Tony Elliott returns for his fifth season after Virginia finished 11-3 overall and 7-1 in ACC play in 2025, including an appearance in the ACC Championship Game. Des Kitchings returns as offensive coordinator, while Missouri transfer Beau Pribula takes over as the starting quarterback. Virginia must replace running backs J’Mari Taylor and Harrison Waylee. Middle Tennessee transfer Jekail Middlebrook has emerged as the starter in a rebuilt backfield, while Tennessee transfer Peyton Lewis provides another option. Update (Oct. 14): Middlebrook rushed for 95 yards and two touchdowns on 17 carries in Virginia’s 28-25 victory over Syracuse on October 10. The Cavaliers also must replace their top three receivers from last season, while Kameron Courtney returns after making 25 catches. UCLA transfer Rico Flores Jr. joins the receiving corps after catching 26 passes in 2025, and tight end Dakota Twitty also returns. Update (Oct. 14): WR Rico Flores Jr. suffered a knee injury against Syracuse on October 10 and left the game. His return timetable has not been confirmed. The offensive line returns full-time starters McKale Boley, Noah Josey, and Drake Metcalf, each of whom started all 14 games last season, along with veteran Monroe Mills, who returns after missing 2025. Update (Oct. 14): Virginia’s current starting offensive line features McKale Boley at left tackle, Noah Josey at left guard, Drake Metcalf at center, Makilan Thomas at right guard, and Monroe Mills at right tackle.
John Rudzinski returns as defensive coordinator with Virginia, which is bringing back six of its top eleven tacklers from last season despite losing its top two. Kam Robinson returns as a defensive leader after starting all eight games last season, while Jason Hammond and Fisher Camac bring considerable front-seven experience. Update (Sept. 22): DL Jason Hammond reportedly suffered a season-ending injury and is expected to miss the remainder of the 2026 season. In the secondary, Ethan Minter, Jacobie Henderson, and Donavon Platt return as established starters, while Michigan transfer Brandyn Hillman joins the defensive backfield after making 12 starts last season. Maddox Marcellus and Landon Danley also return, and they finished among Virginia’s top five tacklers in 2025. Update (Oct. 14): DT Sichan John, CB Jacobie Henderson, and S Brandyn Hillman left the October 10 game against Syracuse with injuries. The severity of their injuries and their return timetables have not been confirmed.
Keith Gaither returns as special teams coordinator, with Will Bettridge back at placekicker after kicking a school-record 24 field goals last season, and Daniel Sparks back at punter after averaging a school-record 47.2 yards per punt. Elijah Slibeck also returns as the kickoff specialist. Josiah Abdullah handles punt-return duties, while Jacquon Gibson provides an option on kickoff returns.
Overall, the Cavaliers entered 2026 with turnover at quarterback, running back, and receiver but retained an experienced offensive line and considerable starting experience throughout the defense. Update (Oct. 14): Virginia is 4-2 overall and 2-1 in ACC play following a 28-25 victory over Syracuse on October 10. Middlebrook has been productive in the backfield, but injuries to Flores and several defensive contributors create uncertainty ahead of their October 17 matchup at SMU.