Predicting Virginia's Two-Deep Depth Chart Ahead of Week One vs Coastal Carolina

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With Virginia football set to host Coastal Carolina in less than two weeks, it's time for our initial depth chart ahead of the Hoos' season opener against the Chanticleers. With a ton of spring transfers finding their place in a loaded roster, we take our first stab at projecting who will start on August 30th, along with a full long-term injury report to keep you up-to-date:
For a link to our depth chart at the start of fall camp: Virginia Football Depth Chart Projection Ahead of Fall Camp
For a full report from Tony Elliott's most recent press conference: Everything From Tony Elliott's Press Conference On Monday
Virginia Football Projected 2025 Depth Chart: Offense
Position | Starter | Backup #1 |
|---|---|---|
QB | Chandler Morris | Daniel Kaelin |
RB | Xavier Brown | J'Mari Taylor |
WR | Trell Harris | Andre Greene Jr. |
WR | Jahmal Edrine | Jayden Thomas |
WR | Cam Ross | Kam Courtney |
TE | Dakota Twitty | Sage Ennis |
LT | McKale Boley | David Wohlabaugh Jr. |
LG | Noah Josey | Grant Ellinger |
C | Brady Wilson | Drake Metcalf |
RG | Kevin Wigenton II | Ethan Sipe |
RT | Wallace Unamba | Ben York |
Virginia Offense Notes
- Quarterbacks: There are no changes from the start of fall camp. Freshman Bjorn Jurgensen and Cole Geer are also on the roster, along with Grady Brosterhous, who was responsible for quarterback sneaks.
- Running Backs: No changes from the start of fall camp. Wyoming transfer Harrison Waylee and junior Noah Vaughn round out the running back room and are expected to garner minutes in what will be a unit that relies on its depth.
- Wide Receivers: Cam Ross has reportedly had a breakout fall camp, leading us to bring him into the starting fold. For more on Ross: Could Cam Ross Be the Next Great Wide Receiver for Virginia Football?
- Tight Ends: No changes from the start of fall camp.
- Offensive Line: Makilan Thomas, who was the projected starting right offensive tackle, suffered a broken foot early in camp, leading to the Kentucky transfer Wallace Unamba taking up the starting role. We also have Kevin Wigenton II taking up the starting right guard spot.
Virginia Football Projected 2025 Depth Chart: Defense
Position | Starter | Backup #1 |
|---|---|---|
DE | Fisher Camac | Daniel Rickert |
NT | Jahmeer Carter | Anthony Britton |
DT | Jason Hammond | Hunter Osborne |
Bandit DE | Mitchell Melton | Cazeem Moore |
WILL LB | James Jackson | Maddox Marcellus |
MIKE LB | Trey McDonald | Stevie Bracey |
SPUR | Caleb Hardy | Landon Danley |
LC | Donavan Platt | Kevon Gray |
RC | Emmanuel Karnley | Jordan Robinson |
FS | Devin Neal | Christian Charles |
SS | Antonio Clary | Da'Marcus Crosby |
Virginia Defense Notes
- Defensive Tackles: No changes on the interior defensive line for the Cavaliers. Fresno State transfer Jacob Holmes has also received praise during fall camp and could find time this year.
- Defensive Ends: On the outside, we moved Fisher Camac into the starting lineup, pairing him with Ohio State transfer Mitchell Melton on the opposite end. Behind the two of them, we have Tennessee Tech transfer Daniel Rickert emerging into a second-string role.
- Linebackers: With Kam Robinson out for the next few weeks, we have Trey McDonald slotting into the starting lineup to begin the season alongside James Jackson.
- Cornerbacks: From the Hoos' cornerback room, Emmanuel Karnley, Donavan Platt, and Jordan Robinson have emerged as three prominent players, along with sophomore Kevon Gray and freshman Lukas Sanker.
- Safeties: No changes, although if Antonio Clary is not ready by week one, expect Da'Marcus Crosby to slot in until Clary is fully healthy.
Virginia Football Projected 2025 Depth Chart: Special Teams
Position | Starter | Backup |
|---|---|---|
Punter | Daniel Sparks | Elijah Slibeck |
Kickoff | Daniel Sparks | Jorge Diaz Nicolas |
Placekicker | Will Bettridge | Jorge Diaz Nicolas |
Punt Return | Suderian Harrison | Cam Ross |
Kickoff Return | Cam Ross | Josiah Abdullah |
Long Snapper | Bryce Robinson | Hayden Rollison |
Virginia Special Teams Notes
- One change with Jorge Diaz Nicolas slotting in behind Will Bettridge.
Long Term Injury Report
Long Term Injury Report |
|---|
Jam Jackson (Knee) - Out for the Season |
Monroe Mills (ACL) - Out for the Season |
Dre Walker (Leg) - Multiple Months |
Virginia begins its season on Saturday, August 30th at 6pm agaisnt Coastal Carolina at Scott Stadium in Charlottesville, Virginia.
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Aidan has been writing for Virginia Cavaliers On SI since January of 2023 and covers UVA football, basketball, men's soccer, and men's lacrosse. He is from New York and is currently in his fourth year at the University of Virginia, enrolled in the M.S. in Accounting program.
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