Strategy Session: Hoos After D-Linemen

STRATEGY SESSION:  DEFENSE

(Click here for last week’s Offense Strategy Session)

Ten of Virginia’s 17 recruits in the class of 2014 will at least start out on the defensive side of the ball.  The group, headlined by 5-star defensive tackle Andrew Brown and 5-star free safety Quin Blanding, includes three defensive ends, one defensive tackle, three linebackers, one safety and two cornerbacks.

It’ll be interesting to see what happens with defensive end/outside linebacker types Jordan “JJ” Jackson, Cory Jones and Chris Peace.  Jackson is listed as a defensive end while Jones and Peace are listed as linebackers (per Signing Day Central on VirginiaSports.com), but given their size and athleticism I think any of the three could play either end or outside backer.  How the coaches feel these prospects long term could have a slight impact on class of 2015 recruiting, but regardless of what happens defensive end appears to be an area of emphasis for the Hoos in the class of 2015.

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