Virginia must replace two of its three most productive receivers from a year ago, but the position remains in solid shape as the season approaches. There is a good mix of experience, style, and potential for coach Marques Hagans to blend in 2015.

Senior Canaan Severin returns as the leader of the pack after he led the team in receptions, receiving yards, and receiving touchdowns a year ago. He’s the first player since Kris Burd in 2011 to top (or tie atop) all three categories. The Massachusetts native finished with 42 receptions, 578 yards, and five touchdowns.

Severin, of course, is one of the recent success stories for the Cavaliers. He spent his first two years at UVa either injured (he had to overcome a pin inserted for a broken bone in his hand) and inconsistent, which resulted in just six catches through his sophomore season. In the spring of 2014, however, he rededicated himself to becoming a better receiver. He lost weight, improved his quickness, and became a better route runner. All of that led to last season’s breakout effort and this spring he was named a captain by his teammates.

Virginia’s next two most productive receivers were seniors in 2014. Darius Jennings caught 27 passes for 521 yards and two touchdowns, while Miles Gooch added 24 catches for 371 yards and one touchdown. Gooch’s season ended after eight games with a season-ending knee injury. That leaves a lot of room for players to carve out a role this season.

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