Nate Collins led all returning linemen last season with 36 tackles.

With converted tight end Andrew Devlin , nickel and dime lineman John-Kevin Dolce , and redshirt freshman Buddy Ruff joining the rotation, Virginia’s has created an advantageous situation on the defensive line entering spring practice. After all seven of the top eight contributors from 2008 – only the rock solid Alex Field is missing – are back in the orange and blue. That means the coaching staff has plenty of options when it comes to the front line of the defense.

Take Nick Jenkins and Nate Collins for example. The two-headed tandem at nose tackle combined for 61 tackles last season; Collins’ 36 stops are tops among the returning linemen and he has recorded more than 30 stops in back-to-back seasons. Not only are Jenkins and Collins productive, they’re also experienced. Collins is a senior that has appeared in 952 plays in his career; Jenkins, meanwhile, is a redshirt sophomore that piled up 437 plays during his season on the field.

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