With Virginia’s first official depth chart now out, one of the clearest takeaways is just how much mileage this roster is carrying into 2026. The offensive line got plenty of attention for its pair of seventh-year players and pair of sixth-year players, but the tight end room deserves a long look too. It’s an experienced group, and that matters for a Virginia team trying to build on a historic 2025 run.
At the top of the chart is Dakota Twitty, and he remains the headliner. The fifth-year tight end from Columbus, N.C., came into college as a wide receiver before moving to the position at 6-foot-5 and now over 245 pounds.
Since then, he’s become one of the more intriguing pass-catching tight ends on the roster. Twitty played seven games in 2023 and caught 10 passes in 2024, then took over the starting role last season.
That 2025 start was uneven at first. Through the opening four weeks, Twitty averaged just 1.5 receptions per game.
Then came Virginia’s upset of then No. 8 Florida State, when he turned in a career-high five catches and flashed the kind of ceiling that makes him such a dangerous matchup.
The momentum stopped a week later against Louisville, when a leg injury ended his season.
Now he’s back healthy for 2026, and the setup looks favorable for a real jump. Twitty’s blocking improved noticeably last season, and he profiles as a tough assignment for any defense trying to sort out Virginia’s passing game. His career numbers may not jump off the page, but by the end of the year he could easily be one of the ACC’s best at the position.
Behind him, Virginia brought in Connor Cox, a fourth-year tight end who has bounced from South Carolina to North Carolina before landing with the Cavaliers. He was ranked as the 29th-highest-rated tight end transfer by 247Sports. Cox only started three games for the Tar Heels in 2025 and finished with five catches for 21 yards, but at 6-foot-6 and 250 pounds, he gives Virginia a big-bodied option who can help in the run game and still offer something as a receiver.
John Rogers rounds out the key backup group. The third-year tight end is the youngest player at the position on the depth chart, and he appeared in 14 games last season. His production was modest - nine receptions for 101 yards - but he did show a feel for timely plays, including a 14-yard catch in overtime against Louisville and two receptions in Virginia’s Gator Bowl win over Missouri.
The bigger picture is pretty clear. Virginia was at its best last season when it leaned into two-tight-end sets, a major reason the offense ripped through the opening month and averaged more than 45 points per game over those first four weeks. Once Twitty went down, that explosiveness never quite returned, even with a surprise late-season breakout from Sage Ennis.
That’s why Twitty matters so much entering this season. He’s a legitimate safety valve for quarterback Beau Pribula and one of the few proven playmakers in a passing game that still has a lot to prove on the outside.
The real question is depth. If Cox or Rogers can take a major step and give Virginia more reliable production, the room looks strong.
If not, the Cavaliers are one injury away from a problem.
In Other News...
Virginia Faces An Early ACC Test Fans Cant Ignore
Virginia gets an early chance to see where it stands when NC State comes to Charlottesville in a matchup that carries a little more weight than a typical September opener. The weekend slate around college football is full of attention-grabbing games, but this one matters directly to the Cavaliers because it gives them a first look at an ACC opponent before the league table has really taken shape.
The broader context makes it even sharper, because the conference calendar is already starting to narrow the margin for error. Virginia can set an early tone at home, while NC State is in the same position of trying to avoid an immediate setback in a race that will feel harder to climb if it starts badly. [Read more 🡒]
Virginia May Open The Season Missing A Key Piece On Offense
Virginias first injury report for the 2026 season opener against N.C. State already gives the game a different feel, with 16 Cavaliers listed out before the teams even take the field. The most notable name on that list is Rico Flores, the projected No. 1 wide receiver, who is dealing with a hamstring injury and appears set to miss the matchup as Virginia tries to settle in for the start of the season.
Kam Robinson adds another layer of uncertainty on the defensive side, since the linebacker is listed as questionable and wont be finalized until closer to kickoff. Several other Virginia and N.C. State players are also working through out or questionable tags, leaving both sidelines to sort through availability late in the week before anyone can really know what the opener will look like. [Read more 🡒]
Virginia Defense Faces Early Test It Cant Afford To Fail
Virginias defense is getting an early measuring stick this week, and defensive coordinator John Rudzinski is treating it like one. As Virginia gets ready for NC State, he pointed to the challenge of C.J. Bailey, whose dual-threat skill set can stress a defense in more than one way and force disciplined play on every snap. Rudzinski said the Cavaliers have already put in work this offseason against similar quarterbacks, which has helped the defense sharpen its approach.
The bigger concern is making sure that preparation holds up once the game gets rolling. Rudzinski also stressed the need to keep the defensive line fresh through rotation, a detail that matters in a matchup like this where pace, scrambling and extended plays can wear a group down quickly. For Virginia, the assignment is clear: translate the offseason progress into a performance sturdy enough to withstand an opponent that can attack from multiple angles. [Read more 🡒]