With an offense that ranked 113th out of 119 Division I schools, the Virginia defense, ranked 17th in the nation, was the lone bright spot of the football team last year. With 18 starters returning, including 10 of 11 defensive starters, things should get only brighter.
One of the leaders for the defense will be senior captain and defensive end Chris Long. Despite being double-teamed for much of the season, Long still finished as the team leader in quarterback pressures (21) and tackles for a loss (12). He also finished second on the team in sacks (4.5) and fourth among ACC defensive linemen in tackles per game (4.8).
Long is very optimistic about the impact the defense could have this season.
"If we play as a unit -- the sky is the limit for us," Long said. "[It's important that] guys don't play outside of themselves.We don't have any individuals, we play as a unit."
Sophomore Jeffrey Fitzgerald will start at the other defensive end position for the Cavalier defense. Fitzgerald had a standout freshman campaign, averaging 5.3 tackles per game, the most of any freshman in the nation and earning freshman All-American honors. Fitzgerald also led the team in sacks with six.
Fitzgerald will likely receive more attention from opposing teams this season than last, but that can also open up the opportunity for other Cavalier defenders, especially Long, to make tackles. The presence of Fitzgerald should take some of the pressure and double teams off of Long.
"Now I think [Fitzgerald and Long] could help each other because if you want to spend the whole day [trying] to neutralize one or the other, each guy is very capable of taking advantage of that," Virginia coach Al Groh said.
Additionally, Fitzgerald now has an invaluable year of experience under his belt.
"There are not too many things now that are going on now that he has not been exposed to," Groh said.
The middle of Groh's 3-4 defense is manned by senior noseguard Allen Billyk. Billyk has seen increased game action over the past couple of years and is this season's likely starter. He was in on 23 tackles last season, up from eight in 2005.
Virginia returns all of its four starters at linebacker. Junior Jon Copper came from nowhere last season to lead the team in tackles with 81. Named the most improved defensive player in the spring, junior Antonio Appleby returns to the team after placing second last season in tackles with 68.
Hounded by injuries throughout his career, senior Jermaine Dias is finely back on the field. When healthy, Dias has proven effective for the Cavaliers as he has registered seven tackles in a game on three different occasions. He recorded 48 tackles last season.
Junior Clint Sintim played with an injured shoulder last season that limited his abilities. Off-season surgery should improve his play-making skills.
Virginia's secondary is perhaps the defense's biggest question mark.
Junior Chris Cook, who emerged as a solid player last season with 4.8 tackles per game, is one starter at cornerback. The other spot, vacated by graduate Marcus Hamilton, is up for grabs. The two main candidates for the spot are junior Mike Brown, who has four career starts, and sophomore Vic Hall.
Senior Nate Lyles (46 tackles last season) and junior Byron Glaspy (56 tackles last season) are the starting safeties. Senior Jamaal Jackson should also compete for significant playing time.
"The three veteran safeties have led the way in terms of the summer off-season program, just their investment, their involvement in it," Groh said. "They clearly have a strong sense of purpose about them."
Once again the Virginia defense has the potential to carry the team.
"We're very optimistic that this could be a very solid defense for us. We have a lot of returning players who work very well together, who are going to play hard every week and play together."
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