CHARLOTTESVILLE — With an infusion of funds to spend on high-end transfers and a defined vision for how to build sustained success within the program, Virginia set out this offseason to make over its roster in a way it never has before.
Head coach Tony Elliott and his staff worked closely with the team’s general manager, Tyler Jones, and assistant general manager, Justin Speros, to construct a roster that could help the program take the next step in its goal for sustained success in this new era of college athletics.
“Right now, I feel like we’re building the foundation, and the foundation is strong,” Jones said. “Now, you’ve got to win. We’re really excited about our ability to win this year.”
UVA’s player-acquisition efforts netted a large group of potential impact-makers. The two-deep roster the Cavaliers released for Saturday’s season opener at home against Coastal Carolina included 10 transfers on offense (six starters) and 14 transfers on defense (six starters).
That group includes starting quarterback Chandler Morris, who is entering his sixth season after a record-breaking 2024 for North Texas, a 1,000-yard rusher in J’Mari Taylor (from N.C. Central) and starting defensive end Mitchell Melton, who played in 12 games with national champion Ohio State last year.
Morris and Melton both competed as reserves in a national championship game — Morris with TCU at the end of the 2022 season and Melton with the Buckeyes last season.
“Chandler Morris and Mitchell Melton joined our program in the spring and have brought instant character, leadership and swagger to our program,” Elliott said.
UVA was awarded a multimillion-dollar anonymous gift in December and took in other impactful donations in the offseason to allow it to attract 32 transfers along with 22 high school recruits.
“We’re truly grateful to the individuals that decided to support the efforts this offseason and provide the resources for us to be able to go be aggressive and productive in the transfer portal,” Elliott said.
The Cavaliers added a bevy of potential playmakers on both sides of the ball along with a slew of proven commodities along the front lines. First-team center Brady Wilson (UAB) was the third-rated FBS center last season by Pro Football Focus, and right tackle Wallace Unamba didn’t allow a sack over 10 starts for New Mexico last season.
Among the defensive newcomers are starting safety Devin Neal, who finished third in the ACC with four interceptions in his last full season with Louisville in 2023, and defensive end Cazeem Moore, who logged 13 sacks in three campaigns for Elon.
“(I give) a lot of praise to this staff this offseason for the types of guys they’ve brought in,” Cavaliers offensive lineman Noah Josey said.
Never before has this program seen this kind of personnel overhaul. Combined with major facilities upgrades — UVA opened the state-of-the-art, $80 million Hardie Football Operations Center last year — the Cavaliers are making some big leaps.
“Trell Harris, I think he vertical jumps 38 inches. I think his broad jump is like (11 feet, 2 inches), the highest on the team. It’s that kind of leap. It’s a significant leap,” said Speros, referring to deep-threat wide receiver Harris and his vast physical gifts.
UVA added starting-caliber talent at several positions as well as much-needed depth in the trenches. The Cavaliers have suffered several key injuries along the offensive and defensive lines in recent seasons.
More reserves could help Virginia perform better in the second half of games as well.
Last season, the Cavaliers gave up a halftime lead in a home setback to Maryland and also lost in the closing minutes against Louisville at Scott Stadium.
Virginia finished 5-7, one win shy of becoming bowl-eligible for the first time since 2021.
To turn the corner and become a bowl contender, UVA knows it must show improvement in several areas. It finished 14th or worse out of 17 ACC teams in points per game (22.7), yards per game (360.9), turnover margin (minus-0.33 per game), sacks allowed per game (3.92), total yards allowed per game (408.3) and sacks gained per game (1.59).
With the likes of Morris and Melton leading the way, the Cavaliers feel they have a roster capable of being more competitive and adept at withstanding the rigors of a long and physically demanding season.
“The coaches have done a great job of going out and getting the pieces that we need,” Morris said. “At the end of the day, it’s going to come down to us going out and executing.”
Standouts
Virginia wide receiver Trell Harris had 13 catches for 201 yards and two touchdowns in the first three games last season before missing seven games with a knee injury. (Billy Schuerman/Staff)
Trell Harris, 6-0, 200, WR: Astoundingly fast and athletic, Harris has the physical tools to take the top off a defense. He had 13 receptions for 201 yards and two touchdowns in the first three games of 2024. He missed seven of the final eight games with a knee injury, leaving a big hole in UVA’s offense.
Xavier Brown, 5-10, 198, RB: Brown was a menace when he got the ball last season, accounting for 488 yards and one touchdown on the ground and 127 yards and two scores through the air. UVA’s coaches are committed to putting the ball in his hands more this season.
Kam Robinson, 6-2, 234, LB: Robinson will miss some time at the start of the season with a fractured collarbone suffered in fall camp, but the injury isn’t expected to hold him back when he returns. He led the Cavaliers with five sacks and ranked second with 64 tackles last season.
Jahmeer Carter, 6-2, 311, NT: Back for his sixth season, Carter once more gives the Cavaliers ample experience and production in the middle of the front line. He was one of 10 players to start all 12 games for UVA in 2024. He logged 33 tackles, two tackles for loss and one sack.
Daniel Sparks, 6-6, 217, P: The massive Minnesotan landed on The Athletic’s Freaks List in the preseason. According to the outlet, Sparks runs a 4.25-second shuttle time, which only four defensive backs at this year’s NFL draft combine exceeded. Sparks had 25% of his kicks pinned inside the opponent’s 20-yard line last season.
Storylines
Virginia head coach Tony Elliott looks on during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Coastal Carolina, Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024, in Conway, S.C. (AP Photo/Matt Kelley, File)
Will there be consistency at QB?: Spotty quarterback play has been a bugaboo for the Cavaliers throughout Tony Elliott’s tenure. That could change this year with the arrival of Chandler Morris, a veteran who completed 63% of his passes for 3,774 yards, 31 touchdowns and 12 interceptions last season for North Texas.
Run the ball: Offensive balance has been UVA’s goal the past three years, but the run game hasn’t lived up to its end of the bargain. The Cavaliers have ranked 11th or worse in the ACC in rushing yards per game in each of those seasons. They added a proven inside runner in J’Mari Taylor, and outside threat Xavier Brown could be poised for a breakout.
Withstanding the injury bug: A lack of continuity up front has been one of the culprits for the team’s poor rushing performance. Seven linemen started at least three games for the Cavaliers last season, a product of injuries mostly. UVA brought in several experienced linemen in the portal who should help fortify this group.
More heat needed: The Cavaliers finished 132nd nationally with 12 sacks in 2023 and didn’t fare much better last season with only 19. They raided the portal for some proven pass-rushers, including Fisher Camac, who logged 7.5 sacks for UNLV in 2024, and Cazeem Moore, who led Elon with six sacks last season. They also added Alabama transfer Hunter Osborne, a stud recruit in 2022.
Back-end replacements: The Cavaliers will be breaking in three new starters in the defensive backfield. Transfer corners Jordan Robinson and Emmanuel Karnley bring ample experience from their time at Cincinnati and Arizona, respectively. Safety Devin Neal, charged with replacing stalwart Jonas Sanker, was a third-team All-ACC pick for Louisville in 2023.
Schedule
Aug. 30 vs. Coastal Carolina, 6 p.m.
Sept. 6 at N.C. State, noon
Sept. 13 vs. William & Mary, noon
Sept. 20 vs. Stanford, tba
Sept. 26 vs. Florida State, 7 p.m.
Oct. 4 at Louisville, tba
Oct. 18 vs. Washington State, 6:30 p.m.
Oct. 25 at North Carolina, tba
Nov. 1 at Cal, tba
Nov. 8 vs. Wake Forest, tba
Nov. 15 at Duke, tba
Nov. 29 vs. Virginia Tech, tba
