Brandon Woods currently leads in the competition to be a starting safety alongside Byron Glaspy.

One of the more interesting storylines during Virginia’s spring practice period involved the safeties as several players are in competition for playing time at the spot vacated by Nate Lyles . As fall training camp picks up steam this week, junior Brandon Woods has climbed to the top spot on the depth chart alongside returning starter Byron Glaspy.

“Right now, Brandon Woods is on the top of the list as the players are listed today at the other safety position,” UVa coach Al Groh said Wednesday in a teleconference with reporters.

While the depth chart is an ever-changing thing because there is an open competition for playing time at all times (something Groh pointed out later in Wednesday’s teleconference), the early emergence of Woods could be an important development for the Cavaliers. First, he’s one of the program’s veterans after redshirting in 2005 and playing in all 25 games the past two seasons. Second, Groh indicated in the spring that new defensive coordinator Bob Pruett had a positive impact on the safeties and Woods in particular; replacing Mike London’s influence is one of the bigger questions facing the Hoos this season and the early reports on Pruett’s impact are encouraging.

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