Quarterback Set, But Competition Looms Elsewhere
Virginia’s offense opens the year with Missouri transfer Beau Pribula slated to take the first snap at quarterback. The senior brings a strong arm and poise under pressure, positioning him as the clear starter for the August 29 opener against N.C. State.
The line protecting Pribula is anchored by five graduate students who collectively own 162 collegiate starts. McKale Boley, Noah Josey, Drake Metcalf, Maklian Thomas and Monroe Mills bring a blend of size, experience and leadership that should give the quarterback ample time to execute the Cavaliers’ game plan.
At tight end, Dakota Twitty arrives healthy after a season‑ending injury in 2023. The coaching staff has named him a starter, citing his improved route running and reliable hands as key reasons for his elevation to the top of the depth chart.
The backfield presents the most open competition. Transfers Jekail Middlebrook and Peyton Lewis are battling for the starting running back role, while the coaching staff has identified Rico Flores Jr. as the front‑runner for the X‑receiver spot after his impressive performances in practice.
Defensively, Fisher Camac is penciled in as a starting defensive end after posting 13 starts and 4.5 sacks last season. He will be joined by Ivy League transfers Justin Townsend and Ezekiel Larry, both vying for the other end spot after showing flashes of pass‑rush potential during spring drills.
Jason Hammond returns as the starting defensive tackle, bringing veteran stability to the interior line. Meanwhile, Cazeem Moore, whose 2023 sack total earned him preseason All‑ACC recognition, may resume his role on the defensive front following a recent court ruling that restored his eligibility.
Linebacker Kam Robinson is expected to start if he fully recovers from a torn ACL, while cornerback Donovan Platt looks to build on his nine starts from the previous year. Both players are viewed as anchors for a secondary that also features newcomers such as Omillio Agard, who impressed coaches with his speed during spring workouts.
At safety, Brandyn Hillman arrives from Michigan, where he contributed to a national championship run, and is expected to start alongside Ethan Minter, a sophomore who began his collegiate career as a high school quarterback before excelling at safety. Their presence adds depth and experience to a unit that will be tested early in the schedule.
The Cavaliers open the season on August 29 against N.C. State, a game that will serve as the final litmus test for the many position battles still being decided. Coach Tony Elliott and his staff have emphasized that the intensity of these competitions will shape the team’s identity as they look to contend in the ACC.