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A two-time team captain, Long finished his career tied for fourth on
Virginia's all-time list in tackles for loss (45) and eighth in sacks (22).
Long earned 2nd Team All-ACC honors as a junior in 2006, then
followed that up with a monster senior season, finishing with 14 sacks
(third in the nation and just one off the school record) and 21 tackles for
loss (tied with Chris Slade, Patrick Kerney, and Mike Frederick for the
highest single-season total in UVa history). He also led the team with
23 quarterback hurries and nine pass break-ups. Long became the
program's third unanimous All-American, won the Ted Hendricks Award
as the best defensive end in the nation, and was named the ACC
Defensive Player of the Year. And if that wasn't enough, rumor has it
that he is part cyborg.
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After splitting time for much of his first three seasons, Collins became
an absolute beast (or, depending on whom you ask, an absolute
unicorn) during his senior season, leading the team in sacks (6) and
tackles for loss (10.5), and finishing second in tackles (77). Collins had
several signature moments during the 2009 season, including a
game-changing interception return for a touchdown in the win over
Maryland and a dominant 16-tackle performance against Georgia Tech,
during which he tore through the Jackets' offensive line like former UVa
basketball player Elton Brown tearing through a bag of greasy
cheeseburgers. Collins was the only Cavalier selected 1st Team
All-ACC in 2009.
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A four-time letter-winner, Canty anchored a solid defensive line that
helped lead Virginia to three straight bowl games from 2002-2004. As a
sophomore in 2002, Canty racked up 86 tackles and earned 2nd Team
All-ACC honors. He was even better in 2003, finishing second on the
team in tackles (104, a huge number for a defensive end) and tackles
for loss (11), and once again being selected 2nd Team All-ACC. In
2004, Canty was in the process of putting up All-American numbers (30
tackles, 7 tackles for loss and a forced fumble through 3+ games)
before suffering a season-ending knee injury against Syracuse.
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Sintim started 49 games during his college career, finishing second on
Virginia's all-time list in sacks (29) and third in tackles for loss (46). In
2007, Sintim teamed up with Chris Long to terrorize opposing offenses.
He finished second behind Long in sacks (9) and quarterback
pressures (17), and was third on the team in tackles (77) and tackles
for loss (9). In 2008, Sintim led the team in sacks (11), tackles for loss
(16), fumbles recovered (2), and quarterback pressures (24 - 19 more
than the next highest total), and finished third in tackles. He was
selected to two All-America teams (4th Team All-America by Phil Steele
and Honorable Mention All-America by Pro Football Weekly) and was
voted 2nd Team All-ACC.
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Although many fans remember Brooks for his spectacular flameout in
2005, his first two seasons in Charlottesville were what legends are
made of. As a freshman in 2003, Brooks led Virginia in tackles and was
named to numerous 1st Team Freshman All-America teams. In
addition, he was selected as the ACC Defensive Freshman of the Year
by The Sporting News and CollegeFootballNews.com. Brooks then
went buck wild in 2004, once again leading the Hoos in tackles (90) and
jaw-dropping plays. Brooks was selected to several All-America teams
(including two 1st Team selections) and earned 1st Team All-ACC
honors.
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Crowell was a tackling machine throughout his Virginia career. He
ranks third on UVa's all-time tackle list with 420, only 15 behind all-time
leader Jamie Sharper. In 2001, Crowell finished with 144 tackles (the
highest single-season total in UVa history), led the team in tackles for
loss (10), and was voted 2nd Team All-ACC. He then broke his own
school record for tackles as a senior in 2002, finishing with an
incredible 155 (a record that still stands today) and earning 1st Team
All-ACC honors.
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Blackstock exploded onto the scene as a freshman in 2002, racking up
10 sacks and 14 tackles for loss. He was named Defensive Freshman
of the Year by CollegeFootballNews.com and Rivals.com, earned
Honorable Mention All-ACC honors, and was selected to numerous 1st
Team Freshman All-America teams. Blackstock continued to wreak
havoc in 2003 (six sacks, 14.5 tackles for loss, Honorable Mention
All-ACC) and 2004 (11 sacks, 14 tackles for loss, 2nd Team All-ACC).
Blackstock led the Hoos in sacks and tackles for loss for three straight
seasons, an amazing feat given the amount of talent UVa had on
defense. Blackstock ranks third on Virginia's all-time sack list, and he's
tied with Chris Long for fourth all-time in tackles for loss.
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A three-year starter, Hamilton picked off 15 passes during his UVa
career, tied with Ronde Barber for third on Virginia's all-time interception
list. Hamilton led the Hoos in interceptions for three straight seasons
(2004-2006). He also led the team in passes broken up in 2004 and
2005, and finished second in 2006. Hamilton was voted 2nd Team
All-ACC in 2005 and 2006, and he served as a team captain during his
senior season.
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The only current player on the All-Decade Team, Dowling made an
immediate impact as a freshman in 2007. He had a team-high two
interceptions, was named Honorable Mention Freshman All-America by
CollegeFootballNews.com, and was selected to the ACC All-Freshman
Team by The Sporting News. In 2008, Dowling had a team-high three
interceptions, was named 2nd Team Sophomore All-America by
CollegeFootballNews.com, and earned 2nd Team All-ACC honors.
Despite struggling a bit in 2009, Dowling once again earned 2nd Team
All-ACC honors. Dowling enters his senior year with eight career
interceptions. With two more picks, he will move into the top-15 on
Virginia's all-time list.
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A hard-hitting safety, Evans filled up the stat sheet for the Hoos'
defense. In 2001, Evans finished fourth on the team in tackles (83) and
racked up four tackles for loss, two interceptions, and two fumble
recoveries. In 2002, Evans had an amazing 116 tackles, the most ever
by a Virginia defensive back. He also had two interceptions and two
forced fumbles, and led the team in passes broken up (6). Evans was
voted 2nd Team All-ACC in 2002.
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A three-year starter, Newby finished his career with 11 interceptions,
good for ninth place on Virginia's all-time interception list. In 2001,
Newby led the Hoos with five interceptions, the second-most in the
ACC, and earned 2nd Team All-ACC honors. In 2002, Newby once
again led the team in interceptions, becoming the first player to lead the
Hoos in picks in back-to-back seasons since Anthony Poindexter.
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