The Virginia Cavaliers enter the 2025 season looking to turn what was a debilitating weakness at times into one of their biggest strengths.
In 2024, the ‘Hoos ranked 103rd in the country and second-to-last in the ACC in sacks with just 19 in 12 games. Against the run, they sat in the middle of the league in yards allowed per game at 145.3. Not that it needs to be said, but there is plenty of room to improve there to say the least.
If I had to bet, I would confidently say both of those categories drastically
improve in 2025, with the ‘Hoos bringing back experienced, playable depth in the trenches, and adding numerous plug-and-play disruptors via the transfer portal.
A closer look at how the ‘Hoos stack up along the defensive line:
Defensive Tackle
The interior spots appear to be one of the deepest positions on this roster. The ‘Hoos return three significant contributors up the middle, headlined by Jahmeer Carter, the eldest defensive lineman in his sixth season who figures to be the safest bet to start come week 1. Jason Hammond likely nabs that second starting spot after appearing in only four games in 2024 due to a shoulder injury, but was highly regarded as a potential impact guy heading into that season.
The depth is where there is a real reason for excitement with this group. For the first time since Tony Elliott has been at UVA, the ‘Hoos have a second wave of interior size that could comfortably slot in as starters if need be. Hunter Osborne was a statement recruiting win, standing at 6-foot-4, 301 pounds from an Alabama program that needs no introduction in terms of its pedigree of players. He gives the ‘Hoos another 300-plus pound body to rotate through and better distribute the heavy snap-load largely shouldered by Carter in previous seasons. Anthony Britton was thrown in the fire early on into his second year as a result of Hammond’s injury, appearing in every game and starting the final eight.
Senior Jacob Holmes is another option inside with his proven ability to get after the quarterback. The Phoenix, Arizona native travels over from Fresno State, where he compiled 8.5 sacks in his last two years combined. Having a depth piece with a proven pass rush ability like Holmes’ is a luxury that UVA has been lacking the past four seasons, and it is a tangible sign of just how deep the interior line projects to be in 2025.
Freshman Sichan John is an intriguing name to remember after receiving praise throughout his short time with the team, largely due to his strength at 6-foot-3, 322 pounds, with defensive tackle coach, Kevin Downing, saying “[John] has a chance to be the strongest player ever here.” Seeing that John is already throwing around 700 pounds on the squat rack….makes sense.
Defensive End
UVA’s work in the portal has positively flipped all expectations on the edges. Mitchell Melton, who was one of four representatives as ACC Kickoff in late July, joins the ‘Hoos after two seasons with Ohio State. Melton saw minimal playing time at Ohio State last season with the Buckeyes employing multiple all-Americans on the edges, but was a former four-star prospect coming out of high school in 2020 before suffering multiple injuries throughout his time in Columbus.
With Melton on one end, UNLV transfer Fisher Camac likely flanks him on the opposite side as the second starter. Of all the transfers the ‘Hoos got, from Chandler Morris at quarterback, Devin Neal at safety, or the numerous defensive backs, Camac may be the most intriguing one of them all. At 6-foot-7, 248 pounds, he’s a physical freak on the edge and had plenty of success getting into the backfield as a junior, stacking 15 tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks, and five pass breakups. The one-two punch of Camac and Melton will be a huge upgrade to spearhead a defense that must take a big step forward pressuring opposing QB’s
The depth to look out for on the edges consists of returning senior Terrell Jones, who saw his playing time increase last year due to injuries and took advantage of the opportunity with solid performances in the middle to late stages of the year, as well as Mehki Buchanan, who was set to play a consistent role in ’24 before some bad injury luck last August kept him out for the duration of the season. Sophomore Billy Koudelka is another lanky athlete at 6-foot-8, 255 pounds, and is a candidate to break out after turning heads in the Spring Game and repeatedly earning the praise of the coaching staff throughout the offseason.
