Projecting the Virginia Football Depth Chart for the 2023 Season
We're officially one week away from the start of the 2023 Virginia football season. As UVA's opener against Tennessee in Nashville draws near, we're taking a stab at predicting Virginia's week 1 depth chart. We'll get a look at the actual depth chart when it's released some time this week, but this is our final post-fall camp projection for UVA's offensive, defensive, and special teams depth charts.
Offense
Quarterback
Tony Muskett
Anthony Colandrea
Analysis: There's no surprises or speculation here, with Tony Elliott confirming last week that Monmouth transfer Tony Muskett will indeed start at quarterback for Virginia with true freshman Anthony Colandrea backing him up. Depth is certainly an issue, but the Cavaliers are pleased with what they have with Muskett and they're excited for Colandrea's future at Virginia.
Running Back
Perris Jones OR Kobe Pace
Mike Hollins
Analysis: Virginia listed two running backs on its depth chart for most of the 2022 season, so even though it's the deepest offensive position on the team this year with upwards of 5-7 players capable of getting significant carries, we're not going to go crazy listing every player on the depth chart. For now, we'll stick with Perris Jones, Virginia's lead back from last season, and Clemson transfer Kobe Pace splitting the bulk of the carries to begin the season. We have Mike Hollins right behind those two on the depth chart and Xavier Brown will likely crack that mix when he returns from his elbow injury. Amaad Foston and Cody Brown are waiting in the wings and they're not very far off. The UVA coaching staff confirmed that the rushing attack will be carried out by committee and then they'll feed the hot hand during each game. Expect each of these guys to get a chance this season.
Left Tackle
McKale Boley
Blake Steen OR Charlie Patterson
Left Guard
Noah Josey
Snoop Leota-Amaama
Center
Ty Furnish
Noah Hartsoe OR Jestus Johnson
Right Guard
Brian Stevens
Jestus Johnson
Right Tackle
Ugonna Nnanna
Jimmy Christ OR Jack Witmer
Analysis: There's a lot of moving parts on the offensive line - mostly due to another offseason of heavy personnel turnover at the position plus an assortment of fall-camp injuries - so this is the most difficult position group to predict. Ty Furnish is essentially a lock to start at center. Jestus Johnson was his backup last season and even started a game, but Johnson is also working at guard, so we have him listed twice. Noah Hartsoe is the other potential backup at center. Dayton transfer Brian Stevens missed some time in fall camp in concussion protocol, but should be starting at guard if healthy along with Noah Josey. Houston transfer Ugonna Nnanna worked as a guard earlier in camp, but has since shifted out to tackle according to Tony Elliott. We've got Nnanna and McKale Boley, who has dealt with an injury as well, starting at the tackle spots. Penn State transfer Jimmy Christ missed the bulk of fall camp, but he should be a prime candidate to backup the tackle positions when healthy.
Wide Receiver [Outside]
Malachi Fields
JR Wilson
Demick Starling
TyLyric Coleman
Analysis: Fields, Wilson, and Starling make up Virginia's new trio on the outside. Malachi Fields is a popular pick for a breakout season as he missed most of last year with an injury, but then shined in UVA's last game of the season with five catches for 58 yards and a touchdown. Wilson also played well in the last couple of games and the UVA coaching staff has spoken highly of Starling in fall camp. TyLyric Coleman has been mentioned as a possible impact freshman.
Slot Receiver
Malik Washington
Ethan Davies
Suderian Harrison
Jaden Gibson
Analysis: Washington is Virginia's replacement for Keytaon Thompson and Billy Kemp IV in the slot. He was very productive at Northwestern, posting 65 receptions for 694 yards against Big Ten competition in 2022. Davies, meanwhile, has been solid and reliable for the Cavaliers since walking on to the team last season. Harrison and Gibson have shown very promising flashes as freshmen and could see legitimate snaps on the field in their first collegiate seasons.
Tight End
Grant Misch
Sackett Wood
Analysis: With Misch and Wood coming back this season, this position is as clear-cut as quarterback in terms of what to expect on the depth chart. There are some other tight ends on the roster who could contribute - Karson Gay, Josh Rawlings, and freshman TeKai Kirby come to mind - but Misch and Wood are the definite top two.
Defense
Defensive End
Kam Butler
Paul Akere
Bandit
Chico Bennett
Ben Smiley
Nose Tackle
Jahmeer Carter
Olasunkonmi Agunloye
Defensive Tackle
Aaron Faumui
Michael Diatta
Analysis: John Rudzinski's defense as a whole is difficult to project with a number of "hybrid" positions that function as both defensive linemen and linebackers or linebackers and defensive backs. There have also been multiple players shifting positions, particularly in the secondary. Starting up front, Chico Bennett is the big storyline as he recovers from a bizarre non-contact knee injury suffered during fall camp. Virginia is hopeful to get him back for the start of the season but that's not guaranteed. Defensive ends Kam Butler and Paul Akere, who both figure to play a lot of snaps this season, could both switch to the hybrid Bandit position if Bennett misses time. Tony Elliott is high on Ben Smiley to have a breakout season as well. Jahmeer Carter and Aaron Faumui headline the nose tackle and defensive tackle spots and Olasunkonmi Agunloye and Michael Diatta provide depth. The defensive line is expected to be Virginia's strongest unit this season. If Chico Bennett gets healthy, that's a near certainty.
Middle Linebacker (MIKE)
James Jackson
Stevie Bracey
Weak Side Linebacker (WILL)
Josh Ahern
Lex Long OR Trey McDonald
Kam Robinson OR Josh McCarron
Analysis: Virginia has a significant hole to fill at linebacker with the departure of Nick Jackson, the team's leader in tackles (by a wide margin) in each of the last three seasons. James Jackson and Josh Ahern were the primary WILL linebackers last season and both are candidates to shift over and call the defense from the MIKE spot. For now, we've got James Jackson getting the nod in that spot with Josh Ahern sticking to the weak side. Stevie Bracey should get significant playing time after appearing in seven games as a true freshman. Trey McDonald and Josh McCarron should contribute and UVA will certainly find a way to get highly-touted recruit Kam Robinson on the field. Robinson projects as a MIKE linebacker later in his career, but as a freshman, he isn't likely to see much time in a position that relies so heavily on experience and leadership.
Left Corner
Sam Westfall
Elijah Gaines
Right Corner
Malcolm Greene
Dave Herard
SPUR
Jonas Sanker
Lex Long
Free Safety
Coen King
Tayvonn Kyle
Strong Safety
Antonio Clary
Aidan Ryan
Analysis: We've got Lex Long listed again here, as he could very well slide back into the secondary if needed, in particular at the hybrid linebacker/safety SPUR position. Jonas Sanker was the starter at SPUR last season (and played very well) and is likely to fill that role again this fall. Antonio Clary and Coen King are expected to start at safety, but Aidan Ryan and Iowa State transfer Tayvonn Kyle provide high-quality depth at those spots. UVA has the task of replacing the production of the first All-ACC cornerback duo in program history. To replace the departed Anthony Johnson and Fentrell Cypress II, the Cavaliers will turn to Clemson transfer Malcolm Greene and SMU transfer Sam Westfall as well as returning seniors Elijah Gaines and Dave Herard. Junior William Simpkins III, who missed significant time in fall camp, could also factor into the cornerback situation when healthy.
Special Teams
Punter
Daniel Sparks
Placekicker
Will Bettridge
Matt Ganyard
Kickoff
Matt Ganyard
Holder
Jared Rayman
Long-snapper
Aidan Livingston
Punt Return
Suderian Harrison OR Ethan Davies
Kick Return
Malik Washington OR Demick Starling
Suderian Harrison
Analysis: There's no drama at punter as Daniel Sparks returns after leading the conference in average yards per punt and was the team's lone selection to the Preseason All-ACC Football Team. Apparently there's a "heated competition" ongoing at placekicker between sophomore Will Bettridge, who appeared in seven games as a freshman, and 34-year-old walk-on Matt Ganyard. Both Bettridge and Ganyard are contending for placekicking and kickoffs. Special teams coordinator Keith Gaither said he likes the idea of having a different player handling each duty, so we're projecting Bettridge as the placekicker and Ganyard on kickoffs. Jared Rayman will reprise his role as the holder and Aidan Livingston should handle long-snapping. Gaither mentioned several wide receivers and running backs as possible candidates for the punt and kick return spots. It's hard to guess who's going to end up occupying those positions on opening day, but freshman Suderian Harrison is an option at both.
We'll have the official depth chart posted on Cavaliers Now when it's released this week. Virginia opens the 2023 season against Tennessee on Saturday at 12pm at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee.
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