Cavalier Corner

3. Redshirt Fourth-Year Defensive Tackle David Dean — The 6-1, 295-pounder switched numbers going into last season and his production stepped up a notch. He finished 2014 with 40 tackles, eight stops for loss, one sack, one fumble recovery and one interception. Dean was a force in the middle of UVa's defense and allowed the Cavaliers to have not only one of the best past rushes in the league, but also one of the nation's best against the run (No. 20, 120.7 rushing yards allowed per game). The Virginia Beach, Va., native was an All-ACC honorable mention selection in 2014, but goes into his final year in orange and blue with momentum after sharing the Iron Cavalier Award this spring for performance and dedication in the weight room. 4. Fourth-Year Defensive Back Maurice Canady — A choice for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy preseason watch list, the 6-2, 185-pound Richmond, Va., native will be looking to build on an All-ACC second-team season in 2014. While he at least explored the idea of heading to the NFL, his stock should be even higher after one more year in the secondary at UVa. While he's likely going to spend most of his time at cornerback, the return of Demetrious Nicholson for a fifth year means Tenuta can use Canady in a variety of ways, including teaming him up with Bland- ing at safety. 5. Second-Year Defensive Tackle Andrew Brown — This might seem like a lofty spot for a player who was credited with just four tackles in his debut season, but there's no doubt that the player Brown was last fall and the one he is now are vastly different. The 6-4, 290-pound lineman is in the best shape of his life and looked the part of a former five-star this past spring. Named a preseason third-team All-ACC selection by Phil Steele's 2015 College Football Preview, there's a high level of expectation that he's going to have a big year in the heart of UVa's defensive line.

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