Virginia Football Releases Depth Chart for Season Opener vs. Tennessee

Analysis and key takeaways from the release of UVA's depth chart for Saturday's season opener against Tennessee

Virginia football released its depth chart for the 2023 season opener against Tennessee on Saturday in Nashville. See UVA's complete depth chart in the image below:

Takeaways

• Chico Bennett is not listed on the depth chart, so it appears he will be unavailable for the Tennessee game as he recovers from a knee injury suffered in fall camp. Tony Elliott says he anticipates that Bennett could be ready to return for the JMU game. Kam Butler and Paul Akere are listed at the Bandit position, while Ben Smiley will start at defensive end. Read Virginia's full injury report for the Tennessee game here.
• Virginia lists three tailbacks on the depth chart: Perris Jones, Mike Hollins, and Kobe Pace. 
• Tony Elliott was pleased to report some significant progress in terms of the health of the offensive line, with McKale Boley and Brian Stevens returning to practice. The depth chart lists the following five as the starting offensive line: LT McKale Boley, LG Noah Josey, C Ty Furnish, RG Brian Stevens, RT Ugonna Nnanna
• At wide receiver, Malachi Fields and Demick Starling are starting on the outside, with JR Wilson and true freshman Jaden Gibson backing them up. Malik Washington is starting in the slot with freshman Suderian Harrison as his backup. 
• James Jackson will start as the Mike linebacker with freshman Kam Robinson behind him and Josh Ahern is starting at the Will linebacker spot with Stevie Bracey backing him up. 
• In the secondary, Coen King is the starter at left cornerback and UVA has the right cornerback position listed as Sam Westfall OR Malcolm Greene, so there's still a little bit of uncertainty there going into the season opener. Tayvonn Kyle is the starter at SPUR, while Jonas Sanker and Lex Long are starting at the safety spots. 
• Moving over to special teams, Will Bettridge is listed as the starting placekicker, while 34-year-old walk-on Matt Ganyard will handle kickoffs for the Cavaliers. 
• Ethan Davies is listed as the punt returner with Suderian Harrison behind him. 
• Demick Starling will start as the kick returner with Malik Washington behind him. 

READ MORE: Virginia Football Injury Report: Hoos In/Out for the Tennessee Game?

Virginia opens the 2023 football season against Tennessee on Saturday at 12pm at Nissan Stadium in Nashville. The game will be broadcast on ABC. 

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