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Forty-one Virginia football players earn their jersey numbers for 2018

Six changes so far from the 2017 roster

NCAA Football: Virginia at North Carolina Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

One of the unique traditions instilled by Bronco Mendenhall when he arrived in Charlottesville was allowing the Virginia Cavaliers’ captains to select which players had earned the right to select a jersey number. The tradition continued for a third season over the weekend, as 41 players have chosen their numbers for 2018.

2018 UVA football jersey numbers

Number Name Position
Number Name Position
1 Jordan Ellis TB
2 Joe Reed WR
3 Bryce Perkins QB
4 Olamide Zaccheaus HB
5 Tim Harris CB
6 PK Kier TB
7 Chris Moore OLB/FS
8 Hasise Dubois WR
9 Dominic Sheppard ILB
10 Jamari Peacock FB
11 Charles Snowden OLB
13 Chris Peace OLB
15 De'Vante Cross WR
16 Richard Burney DE
17 Malcolm Cook ILB
18 Ben Hogg WR
20 Nick Grant CB
21 Juan Thornhill SS
25 Lamont Atkins TB
28 Brenton Nelson FS
29 Joey Blount FS
31 Chris Sharp TB
32 Darrius Bratton DB
33 Zane Zandier LB
34 Bryce Hall CB
37 Jordan Mack ILB
40 C.J. Stalker ILB
44 Tanner Cowley TE
46 Evan Butts TE
47 Lester Coleman P
54 Ryan Nelson OT
56 Matt Gahm OLB
58 Eli Hanback DT
69 Chris Glaser OT
71 Marcus Applefield OL
77 Jake Fieler OG/C
78 R.J. Proctor OG
79 Dillon Reinkensmeyer OT
84 Terrell Jana WR
91 Mandy Alonso DE
99 Joe Spaziani QB/LS

No word yet on which player got to pick first overall. Jordan Ellis carried that honor each of the last two seasons.

Six of the players have changed jersey numbers from the 2017 campaign:

  • #6 PK Kier (last year: 26; Kurt Benkert was #6)
  • #7 Chris Moore (last year: 39; Doni Dowling was 7 until taking Tim Harris’ #5)
  • #9 Dominic Sheppard (last year: 30; Andrew Brown was #9)
  • #10 Jamari Peacock (last year: 27; Kirk Garner was #10)
  • #11 Charles Snowden (last year: 38; Joe Spaziani was #11)
  • #99 Joe Spaziani (last year: 11; no one wore #99)

There are enough jersey-earners to field an entire starting offense: 6 offensive linemen, quarterback Bryce Perkins, four tailbacks, Peacock at fullback, O.Z. the great and powerful, two tight ends and five wide receivers.

On the other side, three defensive linemen earned numbers. There are nine linebackers behind them (the most of any position group), plus eight defensive backs.

Spaziani can snap it to punter Lester Coleman, but no placekicker has earned a number yet.

Additional jersey selections were previously made each Friday. Look for plenty more in the three weeks before the season opener against Richmond.