Depth Chart Update: Who’s that at cornerback?

The Virginia football team released its Week 3 depth chart on Monday and it contained a big surprise.

Redshirt freshman De’Vante Cross is now listed as a backup at both wide receiver AND cornerback.

“There is a great chance he’ll be playing both ways for us going forward,” said UVA coach Bronco Mendenhall in his weekly press conference.

Cross was initially recruited as a quarterback in 2016. He has been cross training at QB and wide receiver throughout the off-season, and reacted positively to Mendenhall’s quote through his Twitter account.

The Cross news comes as Virginia continues to shuffle its defensive secondary following the injury to senior cornerback Tim Harris. Junior Juan Thornhill is now listed as the starting field corner, with freshman Germane Crowell backing him up. Redshirt freshman Brenton Nelson has assumed Thornhill’s previous starting safety role. Sophomore Chris Moore appears set as the nickel back.

Mendenhall also noted that Harris had successful surgery on his wrist and that he plans to return for a sixth year in 2018.

Elsewhere, true freshman inside linebacker Zane Zandier moved up to the second-string behind senior Micah Kiser. Zandier took the field briefly on Saturday after a leg injury sidelined Kiser for a play. Mendenhall hinted at a larger role for Zandier if he continues to progress.

The depth chart on offense remains the same from last week. One position to watch is at left guard. Virginia shifted Jake Fieler there in the second half against, subbing out senior John Montelus and subbing in redshirt freshman Dillon Reinkensmeyer at center. Mendenhall said that Reinkensmeyer graded out the highest of all Virginia’s linemen against the Hoosiers.

The full depth chart is available below, courtesy of Brad Franklin of Cavs Corner. Virginia hosts the Connecticut Huskies at 12 noon on Saturday.