Spring practices are complete at Virginia and the spring depth chart (view it here in PDF form) is in place. As discussed Tuesday, Greyson Lambert is listed as the starting quarterback but it is time to take a look at other skill positions on offense. This article zeroes in on the tight ends and receivers.

First, things are thin at tight end after Jake McGee’s decision to transfer. McGee led the team in receptions and receiving yards last season despite missing one game. McGee posted 43 catches for 395 yards and two touchdowns in 2013, which followed 28 receptions, 374 yards, and five touchdowns in 2012. His move leaves only three tight ends on the roster at this time. Senior Zachary Swanson is the listed starter with junior Rob Burns next in line. Sophomore Mario Nixon is the only other tight end, but he remains an injury concern and isn’t even on the depth chart. That could open a path for Evan Butts, a true freshman from Pennsylvania to enter the equation in the fall especially since he also has long snapper skills and Matt Fortin has departed to pursue a spot with the Navy Seals.

Swanson brings the most experience to the fold after getting significant snaps as a fullback early in his career and at tight end last season. In total, Swanson has started 12 games (nine last season at tight end) and made 35 appearances in his career. While he is not the flashy, pass-catching commodity that McGee represents, Swanson does have 27 catches, 261 yards, and one touchdown as a Hoo. Burns, who flipped from defense, saw his first consistent action last season as he appeared in all 12 games with one start. Both, and in particular Swanson, played a significant role in the UVa running game last season that produced a 1,000-yard rusher in Kevin Parks and three running backs that averaged at least 4.0 yards per carry (minimum of 40 carries).

When Virginia uses a tight end, expect both Swanson and Burns to log most of the snaps. Of course, there may be fewer tight end formations, something both the depth chart and McGee’s pre-transfer move to hybrid receiver suggest is possible if not likely. There are now three receiver spots (X, W, Z) on the depth chart instead of two as had been the case all of last fall, Steve Fairchild’s first as offensive coordinator. The X and Z receivers often will be aligned to the outside edges of the formation, while the W receiver often will be in the slot.

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