With Virginia’s season opener against William and Mary fast approaching, word out of preseason camp is the offensive line has shown improvement, but remains something of a concern for the Cavaliers.
One spot that seems to be locked down and giving the UVa coaching staff a bit of comfort is right tackle, with graduate transfer Brandon Pertile making a positive impression during his first few weeks in the program.
The Virginia coaches have been a big fan of Pertile’s since his high school days, recruiting him heavily when they were still at BYU. But Pertile’s route to finally playing for Virginia head coach Bronco Mendenhall and offensive line coach Garett Tujague was a long one.
The 6-5, 315-pounder from Clearwater, Fla., signed with Georgia State out of high school, but played only one season there before transferring to Mesa Community College in Arizona. There he missed most of the season with an injury, but was a three-star rated recruit who eventually chose Oklahoma State over offers from Florida and South Florida.
But Pertile was never a comfortable fit with the Cowboys, who continually shifted him to different positions. He only played in three games in two seasons at OSU.
So despite having the experience of a graduate transfer, Pertile really hasn’t played significant game action since 2013, when he started four games as true freshman. Perhaps the Cavaliers landed a player who brings the combination of size, talent and experience they were sorely lacking last year when they gave up 36 sacks and produced the fewest rushing yards in the ACC.
Keeping senior quarterback Kurt Benkert healthy and with time to throw is likely the key to Virginia making any big strides in 2017. Benkert has at times shown an ability to make plays and has a great arm, but his season went downhill in 2016 as injuries took their toll.
It certainly sounds like Pertile is eager to get back on the field with some continuity in terms of responsibility and expectations. Tujague said there’s been quite a bit of position shuffling among the offensive line in the preseason, but Pertile has been a mainstay at right tackle. There’s even been talk in Charlottesville the newcomer could be one of the Cavs’ offensive captains.
With only one season of eligibility remaining, Pertile is hoping to help bolster a quick turnaround after a 2-10 record last year, Mendenhall’s first at Virginia.
“We’re brand new guys trying to earn a spot,” Pertile told reporters in July. “We’re trying to take this team back where it needs to be. In bowl games.”