In discussing the linebacker position in a recent preview article, the depth chart couldn’t be easily outlined. The Virginia football team’s running back situation is much easier to pin down.

With Taquan Mizzell and Albert Reid finished with their college careers (as players at least – Reid remains on board with the Hoos as a Graduate Assistant), nearly 75% of the team’s carries from 2016 exited this offseason. Mizzell led the Hoos with 187 carries and 940 yards last season and now works for the NFL’s Baltimore Ravens. Reid, meanwhile, led the team in rushing touchdowns and overall scoring with six scores on carries plus a receiving touchdown and a two-point conversion catch. He also had 480 rushing yards on 98 attempts.

That means the door is open for playing time and carries in Bronco Mendenhall’s second season at UVA. Those snaps will be divided among two program veterans and a host of newcomers, including a mid-career position change for one sophomore.

Two upperclassmen worked in support roles previously, but they have a chance to take on bigger roles now.

Junior Jordan Ellis enters preseason practice as the favorite to take on the lead role. The redshirt junior hasn’t seen many touches to date in his career, a total of 38 for 135 yards with three touchdowns to be exact. Still, he did work his way on to the field last season as a pass protection option and impressed both coaches and teammates in the preseason a year ago with his work ethic. That earned him the No. 1 pick in the jersey number draft that the program adopted.

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