New Virginia defensive coordinator John Rudzinski’s scheme has the flexibility to show three- or four-man fronts to opposing offenses. There’s a hybrid Bandit position that gets attention because of its name and there may often will be three safeties on the field too. No matter what the call is, however, the defensive line will play a critical role.

Those players must be able to hold their own and win head-to-head competitions with offensive linemen. At least two UVA defensive linemen appear to have locked in quickly this spring. Junior nose tackle Jahmeer Carter drew praise early in camp and Ben Smiley III won over the Cavalier coaches along the way too. (Aaron Faumui is another player that coaches and teammates have pointed out at times this spring too.)

After the Blue-White Spring Game on Saturday, Virginia coach Tony Elliott said he liked what both Carter and Smiley brought to the table. He said that Carter had one of the best springs on the defense. The junior tackle took that information in stride when reporters relayed it to him a few minutes later.

“I think it went pretty good,” Carter said. “I just came in, put my head down every day, just tried to work and be the best person I can be.”

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