Virginia Football: 2025 Cavaliers Season Preview and Prediction
On paper, the Cavaliers have upgraded at quarterback and on both sides of the trenches. UVA also has a manageable non-conference schedule and avoids the top-four finishers in the ACC from last season. It's bowl or bust for coach Tony Elliott in Year 4 at Virginia.
Advertisement
[Editor's note: This article is from Athlon Sports' 2025 College Football Preview print magazine. Order your copy today online, or pick one up at retail racks and newsstands nationwide.]
More ACC team previews
Boston College | California | Clemson | Duke | Florida State
Georgia Tech | Louisville | Miami | North Carolina | NC State
Pitt | SMU | Stanford | Syracuse | Virginia Tech | Wake Forest
Virginia 2025 Season Preview and Prediction
Previewing Virginia's Offense for 2025
It's a changing of the guard for Virginia at the quarterback position. Anthony Colandrea and Tony Muskett are out, and North Texas transfer Chandler Morris has arrived to shepherd the UVA offense in a make-or-break season for head coach Tony Elliott. The Cavaliers ranked 16th in the ACC in scoring offense last season at 22.7 points per game — only Florida State was worse. Morris should be an upgrade at the most important position on the field, but what about the rest of the offense?
Advertisement
The Cavaliers lost their top two pass-catchers and leading rusher but added a few impact transfers at the skill positions — receivers Jahmal Edrine (Purdue) and Jayden Thomas (Notre Dame) and running back J'Mari Taylor (FCS North Carolina Central). They'll need returners like Xavier Brown, who averaged 6.1 yards per carry last season, and Trell Harris, who was a bright spot in the downfield passing game before going down with a knee injury, to take big steps forward in 2025.
Most importantly, though, the Cavaliers must see improvement on their offensive line, the team's biggest weakness in the Elliott era. Virginia added some transfers up front, including UAB's Brady Wilson, but the Cavs lost Louisville transfer Monroe Mills to a spring knee injury and starting right tackle Blake Steen to the transfer portal.
Cavaliers RB Xavier Brown | Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
Previewing Virginia's Defense for 2025
The Cavaliers will have to fill the massive shoes of two-time first-team All-ACC safety Jonas Sanker, but they are set to field perhaps the most experienced safety tandem in the country in Antonio Clary and Louisville transfer Devin Neal.
Advertisement
UVA went to work in the portal to improve its front seven, which ranked near the bottom of the league in sacks for the second year in a row. Mitchell Melton (Ohio State), Cazeem Moore (FCS Elon), Hunter Osborne (Alabama) and Fisher Camac (UNLV) arrive from the portal to reinforce the defensive line, and the Cavaliers bring back all of their key linebackers, including second-leading tackler Kam Robinson.
The cornerback position may be an issue, but the pieces are there for UVA's defense to be much improved in 2025.
Virginia coach Tony Elliott | Amber Searls-Imagn Images
Previewing Virginia's Specialists for 2025
Virginia brings back all of its kickers and punters from last season and adds PFF All-America long snapper Bryce Robinson from Kennesaw State. UVA lost its primary returners but brought in James Madison transfer Cam Ross, who returned a kickoff for a score last season.
Advertisement
National Ranking: 69
More ACC team previews
Boston College | California | Clemson | Duke | Florida State
Georgia Tech | Louisville | Miami | North Carolina | NC State
Pitt | SMU | Stanford | Syracuse | Virginia Tech | Wake Forest
Related: ACC Football 2025 Predictions
Related: College Football Rankings: Projecting the Top 25 Teams for 2025
Related: Athlon Sports 2025 College Football Preview Magazine Available Now
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 3, 2025, where it first appeared.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Yahoo
Virginia Tech is reviewing claim that coach tried to lure NC Central player into transfer portal
BLACKSBURG, Va. (AP) — Virginia Tech is looking into an allegation by North Carolina Central's coach that a Hokies assistant improperly tried to lure running back J'Mari Taylor into the transfer portal last season. Virginia Tech released a statement on Saturday saying it was made aware of the allegation a day earlier. ESPN reported that the allegation surfaced when N.C. Central coach Trei Oliver was asked Friday what was the most ridiculous moment he has faced in coaching. Oliver responded that he discovered a Virginia Tech assistant coach on the sideline for one of the Eagles' games in 2024 and said that assistant was trying to contact his running back. Taylor, a star RB, eventually transferred to Virginia. WRAL News reported that Oliver told reporters: 'Virginia Tech was actually on my sideline recruiting our running back. That was pretty bold. I couldn't believe it.' Oliver said he was told the Virginia Tech assistant was 'just down here visiting.' Added Oliver: 'But I knew what it was.' In its statement provided to The Associated Press, Virginia Tech said: 'We were made aware Friday afternoon of a public comment suggesting a potential NCAA rules concern involving a member of our coaching staff. This is the first time the issue has been brought to our attention, and no concern has previously been shared with us through any formal channel. 'Virginia Tech takes all NCAA rules seriously and is committed to conducting our program with integrity. We are reviewing the matter internally and will address any findings appropriately.' ___ AP college football: and The Associated Press
Associated Press
3 hours ago
- Associated Press
Virginia Tech is reviewing claim that coach tried to lure NC Central player into transfer portal
BLACKSBURG, Va. (AP) — Virginia Tech is looking into an allegation by North Carolina Central's coach that a Hokies assistant improperly tried to lure running back J'Mari Taylor into the transfer portal last season. Virginia Tech released a statement on Saturday saying it was made aware of the allegation a day earlier. ESPN reported that the allegation surfaced when N.C. Central coach Trei Oliver was asked Friday what was the most ridiculous moment he has faced in coaching. Oliver responded that he discovered a Virginia Tech assistant coach on the sideline for one of the Eagles' games in 2024 and said that assistant was trying to contact his running back. Taylor, a star RB, eventually transferred to Virginia. WRAL News reported that Oliver told reporters: 'Virginia Tech was actually on my sideline recruiting our running back. That was pretty bold. I couldn't believe it.' Oliver said he was told the Virginia Tech assistant was 'just down here visiting.' Added Oliver: 'But I knew what it was.' In its statement provided to The Associated Press, Virginia Tech said: 'We were made aware Friday afternoon of a public comment suggesting a potential NCAA rules concern involving a member of our coaching staff. This is the first time the issue has been brought to our attention, and no concern has previously been shared with us through any formal channel. 'Virginia Tech takes all NCAA rules seriously and is committed to conducting our program with integrity. We are reviewing the matter internally and will address any findings appropriately.' ___ AP college football: and
Washington Post
3 hours ago
- Washington Post
Virginia Tech is reviewing claim that coach tried to lure NC Central player into transfer portal
BLACKSBURG, Va. — Virginia Tech is looking into an allegation by North Carolina Central's coach that a Hokies assistant improperly tried to lure running back J'Mari Taylor into the transfer portal last season. Virginia Tech released a statement on Saturday saying it was made aware of the allegation a day earlier.
