The questions surrounding the Virginia football team's defense just became more numerous. Two members of the defense who probably would have earned starting roles failed to academically qualify for the upcoming year.
Linebacker Donny Green, who started last season, and defensive end Darryl Sanders, who backed up Patrick Kerney last fall, will be academically ineligible for the 1999 season.
The absence of Green and Sanders creates more problems for an unproven defense. The Cavs lost five starters from last season and three backups--linebacker John Duckett, defensive backs Devon Simmons and Duane Fisher--have been suspended indefinately from the team. All three had different violations of the law.
"I'm very concerned about the defense," Virginia coach George Welsh told The Daily Progress and other media members at the 1999 ACC Football Kickoff. "I'm concerned a lot about bodies and finding some depth."
The academic ineligibility of the duo places two new names into the starting lineup. Moving into the starting role at end will be Ljubor Stamenich, a redshirt sophomore. Stamenich was credited with two sacks last year while playing in a reserve role.
The coaches probably move sophomore Monsanto Pope from the interior of the defensive line to end to help with depth. Johnny Shivers' return from academic suspension makes that move not only possible, but also feasible.
The Cavalier linebacking corps, which has been in the middle of Virginia's solid defense in the '90s, may be the largest question for defensive coordinator Rick Lantz due to a Green's ineligibility.
In addition to the loss of Green, ex-Cavalier Wali Rainer was drafted by the NFL's Cleveland Browns. That puts two new players into the starter role at linebacker. Yubrenal Isabel takes over in the middle for Rainer, while a familiar name steps into Green's slot. Shannon Taylor, who sat out the 1998 season on academic suspension, will start for Green.
The Patrick Henry High School product from Roanoke recorded 44 tackles that included four sacks in his first two seasons as a Cav. Taylor played both linebacker and defensive end before sitting out last year.
Taylor will have to learn to play with fellow outside linebacker Byron Thweatt, who had started with Green last year. Speculation that Thweatt may not play this season due to an injured disc in his back proved not to materialize. Although he sat out the spring with the injury, doctors have cleared him to play.
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