Cavalier Corner is the publication just for UVa sports fans!
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TOP POSITION GROUPS 1. Running Back — Though they lost Kye Morgan to transfer, the backfield will still be deep and talented this season. With redshirt fourth-year Kevin Parks returning plus a healthy second-year Taquan Mizzell to go along with redshirt fourth-year Khalek Shepherd, second-year LaChaston Smith, and newcomer Jordan Ellis, UVa will have plenty of options. In Mizzell, UVa has one of the league's most agile runners. In Parks, one of the toughest. And in Smith and Ellis, the Wahoos have a pair of young, strong backs who can run with power. 2. Secondary — When you don't lose anyone and have a player that led the nation in interceptions, it's hard for any other position group to be much deeper. With fourth-year Anthony Harris at safety and first-year Quin Blanding look- ing to slide into the other starting spot opposite him, it's up to the cornerbacks to make this the best position group on the roster. And with third-year Maurice Canady, a healthy fourth-year Demetrious Nicholson and a reserve talent like fourth-year Brandon Phelps (as well as returning second-year Tim Harris), the secondary should be a real strength for coordinator Jon Tenuta's defense in 2014. It's also a place where newcomers Kirk Garner, Malcolm Cook, and Wilfred Wahee could all shine. 3. Defensive Line — Losing tackle Brent Urban and end Jake Snyder isn't easy, but replacing them with the likes of first-year Andrew Brown, the nation's top defensive tackle recruit, as well as the tweaks Tenuta has made to his defensive ends, sure helps. The Cavaliers return redshirt second-year David Dean and second-year Donte Wilkins at tackle, with redshirt fourth-year Chris Brathwaite (who sat out 2013 due to academic suspension) also rejoining the fold. Meanwhile, third-year Eli Harold leads a talented but thin group at end with third-years Mike Moore, Trent Corney and Kwontie Moore all looking for playing time. With Tenuta likely to use Harold and second-year Max Valles in hybrid roles, this could be a banner year for the D-line. 4. Linebackers — The team's leading two tacklers in 2013 are back in redshirt fourth-year Henry Coley and fellow fourth-year backer Daquan Romero. In addition, Valles is still listed as an outside linebacker while classmate Zach Bradshaw also returns. In addition, the Cavaliers were able to redshirt middle linebacker of the future Micah Kiser last season. In true Tenuta form, this group of linebackers brings a lot of athleticism and play- making ability to the table. It should be a reliable group for the Cavaliers all season long. 5. Wide Receivers — The wideouts might not have had the best showing in 2013, but it's a talented and diverse group going into this season. Not only is second-year Keeon Johnson a much more experienced player, but the Cavaliers still have fourth-years Darius Jennings and Dominique Terrell to complement bigger receivers such as second-year Kyle Dockins, third-year Canaan Severin and redshirt fourth-year Miles Gooch. In addition, the Wahoos redshirted a promising receiver in Andre Levrone (who shined in the spring game) and added one of the na- tion's top receiver prospects in Jamil Kamara in this recruiting class. If there's one thing UVa must have in 2014, it's improved production from its receivers, and this versatile corps should have the tools to provide just that kind of effort. 2014 SCHEDULE Date Opponent (TV) Time Aug. 30 UCLA (ESPN) 12 p.m. Sept. 6 Richmond (ESPN3) 3:30 p.m. Sept. 13 Louisville (ACCN) 12:30 p.m. Sept. 20 at BYU TBA Sept. 27 Kent State TBA Oct. 4 Pittsburgh TBA Oct. 18 at Duke TBA Oct. 25 North Carolina TBA Nov. 1 at Georgia Tech TBA Nov. 8 at Florida State TBA Nov. 22 Miami TBA Nov. 29 at Virginia Tech (ABC/ESPN) TBA