After an impressive season-opening 48-7 win over Coastal Carolina inside Scott Stadium on Saturday, Head Coach Tony Elliott and the Virginia Cavaliers released their updated depth chart on Tuesday ahead of this weekend’s ACC opener at the NC State Wolfpack.
Elliott also announced Tuesday that quarterback Chandler Morris will be good to go this weekend after leaving Virginia’s win over the Chanticleers in the third quarter with
a left shoulder injury. Thanks to Morris’s positive injury update, the ’Hoos managed to escape week one relatively injury-free, meaning there weren’t many changes to this week’s depth chart:
Running back Noah Vaughn worked his way onto the depth chart after a strong showing against the Chanticleers. The 5-foot-9, 199-pound junior wasn’t listed before week one, but ran for 45 yards on 10 carries against Coastal Carolina.
Vaughn appeared in eight games last season, including a start in the season finale at Virginia Tech, and it looks like he’s earned himself a bigger role moving forward.
Landon Danley is now listed ahead of Trey McDonald at middle linebacker. Danley and McDonald were listed as co-starters before week one, but Danley impressed with a team-high seven tackles against the Chanticleers and a huge hit on quarterback MJ Morris.
Nevertheless, McDonald should still see plenty of action against the Wolfpack as Virginia looks to stop a strong rushing attack led by Daylan Smothers.
Donovan Platt is now listed as a starter at cornerback. Platt wasn’t listed as a starter before week one, but Elliott said Tuesday that he’ll now rotate in with Jordan Robinson and Emmanuel Karnley. Platt, a transfer from Army, had two tackles and three pass break-ups in an impressive UVA debut against the Chanticleers.
Christian Charles is now an OR at starting free safety with Ethan Minter. Charles, a graduate transfer from Tennessee, had four tackles and one pass break-up on Saturday.
With plenty of ’Hoos seeing action in week one thanks to Virginia’s decisive win over Coastal Carolina, there’s still a lot of ‘ORs’ on the depth chart. The rotation will continue to work itself out as the competition ramps up, beginning with this weekend’s tilt at NC State. Still, the plethora of options up and down the roster for Elliott to work with is a testament to Virginia’s improved depth in 2025.
