Virginia’s ground game has a chance to look a lot different in 2026, and the reasons are pretty clear: the offensive line and the running back room are the backbone of this offense.
In 2025, the Cavaliers ran the ball 548 times and threw it 492 times, with rushing attempts making up 52.7% of their offense. That split might not scream old-school power football, especially in Des Kitchings’ system, but Chandler Morris’ presence at quarterback helped shape that balance.
A bigger run-game footprint could be coming this season. If Virginia’s total rushing volume rises by something like seven percent, that would add roughly 60 more rushing attempts.
Last year’s 548 rushing attempts included 95 carries from players who were not running backs, leaving about 453 attempts for the running back group. Injuries also played a role in how things shook out in 2025, and they could matter again this year.
Based on the current depth chart, that 453-carry workload gives a useful starting point for projecting 2026, especially once those extra 60 attempts are layered in. The split should be more balanced, and each player’s 2025 yards-per-carry mark gives a sense of what the production could resemble if the workload shifts.
One name to watch is Vaughn. It would not be a surprise if he ends up with more rushing yards than Beebe, even though Beebe sits higher on the depth chart.
Beebe’s value goes beyond handoffs; he is expected to be heavily involved on special teams and could also work as a slot receiver. His versatility is the selling point.
The catch with Vaughn is efficiency. It is hard to imagine him repeating a 7.5-yards-per-carry pace if his workload increases.
However the touches get divided up, Virginia should have one of the ACC’s best rushing attacks.
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The continuity does not stop there. Virginias defense is also expected to feature a long list of fourth- and fifth-year players who already know the system and have worked together across multiple seasons, while special teams brings back familiar faces with years of experience in those roles. For a program trying to turn stability into results, that kind of age and familiarity can matter a lot, especially when the margin for error is small and the smallest details often decide games. [Read more 🡒]