of reps this spring. Even after these practices, it will be UVA's defensive front that is set to get a massive upgrade come summer with the arrival of four-star Rivals100 defensive tackle Jowon Briggs as well as in-state three-star defensive tackle Ben Smiley. — Brad Franklin REPLACING KEY CONTRIBUTORS BEGINS IN THE SPRING Rising fourth-year quarterback Bryce Perkins was one of just two players nationally — along with Heisman Trophy winner Kyler Murray of Oklahoma — to pass for 2,600 yards and rush for 900 last season. PHOTO BY MATT RILEY/COURTESY UVA