ROSTER SUBTRACTION(S): due to graduation

 -Skylar Brownlow

-Denzell Henderson

KEY ADDITION(S):

 -Jordan Jeter

-Chris Thaxton

-Isley Hopson

-Davis Peltonen

-Kaian Duverger 

-Matthew Lewis-Bell

WISE - - When the UVa-Wise tight ends and receivers take the field this season they will return their top two receiving targets from a season ago. Twin brothers Jacob (6-2, 189) and James (6-3, 183) Cousins, combined for 1,111 of the 2,548 yards, nine of the 16 touchdowns and 70 of the 244 catches caught by Cavalier receivers a season ago. Second year coach, his first directing the wide receivers unit, James Guest looks to improve on a unit that combined for 243 receptions last season, the second most in school history.

CURRENT STATE OF THE UNIT:

The group also returns redshirt junior Cedrick Watkins (5-11, 176) who caught 23 passes for 165 yards and one touchdown as a sophomore before taking a redshirt season last year. Along with Watkins, Guest will look for contributions from sophomores Matt Felton (5-8, 150), Eli Marks (6-1, 180) and Zach Jacobs (6-1, 181) who got their first taste of collegiate football last fall.

For the tight ends, first year coach, Jason Wilson will rely on returners Jake Barnett (6-5, 254) and Daniel England (6-3, 219). Barnett appeared in nine games a season ago reeling in 15 catches for 134 yards. England took a redshirt season a year ago. Senior Dorian Harris (5-11, 260) will be making the transition from running back to tight end this fall.

Coach Guest will also look to junior college transfer Kaian Duverger (6-6, 205) to provide some stability.

Newcomers for the Cavs include Jeter, Thaxton, Hopson, Peltonen and Lewis-Bell.

Jeter (6-2, 185), will join the Cavs after a successful career at Meadowbrook H.S. where he led the team in receiving in each of the last two seasons.

Thaxton, a 5-foot-10, 160 pound wide out from Richmond, Virginia (Highland Springs H.S.), comes to the College after helping lead the Springers to back-to-back VHSL 5A state titles. The freshman wide out caught the game winning touchdown in the 2016 state title game with less than 30 seconds to play.

He was also the recipient of the Bill Dudley scholarship from the Touchdown Club of Richmond. According to the scholarships website, "The scholarship winners must distinguish themselves based on academic performance, extra-curricular & community activities, financial need and athletic achievement."

Hopson will join the Cavs after starring at Patrick Henry (Roanoke) H.S. in Roanoke, Virginia. The 5-foot-11, 180 pound receiver garnered First-Team All-Conference 16 honors a season ago.

Peltonen (6-0, 175), who hails from Harrisonburg, Virginia (Broadway H.S.), comes to UVa-Wise after a successful career for the Gobblers. Pelton was named to the second team offense as a kick returner his junior year.

Lewis-Bell comes to UVa-Wise after finishing his prep career at William Fleming H.S. in Roanoke, Va. The 6-foot-3, 190 pound tight end will look to contribute early in camp.

WHAT TO WATCH FOR:

Coach Guest will be looking for a balanced group of receivers in which he can rely on multiple young players to step up to help alleviate some pressure from the Cousin brothers.

Coach Wilson will look to Barnett to carry his successes over from his freshman season to lead a rather young group of tight ends this season.

Keep up to date with all information, news, statistics and more on Cavalier football at www.uvawisecavs.com.