Cavalier Corner

contribute even more as second-years. Fourth-years Colter Phillips, who is coming off an injury this spring, and Paul Freedman lead the group of tight ends, which was long a strong point of the Cavalier program but offered less production last year (20 receptions for 152 yards and two touchdowns for the entire group). Second-year Jake McGee may also challenge for playing time after a solid spring. OFFENSIVE LINE The Cavs might have two of the best tackles in the country with third-year Morgan Moses and fourth-year Oday Aboushi both making the preseason watch list for the Outland Trophy, given annually to the country's best interior lineman. The rest of line offers more question marks, where Virginia returns starter Luke Bowanko, a third-year, at right guard, but has to replace starters at center and left guard. Third-year Sean Cascarano was atop the depth chart at left guard in the spring while fourth-year Matt Mihalik, who played in every game on special teams last year, will likely get the nod at center. DEFENSIVE LINE London and defensive coordinator Jim Reid seem to have an outside-in philosophy when it comes to the defensive line, loading up on talent on the ends and perhaps even using depth at DE to fill in at the tackle positions. Despite losing sack master Cam Johnson to the NFL Draft, the Cavaliers return third-year Jake Snyder (36 tackles, two stops for loss and one sack) and fourth-year Billy Schautz (28 stops, 6.5 tackles for loss and two sacks), who is returning from a broken leg last season, at the end positions to help provide a pass rush and take some pressure off a young secondary. In addition, incoming first-years Michael Moore and Eli Harold were among the most heralded recruits in the class and could chal- lenge for playing time at defensive end if they don't redshirt. The defensive tackles offer less name rec- ognition, but fourth-year Will Hill (36 tack- les, seven stops for loss and one sack) was among Virginia's most impressive players dur- ing spring drills and will be relied upon to help clog up the middle. LINEBACKERS Fourth-years Steve Greer (103) and LaRoy Reynolds (88) were the team's two leading tacklers last year, combining to make 191 stops in 2011. Second-year Daquan Romero looks to be the front runner for the third starting linebacker spot after playing in 10 games and making 13 tackles last year. Fourth-year Tucker Windle and second-year D.J. Hill are among those who could add depth across the board for the Cavs. SECONDARY Virginia's defensive backfield was hit hard by graduation, with safeties Corey Mosley and Rodney McLeod and cornerback Chase Min- nifield all gone. That trio combined for eight interceptions and all ranked among the Cavs' seven leading tacklers. Demtrious Nicholson was picked on a bit as a first-year playing opposite the All-American Minnifield, but he had some great moments, too, including two interceptions. This year he'll be looked to as a potential shutdown corner. First-year Anthony Harris and third-year Rijo Walker have some big shoes to fill if they win the starting safety jobs. CAVALIER CORNER ◆ AUGUST 2012 ◆ 24

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