The University of Virginia football program has received some good news on the transfer portal front for a change. According to Rivals and 247 Sports, redshirt freshman defensive lineman Olasunkonmi Agunloye has withdrawn from the portal.

Olasunkloye Agunloye (white jersey), pictured here being blocked by right tackle Ryan Swoboda. Both players recently entered the NCAA Transfer Portal. However, Agunloye reportedly has withdrawn his name and will return to Virginia. ~ Photo Credit: Jim Daves, Virginia Athletics Media Relations

After playing in two games during the 2020 season, the 6’6”, 280-pound Agunloye emerged as a contributor on the defensive line this season. The New York native appeared in nine games, totaling 10 tackles, a half a tackle for loss, one pass breakup and one fumble recovery. With Mandy Alonso and Adeeb Atariwa moving on and Aaron Faumui, Nusi Malani and Jordan Redmond in the transfer portal and potentially leaving as well, losing Agunloye would have been a significant blow to the next season's defensive line unit.

On Thursday (December 16), 247Sports and Rivals reported that a pair of Virginia offensive players – starting right tackle Ryan Swoboda and redshirt freshman reserve tight end Joshua Rawlings - had also entered the transfer portal.

The 6’10”, 325-pound Swoboda started at right tackle each of the past two seasons. Five offensive linemen - Swoboda, center Olusegun Oluwatimi, tackle/guard Bobby Haskins, guard Joe Bissinger, and guard Kariem Al Soufi - have all entered the portal. Swoboda and Oluwatimi were full-time starters this past season. Bissinger started the first half of the season at left guard before Virginia moved Ryan Nelson inside to left guard, paving the way for Haskins to become the starting left tackle the latter half of the season. Oluwatimi, Swoboda and Haskins were counted upon to be starters once again for the Hoos next season. Starting left tackle/guard Ryan Nelson is eligible to return, although his plans are uncertain, while starting right guard Chris Glaser won’t be back because he is out of eligibility. It stands to reason the final decisions from Oluwatimi, Haskins and Swoboda could impact whether or not quarterback Brennan Armstrong returns or declares for the 2022 NFL Draft.

Virginia has been active in terms of pursuing transfer offensive linemen. Most recently, after Tony Elliott was introduced as new head coach, the Hoos offered East Tennessee State offensive lineman Tre’Mond Shorts, a 6’4”, 325-pound graduate transfer. UVA has competition for Shorts as the FCS Hero All-American also claims offers from Colorado, LSU, Nebraska, Purdue and Rutgers, among many others.

Rawlings’ announcement comes on the heels of star tight end Jelani Woods declaring for the 2022 NFL Draft. If Rawlings, who enrolled on Grounds in January of 2019, does not return, Virginia would have four scholarship tight ends on the 2022 roster – Grant Misch (rising senior), Sackett Wood Jr. (rising junior), Jack Witmer (rising redshirt freshman) and Karson Gay (true freshman).

Listed below are the Virginia players who have reportedly entered the transfer portal as of Friday, December 17. Keep in mind that Bronco Mendenhall said players who enter the portal can still practice with the team and play in the bowl game if they choose.

UVA Scholarship Players In The Portal (Note: Those with * are seniors with extra eligibility because of COVID.)

OFFENSE

- Ira Armstead, QB, Redshirt Freshman – Transferring to Eastern Illinois

- Jacob Rodriguez, QB, True Freshman

- Jaylon Baker, WR/DB, Redshirt Junior

- Jesiah Davis, WR, True Freshman

-Ugo Obasi, WR, Junior

-Joshua Rawlings, TE, Redshirt Freshman

-Kariem Al Soufi, OG, Redshirt Sophomore

- Joe Bissinger, OG, Redshirt Junior

- Bobby Haskins, OL, Senior*
12/9 Update: According to 247 Sports, Haskins has scheduled a visit to Southern Cal.

- Olusegun Oluwatimi, C, Senior*
12/13 Update: Oluwatimi plans to either return to UVA or attend another college next season. He will not enter the 2022 NFL Draft. He told reporters he has taken a recruiting visit to Michigan since the regular season ended.

-Ryan Swoboda, OT, Senior*

DEFENSE

- Aaron Faumui, DL, Junior

- Nusi Malani, DL, Sophomore

- Olasunkonmi Ogunloye, DL, Redshirt Freshman – Has withdrawn from the portal, intends to stay at UVA.

- Jordan Redmond, DL, Redshirt Junior

- Noah Taylor, LB, Senior*

- Tenyeh Dixon, DB, Redshirt Freshman

- Joseph White, DB, Redshirt Junior

Players Transferring To UVA

- Devin Chandler, WR, Redshirt Freshman, University of Wisconsin. Chandler announced his transfer the day Bronco Mendenhall resigned. UVA announced on Wednesday, December 15, that he has signed and plans to enroll in January of 2022.