Fall camp is almost here, and Virginia enters it with more competition than certainty in a few key spots. Tony Elliott has a roster with real depth, which means the next few weeks should be all about sorting out who earns starting jobs and who settles into the top backup roles.
The most crowded battle may come in the defensive backfield. There are more capable players than there are snaps to go around, so every rep in camp matters. Agard and McNair look like two names to watch closely, and both could carve out significant playing time.
McNair brings athletic playmaking ability and looks like a natural fit for the Antonio Clary role. Agard has the kind of profile that could make him either a starter or at least a primary backup.
Neither Buffalo, where McNair played, nor Wisconsin, where Agard came from, wanted to lose them this offseason, which says plenty about how Virginia viewed those additions. They look like two of the Cavaliers’ most underrated pickups.
Tight end is another spot worth watching. Sage Ennis, who was a key part of the offense, is gone, and Virginia needs someone who can block at a high level while also threatening the end zone. But the Cavaliers might decide to lean in a different direction.
Rogers got extended run in the second half of the 2025 season and the results were mixed. He’s more of a receiver than a blocker, but he has added a few pounds and now enters 2026 as a sophomore with game experience.
A Twitty-Rogers pairing could open the door to more vertical tight end concepts than Virginia used with Twitty and Ennis. Elliott may also adjust the 12-personnel package to better fit what his tight ends can do.
Rogers, in that setup, could become a real weapon - maybe even with more upside than Connor Cox or Lukas Ungar.
Up front, Virginia’s best five linemen appear to be McKale Boley, Noah Josey, Drake Metcalf, Makilan Thomas and Monroe Mills. That group should make up the starting five. If injuries hit, the next wave includes Brubaker, Alex Payne, Noah Hartsoe, Grant Ellinger, Ben York and Jon Adair.
Brubaker looks like the most obvious next man up. The cleanest fallback plan would be to put him at center and slide Metcalf and Thomas back to their natural guard and tackle spots.
Another option would be moving Metcalf and Thomas inside from right guard and right tackle, respectively. Brubaker’s SEC background and veteran experience give him an edge over the other reserves, even if his injury history remains a concern.
He could end up being one of the offseason portal steals.
Virginia also has a decision to make in the return game. When the Cavaliers brought in Beebe from UAB, the expectation was that he would take over Cam Ross’ return duties.
Athlon Sports even named Beebe Second Team Preseason All-ACC as a kick returner. Still, nothing says he has to handle every return.
Lewis brings elite north-south speed and above-average strength, and if Jekail Middlebrook wins the starting running back job, Virginia may want another way to get Lewis on the field. Splitting the return work could be the answer, with Beebe handling punts and Lewis taking kick returns.
Wide receiver is crowded too, but nobody has fully locked down a starting spot. That leaves room for Cope, a freshman, to climb quickly and possibly become the fifth or sixth receiver on the depth chart.
With freshmen no longer redshirting under the five-in-five trend in college football, Virginia will want to find ways to use its young players. Cope should have a chance to benefit from that, even on a team that expects to contend for the ACC Championship.
In Other News...
Virginia Suddenly Has A Backfield Battle Fans Needed To See
Virginias backfield is suddenly one of the more interesting parts of the roster heading into 2026, and it has a little bit of everything: three experienced transfers, three returners and a clear need for someone to seize the job. With nearly 1,700 rushing yards gone from last seasons top two backs, the Cavaliers are leaning into competition at a position coach Keith Gaither says offers a mix of different skill sets rather than a single obvious answer.
Jekail Middlebrook was one of the names that kept coming up during spring practice, which only adds to the sense that this could turn into a real battle once camp opens. Virginia does not need a one-man solution so much as a reliable rotation, but the pressure is still there to find the right blend quickly, especially with the season approaching and the production from last year no longer in the building. [Read more 🡒]
Virginia Football Just Set Two Dates That Make 2026 Feel Real
Virginia football is already putting some calendar markers around 2026, and they come with the kind of fan-facing events that help a season feel closer than it is. The Cavaliers will host Meet the Team Day at the George Welsh Indoor Practice Facility, giving supporters a chance to mix with the program through autographs, games and giveaways, while season-ticket renewals and discounted ticket packages are now open for the upcoming home slate.
Paint the Town Orange will also return at the Ting Pavilion, keeping one of Virginias more recognizable preseason traditions in place as the program starts building toward next fall. Along with the ticket push, UVA has rolled out digital parking passes for home games, another sign that the logistics of 2026 are already taking shape even before the first snap is on the horizon. [Read more 🡒]
Ryan Odom Officially Sets Virginia's 2026-27 Roster Direction
Ryan Odom has officially put the first real shape on Virginias 2026-27 roster, announcing eight newcomers who will give the Cavaliers a blend of size, experience and perimeter help. The group includes six scholarship additions and two walk-ons, with forwards Nolan Adekunle, Kalu Anya and Favour Ibe joining guards Jurian Dixon, Christian Harmon and Jan Vide, plus Nick Rotter and Quincy Watson filling out the walk-on spots.
For Virginia, the interesting part is not just the number of newcomers but the variety of backgrounds Odom is bringing into the program. There are transfers with college production, international experience and a highly regarded prep prospect in the mix, which gives the staff a lot of different ways to build the roster. The next question is how those pieces fit together once the Cavaliers start sorting out roles, because this group looks like it could be the foundation for something much more defined. [Read more 🡒]