OL York has worked his way into the right tackle competition

Fall camp is usually a time to firm up position battles and work to get the playbook down before the season opener. That’s true for UVa in this camp, but there may be more weight than ever on the position battles, as there are so many new faces across the roster.

That’s certainly true on the offensive line, where coach Terry Heffernan is managing several position battles as camp progresses, and has a lot more options than he typically would to choose from.

The right tackle position has been hit by injuries though, with Louisville transfer Monroe Mills going down with a season-ending injury in spring practice, and Arkansas State transfer Malikan Thomas breaking his foot early in fall camp.

Those injuries are certainly disappointing for the program, but open up competition opportunities for others. 

Injuries open the door for new faces

One of the players looking to fill the right tackle void is second-year Ben York, who redshirted a year ago but has taken a major step forward in his development. York played high school football at Lake Braddock in Fairfax County, and even when he signed out of high school, appeared to have the physical makeup to eventually become a starting tackle at this level.

And now, in just his second fall camp, York might be closer than many expected to seeing the field. 

In one of his recent pressers, Tony Elliott mentioned York’s ascendence and said that the staff may need to trust him to perform, and perhaps sooner than later. He has embraced that challenge in camp.

“It’s definitely a challenge,” York said of being thrust into a potentially significant role during camp and into the season. “Taking more reps in fall camp will be taxing on my body but I feel like I’m rising to the occasion and I feel like I can really help this team out in a big way.”

York has been working on the right side of the line at tackle, where he has taken reps in drills with the first teamers at times during the open portion of fall camp. While York has played at left tackle and could certainly take reps there in the future, he’s back on the right side where he has a lot more playing experience. 

“When I first got here I got moved to left tackle and I played left tackle for a good six, seven months,” the redshirt freshman said. “Now that I’m moved back to right tackle, where I played my entire high school career, I feel comfortable at both positions.”

Making a play for reps

York has quickly gone from freshman learning the ropes to someone who could be counted on to make a difference this season. A big part of his quick development has been investment in his body and strength, where he has seen significant year-over-year gains. 

“I came in and my bench was 315 and my squat was 405,” York said. “And now I’m benching 360, squatting 530. So the strength staff has really helped us to elevate that in a great way.”

In addition to his physical gains, York has taken to the playbook and improving his craft from year one to year two. He said that he owes a lot of the credit for his development to his older teammates, including the tackle that plays on the other side of the line. 

“A big role model of mine in this O-Line room is McKale Boley,” York explained. “I feel like he’s taught me a lot since my first year being here. Just studying his gameplan has led me a long way to where I am now.”

It remains to be seen how big a role York will play in the 2025 season, but his development during fall camp is certainly a good sign for his long-term potential. York could be counted on to play a much larger-than-expected role this fall, and the second-year tackle is optimistic about the type of season the program is going to have. 

“We’re all excited for the season to start,” York said. “We have very good depth going into the season, nothing like we’ve had before. Just watch game one and you’re going to see.”