Opponent Insider: Virginia's Top Defensive Players

A dominant defense has Virginia coming into its weekend matching against Notre Dame undefeated and ranked No. 18 ranking in both the Associated Press and Coaches Poll.

Virginia is a well-coached defensive squad, and its ability to attack offenses with an aggressive and multiple pressure package. It will present Notre Dame with an extremely difficult challenge this weekend.

Bryce Hall, Cornerback

2019 Stats: 15 tackles, 3 TFL’s, 4 break ups

2018 Stats: 62 tackles, 3.5 TFL’s, 2 INT’s, 22 break ups

With all due respect to Stanford standout Paulson Adebo, there isn’t a better cornerback on Notre Dame’s schedule than Bryce Hall. In fact, there might not be a better corner in the entire country than the Virginia standout, who is backing up his preseason All-American hype.

Hall is a long and physical cornerback that runs quite well. He uses his length to his advantage, and Virginia allows him to play in a lot of off coverage, much like Notre Dame did with its own All-American, Julian Love, a season ago. This allows Hall to keep things in front of him, and when he makes quick reads he can fly to the ball. His combination of instincts, range and ball skills allowed him to break up 22 passes a season ago.

Even though he doesn’t do it frequently, Hall can press effectively, using his length, strength and smooth athletic skills to get a good jam and then open and run. Notre Dame’s wideouts will have to be at their vest best on Saturday.

Charles Snowden, Outside Linebacker

2019 Stats: 28 tackles, 6 TFL’s, 3 sacks, 7 QB hurries

2018 Stats: 61 tackles, 7.5 TFL’s, 2.5 sacks, 7 QB hurries, 9 break ups

The lanky Virginia outside linebacker has taken his game to another level in 2019, and he’s fresh off earning national player of the week honors after registering 15 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, two sacks and four quarterback hurries in the team’s 28-17 win over Old Dominion.

Snowden plays the field outside linebacker position in the Virginia 3-4 defense, which means he’s asked to do a lot. Fortunately for the Wahoos, he’s a versatile defender that thrives in multiple phases of the game. At 6-7, he presents a unique presence on the edge, evidenced by his nine pass break ups last season. When he comes off the edge he’s a hard target to throw over.

The junior is a rangy athlete that is relatively smooth for his size, which helps him be effective in coverage. It also allows him to be effective as a tackler in space. Snowden has been far more effective as an edge rusher this season.

Here’s a look at the different skills that Snowden brings to the game.

Jordan Mack, Inside Linebacker

2019 Stats: 29 tackles, 6 TFL’s, 5 sacks, 5 QB hurries

2018 Stats: 66 tackles, 6 TFL’s, 2.5 sacks, 4 QB hurries

Mack has been turned loose this fall, and he’s rewarding the coaches with a strong start to the season. The Cavalier coaches use Mack as a weapon from his Mike linebacker spot. Mack will run stunt a lot, and he’s been effective as a blitzer against the run and pass, which is why he currently leads the team with five sacks.

It’s a smart strategy and uses what Mack does well. When he can play downhill and attack the football he’s quite good. He’s not as effective playing laterally and he struggles a bit in coverage, so the coaches have masked that a bit and are allowing him to use his toughness and straight-line speed to make a lot of plays.

Mack has already reached his tackles for loss numbers from a season ago, he’s surpassed his hurry numbers and he’s already doubled up his sack total.

Joey Blount, Safety

2019 Stats: 25 tackles, 2 TFL’s, 2 sacks, 1 INT

2018 Stats: 65 tackles, 5 TFL’s, 2 INT, 3 break ups

Blount’s inclusion in this list is more about what he did in 2018 and his potential than it is about his 2019 play. The junior safety hasn’t been as effective early this season as he was a year ago, but he’s flashed in the first four games and is poised for a breakout. Notre Dame needs to make sure it doesn’t happen this weekend.

At 6-1 and 190 pounds, Blount has good length and range on the back end of the defense. He gets downhill in a hurry, shows the skills to play off the hash and in the deep middle in coverage, and he’s good in man coverage against backs and tight ends.

Last season Blount was a very good tackler, but he’s struggled in that department early in the 2019 season.

Nick Grant, Cornerback

2019 Stats: 13 tackles, 3 pass break ups, 1 INT

2018 Stats: 4 tackles

When I started breaking down Virginia I did not think Grant would be part of this top players breakdown. He entered the season with just six career tackles in two seasons, but he’s been outstanding through the first four games of the season.

Like Hall, Grant brings a lot of length to the position, which helps him make a lot of plays on the ball. But Grant isn’t just about length; his fluidity and athleticism stood out on film. I couldn’t help but notice him in coverage, and he’s aggressive attacking the ball. Virginia using him to play off the ball takes some pressure off him and allows Grant to keep things in front of him, but he shows the ability to flip his hips, run and find his man.

Grant has been impressive as a tackler this season, which is needed with him playing to the field in most of the snaps I’ve viewed this season, although Virginia has mixed up playing its corners field/boundary and left/right.