Trifecta Box: Offensive Line

I need to hustle this process along!  The season starts in just eleven days!

If I'm betting a trifecta box on UVA's o-line this fall, here's how I'd structure the bet...

UVA's o-line: Strength or weakness of the 2010 team?  I'm guessing it's a strength.

 
 
WIN:

• LT) Landon Bradley, junior -- Bradley is solid and fairly athletic, but probably better at pass blocking than run blocking.  He's no lock to start this fall, but I think his starting experience will win out.
• LG) Austin Pasztor, junior -- Probably our best overall offensive lineman, the increased emphasis on the running game should be a boon to his play.  He can really excel as a pulling guard, getting out in space on the move.
• C) Anthony Mihota, junior -- He was never able to escape Al Groh's doghouse, but I think he's a better talent than Jack Shields, the player he replaces at center.  The key for Mihota is quickly assuming a leadership position on the line, and making the correct line calls.
• RG) B.J. Cabbell, senior -- He tends to have a hard time staying healthy, but I think he's a fairly solid starter otherwise.  Like with Pasztor, Cabbell should benefit from the new "run-first" mindset.  If Morgan Moses forces his way into a starting role as a true freshman, I suspect it will be at this right guard spot.
• RT) Oday Aboushi, sophomore -- One of the most improved players on the team, it is said that Aboushi could quickly emerge as the best player on the o-line.  He's replacing the inconsistent Will Barker, and we could see an instant upgrade of play on the field at right tackle as a result.

PLACE:

• LT) Sean Cascarano, redshirt freshman -- He's been one of the young, emerging stars of training camp.  His lack of experience will probably doom him in his battle with Bradley to join the first unit, but I think Cascarano is a better overall talent.
• LG) Isaac Cain, senior -- This battler has been practicing at both guard spots, to go along with his work at center in the spring.  He's a tough, versatile interior swingman who is a true asset to the o-line rotation.
• C) Cody Wallace, true freshman -- If Mihota goes down for an extended period of time, and Issac Cain or Mike Price can't hold,down the fort at center, I think Wallace's redshirt will be burned.  He's the future at the center position, and a lot of folks around the program are very excited about the tools he brings to the table.
• RG) Luke Bowanko, redshirt freshman -- There's a real roster scrum at guard behind Pasztor, Cabbell, and Cain, and I think Bowanko has the most physical talent of the players fighting for the #4 guard spot.
• RT) Morgan Moses, true freshman -- We'll see the massive (6-6, 350) freshman on the field this fall, be it at starting right guard or in the sub package at right tackle.  He has Andre Smith upside, and could serve as the ideal run blocker for a team that wants to make hay by running the football.

SHOW / ALSO RAN:

• Matt Mihalik, sophomore -- He was a great defensive lineman in high school, but he's too high-slung at 6-foot-7 for a switch to defensive tackle at the college level. He could stick on the o-line as an Issac Cain-ish swingman. This year, he's probably the 5th OT behind Bradley, Aboushi, Cascarano, and Moses.
• Mike Price, sophomore -- Price probably isn't an ACC-caliber lineman, but he could be pressed into duty at the center position if Mihota gets injured.
• Aaron Van Kuiken, sophomore -- He's been passed by Aboushi, Moses, Cascarano, and now Mihalik in the OT pecking order, and frankly I fear that he might never be able to make a dent in the depth chart.
• Conner Davis, true freshman -- A redshirt season is definitely in order, but he has the talent to emerge as a factor in another year or two.
• Hunter Steward, sophomore -- He has officially moved to DT, but could slide back to the o-line in a pinch.  The coaches love his talent on both sides of the ball.

ANTE POST: With a renewed focus on run blocking, the o-line can now be built around a singular identity.  With three returning starters and the two newcomers representing tangible upgrades over last year, I think the UVA offensive line will emerge as a strength of the team in 2010.  I count three future NFL starters in the mix -- Pasztor, Aboushi, and Morgan Moses.