Having added seven new scholarship offensive linemen — including two graduate transfer seniors and five true freshmen — since spring football ended, Virginia football now has 16 scholarship linemen at its disposal in preseason camp. Having depth on the line is a luxury offensive line coach Garett Tujague didn’t have in the spring. He’s certainly happy to have it now.

“It’s been way better to have guys that you can put in, take a guy out and coach him up, put him back in, that type of stuff,” Tujague said. “When you have numbers you can do a lot of different things. It’s a matter of finding that right combination.”

The Cavaliers enter 2017 without three starters from last year’s team. Only one of the two returning 2016 season starters — left tackle Jack English — is a sure-fire starter in 2017. There is competition for the remaining offensive line positions.

Discussing the offensive line following Thursday (August 10) morning’s practice, Tujague indicated the staff is engaged in an “educated scramble” in in fall camp. That is, players are getting looks at multiple positions and the coaches are using different player combinations in hopes of achieving one goal.

...