Virginia’s depth chart for Week 7 was released Monday, and it contained a handful of additions to the Cavalier defense. The defensive secondary boasts a new starter and a significant shuffle among the backups. Meanwhile, some interesting new names have appeared up on the defensive line and among the linebackers. UVA’s defense has suffered through a spate of injuries in 2016, and the new depth chart reflects the adjustments made by head coach Bronco Mendenhall in response.
Virginia’s secondary has suffered the worst from the early-season injury bug, and this week’s depth chart includes a number of adjustments. Bear with me: true freshman Bryce Hall is now listed as the starting boundary corner after snagging two interceptions against Duke. Redshirt freshman Kareem Gibson, who started at boundary corner against the Blue Devils, will now back up sophomore Juan Thornhill at field corner. Senior Wilfred Wahee is listed as second-string corner behind Hall despite playing safety for most of his career. Redshirt freshman Chris Sharp now listed as second-string free safety behind junior Quin Blanding, and junior Kirk Garner now listed as second-string strong safety behind senior Kelvin Rainey.
The new defensive line depth chart includes seniors Mark Hall and Andre Miles-Remond, and true freshman Juwan Moye. Hall was added as a third-string defensive end behind Andrew Brown and Jack Powers, while Moye has earned the “OR” designation at the second-string end position behind Eli Hanback. Moye and Hall have seen most of their playing time during obvious passing downs. Miles-Redmond didn’t didn’t appear for the Cavaliers until the Central Michigan game. He’s earned the “OR” designation at second-string nose tackle spot behind Donte Wilkins.
The new linebacker depth chart includes sophomore Cory Jones and true freshman Landan Word. Jones started at outside linebacker for UVA against Richmond. He recorded two tackles in the loss, but hasn’t played since. He now appears with the “OR” designation on the second-string behind Jordan Mack. Word, meanwhile, earned the “OR” designation at second-string inside linebacker behind Zach Bradshaw.
Virginia also revealed two changes to its special teams. Sam Hayward has earned the “OR” designation at starting placekicker alongside Alex Furbank, and Olamide Zaccheaus now listed as potential holder along with Matt Johns. UVA’s offensive depth chart remained unchanged. The full depth chart is below, courtesy of a tweet by Cavs Corner.
Updated #UVa depth chart ahead of Saturday’s game against Pitt. pic.twitter.com/R1mwzAbCXW
— CavsCorner (@Cavs_Corner) October 10, 2016