Lovely linebackers: Al Groh's torrid affair with linebackers has made Virginia the place to be for future Lawrence Taylors.(Atlantic Coast)(University of Virginia)

Al Groh loves linebackers. Loves talking about them. Loves coaching them. Loves recruiting them. It all makes perfect sense, since his professional life has been all about the position--from his time in the 1970s at North Carolina, when he nurtured a young Lawrence Taylor, through stints with the Giants, Browns, Patriots and Jets. Linebackers, linebackers, linebackers.

So, when the Virginia coach starts getting enthusiastic about his second line of defense, it merits attention. The Cavaliers' 3-4 scheme is built around linebackers, and as Virginia roars toward national prominence, its crop of big and fast hard-hitters will be its symbol.

"We want to be the best place in the country for young linebackers," Groh says. "It's a mutual benefit. We need NFL-style linebackers, and those players need a home. This is the best defense for linebackers to play, because they have to do everything."

Groh admits there's still "room in the stable" for more talented players at the position, but the thoroughbreds already eating oats in Charlottesville are impressive. And the newcomers could be amazing.

The top holdover is sophomore outside man Darryl Blackstock. A converted end who admittedly did little more than rush the passer in high school, he had 10 sacks last year and by season's end was one of the ACC's most complete defenders. Groh thinks so much of Blackstock that he gave him number 56--L.T.'s old calling card.

"I'm not going to say anybody is the next Lawrence Taylor, but that doesn't diminish what Darryl can be," says Groh.

For an encore, Blackstock plans to become even more productive. At 6-4, 230, he has the size and heft Groh wants in his linebackers. Redshirt freshmen Ahmad Brooks (6-4, 249) and Kai Parham (6-3, 238), both of whom could be starting on the inside by midseason, are two more super-sized examples. Brooks is one of the fastest players on the team, and Parham is stronger than many linemen.