Tony Elliott returns for his fifth season after leading Virginia to an 11-3 (7-1 ACC) record, falling to Duke in the ACC Championship Game. Offensive coordinator Des Kitchings and company hit a portal home run, acquiring veteran dual-threat QB Beau Pribula from Missouri. A big question mark for the Cavs is at running back, as J’Mari Taylor and Harrison Waylee are no longer with the program. Tennessee transfer Peyton Lewis and Jekail Middlebrook of MTSU have big shoes to fill at running back. Virginia lost its top three receivers from a year ago. The Cavs will ask Kameron Courtney to step up into a starter role along with tight end Dakota Twitty. UCLA transfer Rico Flores brings much-needed talent to this group. The offensive line returns three starters in McKale Boley, Noah Josey and Drake Metcalf and technically gets a fourth back in Monroe Mills after missing the 2025 season in its entirety.

Fisher Camac, Jason Hammond and Kam Robinson anchor the front seven under defensive coordinator John Rudzinski. The Cavaliers also have plenty of depth. The secondary returns Donavon Platt, Jacobie Henderson and Ethan Minter and welcomes Michigan transfer Brandyn Hillman.

Special teams coordinator Keith Gaither gets placekicker Will Bettridge back, along with starting punter Daniel Sparks. With Cam Ross off to the NFL to play for the Broncos, the Cavaliers will need to find a replacement at the return position. Virginia is sound in the trenches, but questions remain at the skill positions. Pribula is a strong improviser who can make plays if given time.