With All-American Micah Kiser leading the way, Chris Peace coming off a breakthrough 2016 season, and the athleticism and speed of Jordan Mack and Malcolm Cook, we knew the Virginia football linebacking corps had potential heading into the 2017 season. Through three games, this talented group has answered the call for the Cavalier defense.
Cook, a junior who had only played six games for the Hoos prior to this season, led the team in tackles from his outside linebacker spot in the season opening win over William & Mary. Mack, a true sophomore who started most of last season at outside linebacker before moving inside to play the Buck this year, led the team in tackles against Indiana. Kiser led UVA in tackles in last Saturday’s win over UConn, earning Walter Camp National Defensive Player of the Year honors for his performance. Peace, a junior outside linebacker, has played well also, earning a spot on Pro Football Focus’ National Team of the Week for his performance against the Huskies.
Heading into tomorrow night’s matchup with Boise State, linebackers Kiser, Mack, and Cook are 1st, 3rd, and 4th on the team in total tackles. The four linebackers have a combined 10.5 tackles for loss including 7.5 sacks, with Kiser leading the way with 5 sacks.
“The linebacker unit, I think, could be pretty dominant,” Peace said. “I think all four of us have playmaking skills. We’re definitely excited for these next 10 games.”
Kiser, a senior captain and Virginia’s Mike linebacker, sees the potential as well.
“We can still make more plays,” he said. “Jordan Mack, pound for pound, like I always say, he’s the strongest player on the team. He’s one of the fastest on the team. He’s a beast. Malcolm is still getting used to being out there. Chris still finding his way a little bit to make more plays. All four of us, when we get this thing going, the sky’s the limit.”
Coach Bronco Mendenhall complimented the linebackers during his weekly Monday press conference, saying, “We’re just becoming more balanced, and that’s helpful.”
Health may well dictate just how good this linebacker group becomes by season’s end. This statement applies to pretty much every position on this Virginia team, but it’s especially true at linebacker. Backing up Kiser and Peace are true freshmen Zane Zandier and Elliott Brown. Sophomore Chris Moore, who is listed as Cook’s backup, is bouncing back and forth between outside linebacker and safety, and junior C.J. Stalker is the listed backup to Mack. Stalker has only appeared in 12 games in three seasons with the Cavaliers.
Of the four backups, Moore by far has the most playing experience. If Cook were to go down, the former Broad Run star should be able to fill in quite well. If any of the other three get injured, though, it’s anyone’s guess as to what would happen.
Brown, who checks in at 6’5” and 235 pounds, made his college football debut against UConn. One of the last recruits to commit to Virginia in the 2018 Class, the Odenton (MD) native attended Taft School in Connecticut for a postgraduate year in 2017/2018.
While he was not highly ranked coming out of Taft, Brown showed off his length and speed when on the field in last Saturday’s win. He’s an intriguing prospect to say the least.
“He’s long … really long,” a smiling Peace said of Brown. “Once he realizes his potential and figures out how to use it, he’s going to be a force.”
“He got his feet wet, finally,” Peace continued. “He felt good about [the UConn game]. He got something to go on before next game.”
Hanback, D-Line Play a Key to LB Success
Coach Mendenhall credits the play of the defensive line in playing a key role in the performance of Kiser and company. In particular, sophomore Eli Hanback’s emergence at nose tackle has been of the highest importance.
“He’s consistent, he’s productive, and he’s durable,” Mendenhall said of Hanback. “He’s really filled a void that we didn’t know how or if it would happen. We’re certainly glad he’s doing well so far.”
Hanback has 16 tackles with 2 tackles for loss and a half sack to his credit this season. A starter at defensive end last year, the sophomore made the move inside during fall camp and has adapted well taking over the spot vacated by Donte Wilkins.
Hanback is flanked by defensive ends Andrew Brown and Juwan Moye. All three are playing well in this early season. Brown missed some of the first half and the entire second half against UConn after being ejected because of targeting. He is expected to play against Boise State.
“The traditional runs so far are being played really well,” Mendenhall said. “Anytime the defensive front plays at a higher level, the linebackers’ production goes up in our scheme. [The linebackers’ stats are] reflective of how defensive front are performing.”
News & Notes
– Boise State head coach Bryan Harsin says his regular starting quarterback, Brett Rypien, has been “cleared” and is “good” to play against Virginia. The Idaho Statesmen reports that both Rypien and backup Montell Cozart are expected to see action against the Hoos.
Rypien is more known for his passing while Cozart is a dual-threat signal caller. Cozart filled in for an injured Rypien in last week’s win over New Mexico. No matter which player is running the offense, Virginia cornerback Bryce Hall says his team will be ready.
“Obviously one quarterback runs more and one is more passing,” Hall said. “We’ll be prepared for that. I think we’ve got a good game-plan in place.”
– Brenton Nelson’s emergence at safety has enabled Juan Thornhill to move from the Sabre safety spot to cornerback, where he started last season. It has helped a talented-but-thin Cavalier defense transition easily to the loss of corner Tim Harris.
“It adds a lot of easiness to everybody else’s job,” Hall said, referring to Nelson’s performance. “He’s really stepped up for us. That’s just made a huge relief for everybody else.”
– Hall provided his thoughts on playing on Boise’s famed blue turf.
“I’m excited to go out and play on the blue turf,” he said. I think it’s pretty cool from what I’ve seen on TV. I’m excited. It’s just going to be a different environment. We’re looking forward to it.”
– Including the aforementioned Zandier and Brown at linebacker, there are 10 true freshmen listed on UVA’s two-deep: Lindell Stone (QB), Jamari Peacock (BB), Ryan Nelson (LT), Chris Glaser (RT), Zandier, Brown, Germane Crowell (CB), Joey Blount (SABRE), A.J. Mejia (PK) and Brian Delaney (KO). Additionally, two more true freshmen — Terrell Jana (WR) and Tyler Fannin (C) — are in the three-deep.
By my count, 13 true freshmen have played this season. Stone is not one of them, while Brown and defensive end John Kirven made their debuts against UConn.
