DC Jon Tenuta is retooling the Cavaliers defense

Published Apr. 23, 2015 10:43 a.m. ET

foxsports

The Cavaliers knew they'd lose a bunch of quality contributors on the defensive side of the ball to graduation, but when defensive end Eli Harold and linebacker Max Valles decided to enter the draft early, Virginia's defense was dumbstruck.

Even though Virginia went 5-7 and did not appear in a bowl game last season, the defensive unit was strong and ranked No. 28 in the nation, according to Jerry Ratcliffe of Cavalier Insider. Now, defensive coordinator Jerry Ratcliffe is faced with the challenge of maintaining the status quo.

Tenuta spent the spring evaluating new personnel and cooking up new pressure packages, Ratcliffe reports. Linebackers coach Mike Archer promises an aggressive defense that attacks the quarterback, too.

It'll be an uphill climb for the Cavaliers, but it's one they must attempt if head coach Mike London is to keep his job beyond 2015.

(h/t Cavalier Insider)