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Pregame depth charts are slowly becoming a thing of the past, with college football programs opting to skip the traditional lineup release as a tactical move.
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N.C. State has largely moved away from releasing weekly depth charts, but it has historically released one ahead of the season opener. Such was not the case this fall. The Wolfpack opted to skip the depth chart — typically released on the day of head coach Dave Doeren’s first game- week news conference — because of uncertainty at several positions.
“I’m not releasing a depth chart yet,” Doeren said Aug. 21. “I will talk about players that you have questions about because there is ongoing competition, and we’re still looking at some of those spots.”
There may not be an official lineup, but with N.C. State and Virginia opening the season with an ACC game, the mandated availability report gives an idea of who won’t be in the lineup.
Seven Wolfpack players were listed as “out” ahead of Saturday afternoon’s matchup, while 16 Cavaliers are allegedly unavailable.
It doesn’t necessarily change how a team prepares, though. Doeren said it comes down to whether a team is being honest.
“That’s the part you don’t know. I saw one today, and then I looked at the two-deep, and they were different,” he said on Thursday. “We’ll figure out who’s playing for them, and particularly in the first game, there’s going to be adjustments because even if we know 18’s playing at receiver or whatever, and you get out there, we get to see how good that guy is. … It’s a game of adjustments — the first game — big time for both teams.”
Virginia has 31 transfers, while N.C. State has 20. More than 50 players didn’t participate in last year’s meeting, and neither team is certain how those players will be utilized.
“That’s a lot of guys that we didn’t play against last year that are going to be in this game, and the coaches are all the same, but how they use the pieces are different,” Doeren said. “We’ve got to figure out how they’re going to use them. Who are the guys? Are there matchup problems? And they’ve got to do the same thing.”
N.C. State: Isaiah Crowell (NIC), Gus Ritchey (TE), Rylan Vann (OL), Tyreek Copper (WR), Carmelo McKenzie (NG), JJ Ferguson (DE) and Teddy Hoffmann (WR).
Hoffmann is out for the season after testing positive for performance-enhancing drugs. Vann has an undisclosed lower-body injury, and was in a medical boot during Meet the Pack on Aug. 16.
Virginia: Rico Flores (WR), Tim Hamann (K), Dillon Newton-Short (WR), Triston Ward (WR), Alex Dunn (DB), Solomon Beebe (RB), Jack Stevens (RB), Isaiah Reese (LB), Chase Morrison (DT), Tyler Simmons (DT), Noah Hartsoe (OL), Grant Ellinger (OL), Isaiah Robinson (WR), Lukas Ungar (TE), Ezekiel Larry (DE), Bull Richardson (DT) are all unavailable.
Beebe, a junior UAB transfer, was a solid pickup for the Cavaliers. He played in 22 games for Alabama-Birmingham. He rushed for 419 career yards and seven touchdowns in two seasons, with 338 yards and six scores taking place last year. While Middle Tennessee transfer Jekail Middlebrook was the favorite to earn the starting role, Beebe’s absence could affect the room’s depth.
Flores was listed as a possible starter when the Cavaliers released their depth chart this week. TyLyric Coleman was listed behind Flores.
Kam Robinson (LB) and Corey Costner (SAF) were listed as questionable. Robinson, one of the team’s most productive linebackers prior to an injury last season, was listed on the initial depth chart. UVA Head Coach Tony Elliott told reporters this week, however, that Robinson will be a game-time decision.
“He’s back in practice, moving around, pretty much doing everything,” Elliott said. “This will be a big week, though, as we progress when you look at where his situation is. He’s tracking ahead of schedule based off of what you tend to look at timing-wise with an injury like his. … But it’ll be closer to game time. We’ve got to get through this week. These next couple days are big days to evaluate because we’ll be back in contact.”
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Costner, meanwhile, had an effective freshman season. He recorded 28 tackles, two interceptions, three pass breakups and one forced fumble in 2025.
Virginia is still favored by every major betting site, despite the expected player absences. ESPN lists the Cavaliers as a 4-point favorite, while Hard Rock lists UVA as a 2.5-point favorite.
The Wolfpack has won four in a row against the Cavaliers and six of the last seven. N.C. State is 3-1 in Charlottesville since losing 14-7 on Oct. 28, 2006.
There are several positions still, technically, up for grabs.
Doeren said there are ongoing “rotational battles” and the players continued to compete up until they concluded practice Thursday morning.
“I tell the guys like you earn the right to play when you earn trust from us in practice and in meetings,” Doeren said. “The more plays you’re making, the fewer mistakes you’re making, you’re elevating your playing time. … They were doing it today. Guys were straining and running around making plays. It’s fun to watch. It’s nice to have some competitive depth because it always makes you practice better if you’re in one of those situations as a player.”
Despite question marks around several positions, there are a handful that should be set.
CJ Bailey is the presumed quarterback, with Duke Scott in the backfield as running back 1. Bailey enters his third year as a starter and has experience against nearly every ACC opponent. Scott played behind older backs in his previous years, but he proved late last season he could be a starter and continued that into the offseason.
The offensive line should feature Teague Andersen (LT), Kamen Smith (LG), Spike Sowells (C), Yousef Mugharbil (RG) and Jimarion McCrimon (RT). Andersen and McCrimon played most of their games last year at right and left tackle, respectively, so it’s unclear whether they will once again play at those positions or make the swap.
Keenan Jackson has started 13 games at wide receiver, and he will likely resume that position again. JoJo Trader and Davion Dozier are favorites for one of the receiver spots, while Victor Snow has received praise this season and could find himself as an inside receiver and a punt returner.
Josiah Victor may step into the starting nose tackle role after KaTron Evans’ inability to participate early in fall camp. Defensive line coach Elisha Shaw said this week, however, that he hopes to get Evans into the game this weekend. Harvey Dyson (JACK), Isaiah Shirley (DE) and Joseph Adedire (DE) are favorites for the line as well.
Jackson Vick has started 10 games for the Wolfpack at nickel and should regain his spot. Brian Nelson (CB) is also expected to start. Safeties King Mack and Ronnie Royal have practiced with the starters, but Tristan Teasdell and Asaad Brown are familiar with the position. There is veteran experience in the secondary that could make choosing starters more difficult.
Pending any major changes, Kanoah Vinesett should return to his starting spot at kicker and Aiden Arias should be the long snapper. Jackson Waller, a transfer from Arkansas State, was brought in to replace longtime punter Caden Noonkester.
Linebacker and tight end probably have the most uncertainty. Tight end Hunter Provience has the most experience after winning an FCS national championship with Montana State, but he is replacing three players who play professionally. Popo Aguirre, AJ Richardson and Da’Kaari Nelson are three favorites to earn major playing time at linebacker.
Ultimately, everyone will have to wait and see exactly who starts and how the rotations play out.
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