When the Virginia football team picked up its first ACC win last week, the defense earned plenty of headlines for its play. The Cavaliers allowed just 3 points on defense and forced a pair of turnovers to lead the way against Georgia Tech.

That, of course, added to one of the season’s biggest storylines to date as the UVA defense is playing significantly better in essentially every category across the board. The Hoos ranked 121st nationally in total defense (466.0 yards per game allowed), 103rd in scoring defense (31.8 points per game allowed), 123rd in run defense (225.8 yards per game allowed), 88th in pass defense (240.2 yards per game allowed), 113th in sacks per game (1.5), and 93rd in turnovers gained (14) in 2021. They rank 39th in total defense (350.3), 43rd in scoring defense (22.6), 73rd in run defense (147.7), 36th in pass defense (202.6), 15th in sacks per game (3.3), and 29th in turnovers gained (13) in 2022.

One player with a key role in the turnaround has been cornerback Fentrell Cypress II. He started 6 games last season before injuries sent him to the shelf, but he’s been a rock solid starter in 6 of 7 games this season. He has posted 26 tackles and 9 pass breakups. According to the Pro Football Focus data, Cypress and fellow corner Anthony Johnson and Fentrell Cypress II rank 11th and rank 12th nationally for coverage grades this season by players in on half of the nation-leading 350 coverage snaps. Cypress’ current 83.9 coverage grade for the season represents a massive jump from a 52.3 in his shortened 2021 season.

Virginia defensive coordinator John Rudzinski praised the work of Cypress at corner.

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