The University of Virginia finished the 2014 football season with a 5-7 record under head coach Mike London. The Cavaliers won just six games in the 2012 and 2013 seasons combined, and they have not had a winning season since 2011.
Last year, Virginia appeared to be on track to earn a winning season when they won four of their first six games, but they could not continue the success and lost five of their last six matchups.
Looking at the 2015 season, the Cavaliers should see some improvement if they can make it through their intense schedule after replacing some key starters with untested talent.
The Cavaliers will not return quarterback Greyson Lambert who suffered an injury in the fourth game of the season against BYU. Junior Matt Johns came in for Lambert and ended the season averaging 6.5 yards per pass attempt and 7.3 yards per carry. He proved himself worthy of the starting position in the spring, and Lambert decided to transfer to Georgia.
Catching passes from Johns will most likely be redshirt sophomore Andre Levrone and senior Canaan Severin. In 2014, Levrone appeared in 11 of 12 games and caught 15 passes for 248 yards and two touchdowns.
Severin has appeared in all but three games in his time at Virginia, and he recorded a team high of 42 receptions for 578 yards and five touchdowns. Joining the receiving corps will also be UNC graduate transfer T.J. Thorpe.
“We expect Canaan to have an even better year. He’s made those one-handed awesome catches throughout practice, and we’re excited about where we can go from there,” said London.
In the backfield, the Cavaliers return junior tailback Taquan Mizzell. Before college, Rivals ranked Mizzell as a five-star recruit, and he has appeared in almost every game since he has been with the Cavaliers. In 2014, he rushed 64 times for 280 yards and two scores and had 39 receptions for 271 yards.
Virginia also gained running back Albert Reid, who transferred from Maryland for the 2015 season. The Cavaliers also have redshirt freshman Jordan Ellis and incoming freshman Olamide Zaccheaus to provide some younger depth.
“Like I said, one of the things coming out of this spring, the running game was very productive for us,” said London.
The 2015 season not only returns seven offensive linemen with starting experience, but also offensive line coach Dave Borbely as well. Borbely left Virginia for Louisville and then Colorado State, but he has come back to work with London and the offensive line. He was there in time to work with the linemen during the spring, and London believes the line has improved.
“One of the positives for us coming out of spring practice is that area has improved,” said London. “It will get better when you have your guys that have been played in games back, and then having a guy like Dave Borbely coaching them. Again, it’s a very positive unit for us.”
Defensively, the Cavaliers may take a step back since they have lost key starters, including four linebackers with starting experience. Virginia lost outside linebackers Eli Harold and Max Valles and middle linebacker Henry Coley to the NFL, and outside linebacker Daquan Romero’s eligibility has expired. Together, those four athletes combined for 47.5 tackles for loss and 25 sacks.
Replacing them will be juniors Zach Bradshaw and Mark Hall as well as sophomore Micah Kiser. All three linebackers have had considerable amounts of playing time, however they have no starting experience. Virginia’s difficult schedule will test them this season.
“So now it’s going to be important for guys like Micah (Kiser), Zach Bradshaw, Mark Hall to step up and step into important roles,” said London. “They’ve demonstrated that at spring practice, but the ultimate test will be when you’re playing out there, no coaches on the field, and it will be that UCLA test for us.”
In the secondary, the Cavaliers lose safeties Anthony Harris and Brandon Phelps and cornerback DreQuan Hoskey. However, returning at safety is starting sophomore Quin Blanding and redshirt junior Kelvin Rainey. In 2014, Blanding was ranked second in the ACC with 123 tackles.
“Kelvin (Rainey) has done an outstanding job of raising his level of play and making himself to be considered as a guy that can be a safety and play multiple teams for us,” said London.
At the corners, seniors Demetrious (Trey) Nicholson and Maurice Canady will return alongside junior Tim Harris. Nicholson has been battling injuries in 2013 and 2014, but he is one of the most disruptive players that Virginia has in their secondary. His return to playing in 2015 in combination with Canady will make the secondary one of the strongest units of the team.
“Trey (Nicholson) has done a good job. It’s been a long road back for him, both physically and mentally,” said London. “He’s an important part to our defense.”
Up front, the defensive line may take a step back after ranking 20th in rushing defense in 2014. Veteran tackle David Dean and defensive end Mike Moore will return for their senior seasons to lead the line. They will be joined by senior end Kwontie Moore and junior tackle Donte Wilkins.
Virginia opens up the 2015 season with a trip to the Rose Bowl to play UCLA. It then has three home games and an open date before hitting the ACC part of its schedule.