Hoo Preview 2010: Defensive Line

Zane Parr likely will slide into a starting role this season.

The Virginia defense always has been anchored around a strong defensive line. For the past nine seasons, former head coach Al Groh ran a 3-4 defense but the most successful seasons seemed to feature a Chris Long -like stalwart up front. Incoming head coach Mike London is switching the Cavaliers to a 4-3 and some of the best Hoo defenses from years gone by came with players like Chris Slade and Patrick Kerney running in that alignment.

So in London’s first season, the change in scheme requires a change in position for a lot of players. London’s vision of the 4-3 defense features speed and power, not necessarily sheer size and brute force. The guys playing defensive end are fast and while the tackles provide strength, they’ve got some agility too. Filling out the new-style line required some shuffling of the defensive personnel, so the Cavaliers’ front looks very different in 2010.

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