Joey

Blount

Blount (6'1/205) accounted for nine tackles and one sack in Virginia’s October 3 loss to Clemson, and his absence certainly had an impact on the Cavalier secondary in the team’s loss to NC State. The senior should give Virginia a welcome boost in his return next weekend. Redshirt senior D’Angelo Amos started in Blount’s place against the Wolfpack.

Blount (6'1/190) received a run-defense grade of 87.4 from PFF for his work in the fall. Tops over FSU’s Hamsah Nasirildeen (86.5), Clemson’s Tanner Muse (81.5), Syracuse’s Evan Foster (80.8) and Clemson’s K’Von Wallace (80.2). Looking at his traditional statistical body of work from last fall, Blount logged 63 tackles (5.0 for loss), five passes defensed, two interceptions and two forced fumbles across 11 games (starting five). He sat out spring practice due to an ankle injury but looks to be good to go for fall camp. With Juan Thornhill off to the NFL, UVA HC Bronco Mendenhall figures to rely on Blount all the more this coming season.

Blount (6'1/190) suffered the ankle injury against Pitt. He’s one of the best returning defenders for the Cavaliers, as he picked off two passes and had five tackles for loss to go along with 63 others in 2018. He should be fine for the start of the regular season.

This has been a brutal game for the Cavaliers in terms of injuries, as they have already lost Juan Thornhill and Mandy Alonso as well. Blount was able to get up on his own, but he should be considered questionable -- at best -- to return against the Panthers.