Virginia heads to SMU this weekend with a lot on the line, and the Cavaliers will do it while juggling some notable availability questions. Before Saturday’s matchup, Virginia released its depth chart, though as always, those listings should be taken lightly since not everyone on there is expected to suit up.
The biggest offensive absence announced Thursday came at wide receiver, where head coach Tony Elliott said Rico Flores Jr. will not be available against SMU. Flores Jr. has shown flashes this season, but his absence puts more pressure on Virginia’s other pass catchers to make plays if the Cavaliers want a shot at pulling off the upset. The names to keep an eye on there are Da'Shawn Martin, Kam Courtney, and Jacquon Gibson.
Virginia’s offense will need much better rhythm than it has shown in its last three games against FBS opponents, even with the win over Syracuse in that stretch. SMU does not present an overwhelming defense, so the window is there for the Cavaliers to move the ball and score - but only if they protect the football and the offensive line holds up.
The more damaging news may be on defense. Elliott said starting cornerback Omillio Agard is out for the rest of the season after suffering an ACL injury.
That’s a major blow to a unit that already has had trouble against FBS competition. Pro Football Focus had Agard as the fourth-highest graded player on the defense, with a 75.3 grade over more than 240 snaps and a 76.7 coverage grade.
Replacing that production will fall to players like Jam Jackson, Jacobie Henderson, Donovan Platt, and others over Virginia’s final six games.
Elliott also said safety Brandyn Hillman is day-to-day, along with linebacker Maddox Marcellus.
All of that leaves Virginia with a tall order on Saturday. SMU brings one of the ACC’s best offenses, and UVA’s defense has not been sharp enough against FBS opponents to inspire much confidence. That makes this a difficult test from every angle.
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Virginia's Defense Suddenly Has A Huge Problem Before SMU
Virginias defense took a major hit this week as Tony Elliott confirmed that starting cornerback Omillio Agard suffered a torn ACL and will miss the rest of the 2026 season. Agard is set to undergo surgery after the injury, leaving Virginia with a significant hole in the secondary just as it heads into a high-profile matchup with No. 24 SMU.
The timing only adds to the uncertainty around the Cavaliers, who are already managing a cluster of injuries on both sides of the ball. Several players are still being evaluated ahead of the game, with some listed as day-to-day or questionable, while others, including Baxter, have already had surgery and are expected to be out for multiple games. [Read more 🡒]
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Even so, the review of the newcomers comes with some real caveats, because not every transfer has been able to settle in cleanly. Middlebrook has been more of a ground-game presence than a receiver, Flores Jr. and Lewis have been slowed by injuries or limited roles, and Virginia is still sorting out how dependable this group can be as the schedule tightens and the margin for error shrinks. [Read more 🡒]
Virginias Bowl Path Just Turned Into A Week To Week Fight
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SMU is next, and the matchup only sharpens the stakes because the Mustangs are rested and difficult to beat in Dallas. Virginia has already shown enough to keep hope alive, but the path from here is no longer about looking ahead, it is about surviving the next opponent and figuring out whether this team can handle the stretch run in a conference where small mistakes keep getting punished. [Read more 🡒]