Fight Card -- Left Tackles

The Main Event...

Landon Bradley (So.) -- This is his third year in the program, and he was hand-picked and groomed to take over the position once Eugene Monroe graduated. So this roster battle might not be much of a "battle" per se, as it looks very likely that Bradley will be handed the starting position fairly early in training camp. He's not huge for a OT (6-7, 275 as compared to Monroe's 6-5, 315), but he has excellent feet and can move very well for a big dude. I actually think the move to the spread really helps a guy like Bradley, who will need to rely more on lateral movement and positioning than brute strength at the point of attack. Bradley should be adept at getting out in those o-line splits and operating in space. Translation: Landon Bradley is a great fit as a left tackle in a spread offense, where he'll be asked to move around and mirror the pass rushers instead of taking them on in a small amount of space.

Oday Aboushi (Fr.) -- Landon Bradley is close to being a lock to start, but if he doesn't it will be a true freshman, either Morgan Moses or (more likely) Aboushi. A solid four-star recruit and one of the headliners of our 2009 class, Aboushi is said to be a very agile, active, technically-sound blocker, capable of stepping in and starting as a true freshman. At 6-6, 300, his body is already mature enough to handle the rigors of the position. I personally like to see all freshman o-linemen redshirt their first year in the program, so they can add the requisite strength and knowledge of the blocking scheme before they're asked to play. But like I mentioned with Dominique Wallace, Al Groh isn't in a position where he can afford to be patient with these young players. If Aboushi is the best option at left tackle (or if Bradley gets hurt), this redshirt will be burned.

The Undercard...

Lamar Milstead (So.) -- After being a marquee recruit in the 2007 class, Milstead redshirted in 2007 and didn't see the field in 2008. The dreaded term "bust" was being tossed around in reference to this athletically gifted yet raw player. Finally, this Spring, the light began to flicker on for Milstead, and he earned the Rock Weir Award as the team's most improved offensive player. I don't think Milstead will be able to beat out Bradley or Aboushi this summer, but he now at least deserves a spot in the conversation. He also might factor into the battle to back up Will Barker at right tackle.

Morgan Moses (Fr.) -- Landing Moses on National Letter of Intent Day in the Spring was our biggest coup of this recruiting class. This player is a superstar-level talent. Unfortunately, it's looking more and more like he won't have the SAT score to enroll at Virginia this summer, so he'll probably end up prepping at Fork Union this Fall. If we see a last-minute miracle and Moses qualifies... then I'd have to say that he becomes the favorite to start at left tackle this season. He's that good.

And the Winner is... Landon Bradley

I'm sure Morgan Moses will prep, and neither of Aboushi or Milstead have the polish to start at LT this season. So Bradley wins this battle by default... but that's not necessarily a bad thing. Like I stated above, I think he's a great fit at this specific position in this specific offense.

Wahooze-Style Fearless Prediction...

Everyone is in love with Morgan Moses as an extremely talented in-state kid with the potential to be the next great Virginia offensive lineman. His upside is limitless, and he might have more pure talent coming out of high school than D'Brickashaw Ferguson, Branden Albert, or Eugene Monroe. But between this year in prep school and Al Groh's insecure job status, I doubt Morgan Moses ever makes it to the University of Virginia. I hate to be a negative nancy, but how many times has this sort of situation gone our way?

Position Grade: B

I dislike the lack of experience at left tackle, but I like the mix of talent and ability on hand. With four returning starters on the o-line, breaking in a new left tackle shouldn't be an impossible task. The exciting thing about this position group is that all of these players can really get out and move, which should really play well in Gregg Brandon's spread offense.