When Bronco Mendenhall agreed to become Virginia’s head coach during the offseason, it meant the Cavaliers would be shifting back to a 3-4 defense as a result. All teams, of course, use varying fronts as part of their defensive scheme – UVA will be no different in that regard – but Mendenhall’s “core alignment” is a 3-4.
As fans will remember from the Al Groh era, to make the 3-4 work, you have to have talented defensive linemen and a stout nose tackle in particular. Luckily for Mendenhall, he thinks he has inherited the perfect candidate for the role in his first season with the Hoos. The new coach has been pleased with Donte Wilkins since the start of spring practice, which wraps up on Saturday at 4 p.m. at Scott Stadium. (The Spring Football Festival begins at 2 p.m. with football activities at approximately 4 p.m.)
“When you have a 3-4 defense, the nose tackle is, if not the Most Valuable Player, certainly one of the most valuable players on your entire team,” Mendenhall said. “Donte just happened to be here, hungry for an opportunity, and physically and mentally ready for that opportunity to match our system. He’s had not just a solid spring, but an exceptional spring in terms of what he’s doing not only on the field but in terms of leadership.”
Wilkins, of course, has been part of the defensive tackle rotation since arriving in Charlottesville as he played alongside David Dean, Eli Harold, Mike Moore, and others up front. The Cavaliers shifted fronts throughout his first three seasons, playing at times in 3-3-5 alignments that could be similar for the defensive line at least in formation to Mendenhall’s defensive plans. Responsibilities naturally will be different with the new scheme and personnel in new roles.
Wilkins enters his senior season with 10 starts and 33 appearances in his career. He has tallied 42 tackles, including 5.5 tackles for loss (1 sack) along with 1 forced fumble, and 1 fumble recovery. Mendenhall has said the depth chart is thin on the defensive line with Andrew Brown, Mark Hall, Andre MIles-Redmond, and Steven Wright among the names that could be in the mix. Still, Wilkins is the leader of the pack this spring.
“I would love to have five, six more defensive linemen just like him,” Mendenhall said. “He’s really kind of setting the standard for what we’d be looking for in the future at that spot.”
