Virginia could be in line for a roster jolt across multiple sports if the Class of 2022 eligibility lawsuits break the Cavaliers’ way.
Nothing is official yet, and the situation is still wrapped up in a “giant litigation frenzy,” but the premise is simple enough: athletes who began competition in the 2022-23 academic year and used four seasons would be eligible for one more year in 2026-27. That opens the door for a wave of former Cavaliers - though plenty of them have already moved on to pro careers, graduate school or jobs and would have real decisions to make.
In the pool, Virginia has several former stars who could instantly matter again. The quartet of Canny, Weber, Skirboll and Novelline would bring back a chunk of the program’s dynasty feel, and there’s a clear incentive for that group to return given how high college swimming sits on the sport’s ladder.
Alumni are already training at the AFC, and the message from those circles is obvious: one more shot at a national title would be worth cherishing. If that group came back, Virginia could keep piling up records.
Softball presents another intriguing possibility. Bigham and Layne have already signed on as assistant coaches elsewhere, but the source of the appeal is obvious: college softball is the best version of the game.
Add Hylton to that mix, and Virginia would suddenly have a trio capable of turning the Cavaliers into serious ACC contenders with a real postseason run. The timing helps, too - softball is still months away, not just weeks.
The golf names are the least likely to make the leap back. James and Lee have already launched professional careers at a high level, and James in particular has made major strides.
A return would be a major surprise. Still, they made the list for a reason: with James and Lee in the lineup, Virginia would be a massive favorite to finally capture a national championship that has remained elusive.
Women’s soccer could get a boost too, though this one feels far more complicated. Cagle has already joined a club in the top level of Swedish women’s soccer, and with the NCAA season only a few weeks away, a reunion would be tough to pull off. The bond with Coach Steve Swanson is there, but the calendar makes the idea a difficult one to arrange on short notice.
Track and field may offer another path. Several former Cavaliers have already turned pro, but the structure of college running leaves room for some athletes to potentially return for the winter indoor season. The source points to that as a possibility, even if nothing is settled.
Men’s basketball has a name worth watching in Dallin Hall. Ugonna Onyenso, meanwhile, is trying to fight for rotation minutes with the NBA’s contending Detroit Pistons, so a Virginia return looks near impossible. Hall is the more realistic fit, and the Cavaliers could use exactly what he provides: a steady ball-handler, a facilitator and a glue guy off the bench as the No. 2 point guard.
Lacrosse could also benefit from veterans with pro experience. The Cavaliers would have a chance to add scoring and defense around the start of the Kevin Cassese era, and while playing in the PLL has its appeal, those players also sometimes take assistant jobs with college programs. The idea here is that some former Virginia players could do both.
Baseball has a couple of obvious fits. Didawick, described as quietly one of the most productive players in program history, would be a major addition after the loss of star outfielder AJ Gracia.
He could slide back into left field or center field and form part of a group with Jordan Crosland and Zach Jackson or Sal Mineo. Didawick went undrafted this year, so a strong return could change that.
Jaxel, meanwhile, is the kind of bullpen arm every team wants, and Chris Pollard would be thrilled to get two four-year contributors back at Disharoon Park.
Women’s basketball would get a familiar lift from Clark, who was one of the biggest names in Virginia’s Sweet Sixteen run this season and a longtime favorite of Kymora Johnson. The Cavaliers only have five returning players from that postseason group, so Clark would bring back both experience and proven, semi-consistent scoring. Her chemistry with Johnson is a real asset.
On the football side, Holmes and Moore were believed to have exhausted eligibility, but under this scenario they could strengthen an already sturdy defensive line. If they returned, Virginia would pair them with Jason Hammond, Anthony Britton, Fisher Camac and a large batch of veteran transfers.
And in volleyball, Johnson would be the kind of return that helps in more ways than one. A veteran leader, she could guide a young group of underclassmen while also giving the Cavaliers the benefit of her experience and consistent play. If Virginia can get that reunion done quickly, the payoff would be immediate.
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Middlebrooks value is easy to see because he can help in more than one way, which is exactly the sort of trait that can tilt a camp battle. Gibson has brought similar energy to the receiver room, where Virginia is still sorting out roles and looking for the right fit in the slot, so both players have made this one of the more interesting position stories around the program as practice rolls on. [Read more 🡒]