Every successful team has one.
When the chips are down, he can step up and snatch victory from the jaws of defeat.
He is the one whose number people paint on their chests before the game, and the face that dominates the media guide and the local news shows.
He is the impact player, the difference maker, the true leader of a team.
The Virginia Cavalier football team was fortunate to have such a player for the last four years, with defensive lineman Chris Long.
Although the defensive line is not where most people look for franchise players, Long certainly made a tremendous and visible impact on the gridiron, and not just the mark he left while planting opposing quarterbacks into the turf of Scott Stadium.
His safety against Maryland helped jump start a roller coaster 2007 season where the Cavaliers won an NCAA-record five games by two points or less. It was deemed the play of the season by Virginia fans, and led the Cavaliers to its first January Bowl in the new century.
He helped put a name and a playing style to Virginia coach Al Groh’s signature 3-4 defense, and had the Cavaliers just one win away from tying a school record for most wins in a season.
How big an impact did Chris Long have? His jersey was retired before he even finished playing.
However, now the son of NFL Hall-of-Famer Howie Long has left for St. Louis and millions of dollars, while Virginia is simply left with a void the size of the Grand Canyon.
Still, college football season approaches and as many in Charlottesville begin to warm up their grills it is time to examine who will be the impact player of 2008?
Who will become the unquestioned leader of this team and handle the high-pressure situations to lead the Orange and Blue to victory?
Here are a few good candidates:
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