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 joins the program at quarterback. Virginia must replace running backs J’Mari Taylor and Harrison Waylee, while Tennessee transfer Peyton Lewis and Middle Tennessee transfer Jekail Middlebrook join a rebuilt backfield. The Cavaliers must also 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 recording 26 receptions in 2025, while tight end Dakota Twitty also returns. The offensive line returns full-time starters McKale Boley, Noah Josey, and Drake Metcalf after each started all 14 games last season, while veteran Monroe Mills returns after missing the 2025 season.
John Rudzinski returns as defensive coordinator with Virginia bringing back six of its top eleven tacklers from last season despite losing its top two. Kam Robinson returns as one of the leaders of the defense after starting all eight games he played last season, while Jason Hammond and Fisher Camac provide considerable experience in the front seven. Ethan Minter, Jacobie Henderson, and Donavon Platt return as established starters in the secondary, while Michigan transfer Brandyn Hillman joins the defensive backfield after making 12 starts last season. Maddox Marcellus and Landon Danley also return after finishing among Virginia’s top five tacklers in 2025.
Keith Gaither returns as special teams coordinator with Will Bettridge back at placekicker after making a school-record 24 field goals last season, while Daniel Sparks returns at punter after averaging a school-record 47.2 yards per punt. Elijah Slibeck also returns as the kickoff specialist, while UAB transfer Solomon Beebe is among the leading candidates in the kickoff return game after returning a kickoff for a touchdown last season. Virginia will feature a new punt returner following Cam Ross’ departure for the NFL. The Cavaliers enter 2026 with considerable turnover at quarterback, running back, and receiver but return an experienced offensive line and considerable starting experience throughout the defense.