The Virginia football team has some familiar faces on offense this season. Returning quarterback Brennan Armstrong obviously headlines that list, but the offensive line is one position that will feature new starters trying to make a name for themselves. That’s because the top six linemen from a year ago have departed the program.

That’s one area that didn’t really get a head start in the spring either because overall numbers were low following the transfers and injuries. In fact, several players took snaps for both teams in the UVA Blue-White Spring Game when fewer than 10 linemen were available to play.

With an influx of players up front, however, it’s a totally different story this preseason. Of course, that means there’s a lot of work to do to figure out the rotation before kickoff on Saturday, Sept. 3 against Richmond.

“We have more bodies, so that’s a positive, than we had in the spring,” Virginia offensive coordinator Des Kitchings said. “So it’s kind of getting those guys to gel as a group because two of them played together in the spring, maybe three. We’re trying to get that group of five, hopefully we get to eight or nine guys that can work together and gel. Again, it goes into first two days just in a helmet, they’re synchronizing and working together. Now with pads on, playing with good leverage, hand placement, those type things, and are they setting the right pass protection and things we need to do at a high level for us to win.”

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