A year ago, true freshman Jordan Mack learned he would start the season opener for the Virginia football team in Bronco Mendenhall’s debut season. While the starting news itself may have been a surprise, the spot on the field certainly was.
Mack, an all-state honoree in Georgia as a Wesleyan High defensive back, had been recruited and evaluated mostly in the secondary. His starting job? At linebacker. When the Hoos kicked off against Richmond, he became the first true freshman at UVA to start a season opener at linebacker since Ahmad Brooks in 2003.
His collegiate debut proved memorable.
”For me, it was just eye-opening,” Mack said. ”The speed of the game, the crowd – everything was new and different.”
Mack settled in as a starter in nine of 12 games last fall as one of six true freshmen to start at least once in 2016. He ended up with 40 tackles, good enough for eighth on the team and fifth among players returning this fall. He tallied four tackles for loss and two forced fumbles, the most notable one a chest-rattling sack at Duke that led to an Eli Hanback touchdown.
Still, as the offseason unfolded, the Cavaliers lost some depth at inside linebacker. Zach Bradshaw finished his eligibility, while Matt Terrell and Landan Word each decided to transfer to new schools. That led the UVA coaching staff to propose a position change and Mack accepted the move from outside to inside linebacker.
Working in his new spot throughout the spring, Mack worked to add size and strength. He’s up to 225 pounds now after being listed at 205 for the 216 opener. He also studied up on new responsibilities and the new challenge of being at the fulcrum of Mendenhall’s 3-4 defense, which he says requires him to be more vocal in the defense.
”Honestly, in this defense they put me in the best positions possible so I feel comfortable wherever they put me,” Mack said. ”Communication [is biggest difference between outside and inside linebacker]. I’m going have to communicate to everyone. Whether it be calling out plays or being a vocal part of the defense, I’m going to have to speak up more.”
Even with the move and preparation, Mack might not be a full-time inside linebacker in 2017.
The Cavaliers do not have much experienced depth at linebacker, particularly on the outside where a true freshman and a defensive back convert are listed on the two deep. Elliott Brown, a true freshman out of the Taft School in Maryland, is behind Chris Peace at the WILL spot, while former safety Chris Moore is listed behind Malcolm Cook at SAM. Depending on how things unfold this season, Mack could slide outside at times if a backup on the inside is more ready for snaps than someone on the outside.
Plus, the Hoos have not determined how much base defense vs. how much sub defense will be in play this season either. If Mendenhall elects to roll out a nickel package more often, for example, that takes a linebacker off the field in favor of an additional defensive back. UVA fans also saw the team use a dime look last season with only two defensive linemen on the field with a combination of nine linebackers and defensive backs behind them.
Mack’s versatility helps in that regard. Mendenhall feels comfortable enough with the sophomore to deploy him in different ways and the more players you have like that, the more ways you can try to make the defense formidable.
“It’s a compliment to him that we asked him to change positions because we think simply the more he can do, the more he can do,” Mendenhall said. “You’ll probably see him at both positions somewhere through maybe the first game or even the season because we’re not very deep at linebacker, so we’re not hesitant to put him at either of the outside backer spots as needed to get the best combination of players out there. He hasn’t done that yet, but his training is so deep, and his knowledge of the defense is becoming so strong, we think he can do that. He can really play any of the four linebacker sports which gives us more of a true two deep there.”
More On The Defense
Starting back at the ACC Football Kickoff media event in July, Mendenhall has hinted that Virginia might not be fully locked into its base 3-4 defense this season. The reasons for that stem from the linebacker depth discussion above and the need for a nose tackle replacement for Donte Wilkins, who started all 12 games there last season.
In the weeks since, UVA has rolled through preseason practice and Mendenhall seems more comfortable with the 3-4 base as well as other scheme variations. The main reason for that is Eli Hanback, a starter for 11 games last season at defensive end. The redshirt sophomore bulked up to 305 pounds and emerged as the clear starting nose tackle. Having a player that can handle the demanding duties on the interior gives Mendenhall the option of staying with the 3-4 look, particularly on early downs.
“We’re still identifying and looking to find the best 11 football players defensively to put on the football field at the same time,” Mendenhall said. “So defensively we are still a work in progress. But I do believe Eli is capable of playing nose tackle at a level necessary in our traditional scheme.”
Still, Mendenhall cut his defensive teeth in a 3-3-5 scheme and the Hoos frequently shifted into sub packages last season too. Throughout the spring and preseason practices, some players mentioned working a lot in nickel looks on given days as well.
In nickel and other sub packages, the Cavaliers will put at least one extra defensive back on the field. In those scenarios, it looks like safety Juan Thornhill will shift over to be the nickel back while someone else, likely redshirt freshman Brenton Nelson, moves into the safety spot.
”Changing position really isn’t that big of deal to me,” Thornhill said. ”I’m used to moving places. As of right now, I’m learning two new positions because last year I was at corner and they moved me to safety and nickel [back] this year. Being able to move around helps the team out a lot. Like I said, I’ll do anything to help the team win, play any position.”
Virginia Football Worth Quoting & Noting
- Linebacker Jordan Mack said the Cavaliers look for three magic numbers in every game: ”24, 1, and 5. 24 points. The defense tries not to give up and hold them under 24 points. Our offense wants to score 24 or more points. Be plus one in turnover margin and plus five in starting field position.”
- The team voted on captains and selected quarterback Kurt Benkert, safety Quin Blanding, and linebacker Micah Kiser. No surprises there. The Hoos add a fourth captain on a rotating basis from special teams.
- The team will finish handing out numbers for the first game of the season on Thursday.
- The depth chart released Monday shows 10 true freshmen at different spots: Terrell Jana (WR), Tyler Fannin (C), Chris Glaser (RT), Lindell Stone (QB), Jamari Peacock (RB/BB), Elliott Brown (OLB), Germane Crowell (DB), Joey Blount (FS), A.J. Mejia (PK), and Brian Delaney (KO).
- There are also nine redshirt freshmen listed: De’Vante Cross (WR), Dillon Reinkensmeyer (LT), Osiris Crutchfield (LT), Ben Knutson (LG), Christian Baumgardner (DE), Brenton Nelson (Sabre S), Nick Grant (DB), Nash Griffin (H), and Chuck Davis (PR).
- Safety Juan Thornhill on cornerback Tim Harris’ return: ”Tim, that guy, he can play. He’s one of our best corners. Him and Bryce on both sides. Tim, he’s very long, fast, and I don’t see many guys catching balls on him. He’s just experienced. He’s been playing since he was a first year so him being back is going to help us out a lot.”
