It gets repetitive when talking about the woes the Virginia defense faced last season. The Cavaliers ranked No. 121 in total defense and tied for No. 103 in scoring defense. The offense was ranked amongst the best in the country in total offense (No. 3) and scoring offense (No. 21), but there are two sides to the ball. The negligence on defense was a major reason why the team flopped to 6-6 after a promising 6-2 start that put the Hoos in the mix to retain the ACC Coastal crown.

However, the defense is looking for a change. The unit has received praise throughout the offseason, as the Wahoos work on tackling fundamentals and a new scheme. With a mostly revamped defensive coaching staff and some young pieces, the team needs someone to step up as the captain, and the most likely candidate is Nick Jackson. He will not only be that leader for the Cavaliers this season, but he has an opportunity to make a statement for the whole country to see.

Jackson has been the best defender for the Hoos for the past two seasons. He led the team in tackles for back-to-back seasons, surpassing the 100 mark in both years. He also received Third- and Second-Team All-ACC honors in 2020 and 2021, respectively. He should be in the conversation with some of the best linebackers in the country, and he has also been placed on the Bednarik and Butkus Award Watch Lists for 2022.

People know his name and some know importance on the field, but what can Nick Jackson’s ceiling be in his senior year?

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