This class may not be as highly rated by recruiting services as the previous two, but the fact is that Virginia
filled some key need areas with top talent. The most highly targeted areas were cornerback and safety, and the Cavaliers
did an excellent job of filling the need at both positions.

Two of the top targets in the defensive backfield have the ability to play early at the cornerback and safety
positions, respectively. Philip Brown , who is one of the top cornerbacks in the country, is expected to qualify and will
finally be able to show off his five-star ability for the Cavaliers. Brown possesses blazing speed, great jumping
ability, confidence, and awesome coverage skills. He should push for a lot of playing time next season.

UVa went to the Midwest to snatch top safety prospect Nate Lyles . Lyles is a fast, physical safety with excellent
instincts. He could play cornerback, but UVa likes him as a safety, which is where he played throughout high school. Add
speedy sleeper prospect Bud Davis, Pennsylvania standout Chris Gorham , Deep Creek star Jamaal Jackson , and the
committed-but-not-yet-signed Ahmad Bradshaw to the secondary, and the Cavaliers have added talent and speed to a major
key area.

Virginia added top prospects to the linebacker corps and defensive line as well. Olu Hall and Clint Sintim provide
Coach Groh with the type of athletes he covets at the outside linebacker position. Both were rated in the top 10 in the
state of Virginia, with Olu Hall generally considered the top overall prospect in the state of Virginia. Groh is
extremely high on linebacker Devonta Brown , who he feels has the talent to be an exceptional inside linebacker. Gatorade
Player of the Year Chris Long has awesome potential as a defensive end, and Rockbridge County’s Jon Kirchner could end
up as a nose tackle or defensive end after a red-shirt year. Long was generally considered to be in the top five in the
state while Kirchner is in the top 15.

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