The Roster

46: Tory Allen – 6’6″, 220, Fr. 60: Mike Price – 6’5″, 265, Fr . 90: Jason Fuller – 6’5″, 255, Jr. 91: Buddy Ruff – 6’4″, 290, Fr. 92: Zane Parr – 6’6″, 267, R-Fr. 93: Alex Field – 6’7″, 270, Sr. 94: Matt Conrath – 6’7″, 269, R-Fr. 95: Kevin Crawford – 6’3″, 280, Jr. 96: Nick Jenkins – 6’3″, 285, R-Fr. 98: Nate Collins – 6’2″, 280, Jr. 99: Sean Gottschalk – 6’4″, 275, So. * Numbers subject to change

With the loss of three starters, the defensive line position is one of the biggest unknowns for the Virginia football team in 2008. Consider that dynamic ends Chris Long and Jeffrey Fitzgerald , the tone-setters and key disruptors on last year’s successful unit, represent two of lost starters, and the uncertainty is even greater. Still, there appears to be a fair amount of talent in place on the D-Line with the likes of Alex Field , Matt Conrath , Nate Collins , and Nick Jenkins in the mix.

Collins represents the most experienced player of the group after seeing significant time as nose tackle Allen Billyk ‘s back-up in 2007. Thus far in his two-year career, Collins has logged 510 plays and recorded 48 total tackles (9 tackles for loss, 3 QB sacks), 6 quarterback hurries, 1 fumble caused, and 1 fumble recovered. A very good athlete for the NT position – he played multiple positions in high school including quarterback and linebacker at times – Collins has the ability to be a good run-stopper and pass-rusher. In some substitution packages last season, he lined up at defensive end in addition to tackle so that’s an option for this year’s defense as well.

“Nate has very good athletic ability as we’ve talked about on occasion. … He’s got very good natural athletic ability. He’s a high-motor player. He didn’t have much experience as a down lineman so most of the plays he’s been able to make for us have been on athletic ability and effort,” UVa coach Al Groh said. “He had a tremendous summer program for us. He’s one of the strongest players on the team now, one of the hardest workers and is in great shape. He’s continuing to learn to play the point of attack more physically whereas his early game was more based on his athletic ability and running to the ball.”

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