The transfer portal doesn’t slow down, and neither does Virginia football. With the offseason in full swing, the Cavaliers are making a clear push to bolster their 2026 roster - and they’re doing it at some of the most critical spots on the field. Quarterback depth just got a serious injection of Power 4 experience, the offensive line added a promising young piece, and the secondary continues to take shape with proven talent from across the country.
Let’s start under center, where Virginia has now added two quarterbacks in the span of a week - both with starting experience at the Power 4 level. First came Beau Pribula, the Missouri transfer who committed Monday night and is expected to enter spring ball as the frontrunner for the starting job. But just days later, the Cavaliers added another intriguing name: Eli Holstein, a redshirt junior transferring in from Pittsburgh.
Holstein brings two years of eligibility and a résumé that shows he’s more than just a depth piece. After beginning his college career at Alabama - where he redshirted in 2023 - Holstein transferred to Pitt and made an immediate impact.
In 2024, he started 10 games for the Panthers, throwing for 2,228 yards, 17 touchdowns, and completing 62% of his passes. He also added 328 yards and three scores on the ground.
And while he missed three games due to injury that season, he still managed to tie Pitt’s freshman record for touchdown passes in a single season. That 2024 campaign saw the Panthers start 7-0 for the first time since 1982, though one of their losses came against Virginia - a game where Holstein was held to just 121 yards passing and no touchdowns.
In 2025, Holstein began the year as Pitt’s starter once again, but the team eventually turned to freshman Mason Heintschel midway through the season. Holstein still saw action in eight games, throwing for 1,081 yards, 12 touchdowns, and six interceptions, while also rushing for 88 yards and a score.
At 6’4”, 225 pounds, Holstein brings ideal size and a dual-threat element that gives Virginia another capable option behind center. Whether he pushes Pribula for the starting job or serves as a high-level backup, the Cavaliers are clearly prioritizing competition and depth at the most important position on the field.
But it wasn’t just the quarterback room that got stronger. Virginia also added a big body up front in offensive lineman Alex Payne.
The 6’5”, 305-pound Georgia native redshirted last year at USC after enrolling early in the spring of 2025. Now, he heads to Charlottesville with plenty of upside and versatility.
Payne was a consensus four-star recruit and ranked among the top 30 prospects in Georgia coming out of high school - a state known for producing serious trench talent.
He’ll get a look at both guard and tackle, and he joins an offensive line that’s already returning several key contributors from an 11-win season. Veterans like McKale Boley (left tackle), Noah Josey (left guard), and Drake Metcalf (right guard) are all expected back, giving the Hoos a solid foundation.
Add in Monroe Mills and Makilan Thomas - both potential starters in 2025 before injuries derailed their seasons - and the unit is shaping up to be one of the team’s strengths. Depth pieces like Noah Hartsoe, Ben York, and Jon Adair also return, giving Virginia a deep and experienced group up front.
On defense, the Cavaliers continued to stockpile talent in the secondary, adding two more transfers who bring starting experience and production. Michigan safety Brandyn Hillman and Navy cornerback Justin Ross are the latest additions, joining a group of incoming defensive backs that already includes Rutgers corner Jacobie Henderson, Virginia Tech safety Christian Ellis, and another safety from Georgia State.
Hillman is a particularly interesting piece. The 6’0”, 200-pound safety earned honorable mention All-Big Ten honors in 2025 after posting 49 tackles, one interception, and one forced fumble for the Wolverines.
He showed up in big games, too - recording seven tackles in matchups against playoff teams Oklahoma and Ohio State. A former four-star recruit from Portsmouth, Virginia, Hillman returns to his home state with two years of eligibility and a chance to become a leader on the back end of the defense.
He played in a reserve role during the 2023 and 2024 seasons, tallying 21 total tackles before breaking out last fall.
Ross, meanwhile, brings size and versatility to the cornerback room. At 6’2”, 185 pounds, the North Carolina native started nine games for Navy last season, finishing with 32 tackles, one interception, four pass breakups, and three quarterback hurries. He also saw action in 10 games the year before, contributing with four tackles, a forced fumble, and another interception.
With these additions, Virginia’s secondary is shaping up to be deeper, more experienced, and more athletic - all key ingredients for success in today’s pass-heavy game.
Bottom line: Virginia isn’t just filling holes - they’re reloading with intent. With proven talent coming in at quarterback, offensive line, and across the secondary, the Cavaliers are positioning themselves for another strong campaign in 2026. The pieces are coming together - now it’s about putting it all on the field.