Jeff White’s Twitter | Subscribe to UVA Insider Articles | UVA Bowl Media Guide | Belk Bowl Central
By Jeff White (jwhite@virginia.edu)
VirginiaSports.com
CHARLOTTESVILLE– By the end of training camp in August, it was clear that true freshman Aaron Faumui would be part of Virginia’s rotation on the defensive line.
The outlook for redshirt freshman Tommy Christ was not as promising. But much has changed on the front line of UVA’s 3-4 defense over the past four months.
Two of the three linemen who entered the season as starters – redshirt junior Richard Burney and sophomore Mandy Alonso – were lost for health reasons along the way. That’s meant an expanded role for the 6-5, 285-pound Christ, who regularly plays alongside Faumui and the veteran of the group, redshirt junior Eli Hanback, when the Cavaliers are in their base defense.
“Unfortunately, we had injuries, but it was nice to step up and finally feel like I have a role on this defense,” Christ said after a recent practice. “It was kind of nerve-wracking at first, but I feel like I’m definitely getting more comfortable at my position.”
Virginia closes its third season under head coach Bronco Mendenhall on Saturday in Charlotte, N.C. At noon, in a game ABC will televise, UVA (7-5) meets South Carolina (7-5) in the Belk Bowl at Bank of America Stadium.
This is the second straight postseason appearance for the Wahoos, who lost to Navy in last year’s Military Bowl. Christ did not play in that game, which capped an unproductive fall for him.
“This year compared to last year, I feel like I’m getting better every month, taking steps,” Christ said.
His position coach is Vic So’oto. Christ, who wears jersey No. 50, continues to improve, So’oto said, “and he has to. There’s no one else. He’s done a good job to this point, and we’re just getting him ready [for the Belk Bowl].”
Christ, who’s from Loudoun County, starred at Dominion High School in Sterling. That his sport of choice became football was no surprise.
His father, Mike, played at the U.S. Naval Academy. Tommy has three brothers, the oldest of whom, Mike, played football at Monmouth. Another brother, Matt, is on the team at Virginia Tech, and the youngest brother, Jimmy, plays at Dominion High.
Tommy Christ was a well-regarded recruit who chose UVA over such schools as NC State, Boston College, Maryland, West Virginia and Pittsburgh. But during a season in which the Cavaliers played 17 true freshmen, Christ was one of the few who never saw action in a game in 2017.
“I was not in good standing last year,” Christ recalled. “When I came in, I was out of shape. Then I got mono, and I was just behind the eight-ball. The whole season was just sort of a mess for me. It was not an ideal way of starting my college career, but it was definitely an eye-opener for the steps I have to take.
“It was definitely a reality check for me last year, and going into spring ball I took that and built off of it.”
So’oto said: “He struggled a lot last year, and I think because of that struggle he’s been able to contribute this year.”
Christ cites Hanback, a three-year starter, as a positive influence.
“Eli has sort of taken [the younger D-linemen] under his wing,” Christ said. “Just talking with him, he’s a real good role model for us. He’s hard-working, and he’s consistent. That’s my biggest problem. I need to be more consistent.”
Christ made strides during spring ball, but was still well down the depth chart when training camp opened in August. He made his UVA debut in the season opener, a one-sided win over Richmond at Scott Stadium, but appeared in only three of the next eight games.
He was dressing for home and away games, “but I was not necessarily in the rotation,” Christ said. “I got some reps in the first game, but throughout the [first two-thirds of the] season I was sort of just a backup, and I knew it was because I was losing focus again. But with the injuries, it helped me realize that I have the opportunity and I have the ability. I definitely feel like I’ve taken big steps this season.”
Christ started two of Virginia’s final three regular-season games. For the season, he has eight tackles, including a sack, and one pass break-up.
“Really, once you get into a game and you understand what a game feels like, it changes your whole perspective,” said So’oto, a former NFL player. “I think the urgency and understanding of what is needed of him has changed his mindset and changed what he does.”
Christ has excellent size and athletic ability for his position. With three seasons of eligibility left, he has time to develop, and that bodes well for the Cavaliers’ D-line.
“He’s just the tip of the iceberg, really,” So’oto said. “He knows he has a lot of potential, a lot more to give and a lot more to gain, especially this offseason. He’s still kind of at the base of his journey to be a really good player.”