The Virginia football team continued its quest to add depth to the secondary this weekend with a commitment from Southern Methodist University transfer Sam Westfall. The cornerback is the fourth incoming transfer following the spring semester, while five others participated in spring practice and remain on the UVA roster.

Westfall announced his decision on social media.

Westfall joined Clemson transfer Malcolm Greene as a recent secondary addition. The Cavaliers planned to add portal prospects there after losing two starting corners from last season.

Anthony Johnson signed with the New Orleans Saints as a free agent, while Fentrell Cypress II transferred to Florida State. Other corners already in the program have either dealt with injuries or are underclassmen - the team even practiced listed safety Coen King, a senior, at corner in the spring - so bringing in experienced options should increase competition at the spot. Greene, who started five games at Clemson, and Tayvonn Kyle, who started 12 games in his career before transferring out of Iowa State and participating in 2023 spring practice at Virginia, showed the experience blueprint for the types of players that UVA wanted from the portal.

Westfall fits that mold too. He started 11 games last season at SMU where he posted 15 tackles and 3 pass breakups. The 2022 season marked his fourth with the Mustangs - he redshirted while playing one game in 2019, played mostly on special teams in 2020 (that’s the eligibility frozen year from the pandemic), appeared in seven games in 2021, and started 11 times in 13 games played last season. He also spent 2018 at Mesa Community College where he was an All-ACCAC (Arizona Community College Athletic Conference) pick with 27 tackles and 9 pass break-ups.

The 5’11”, 175-pound Utah native was rated as a 3-star recruit by 247 Sports when he transferred out of Mesa. With one year of eligibility remaining, he chose Virginia after a recent visit. In addition to Westfall and Greene, Dayton offensive lineman Brian Stevens and Penn State offensive lineman Jimmy Christ committed to the Cavaliers this spring. Kyle, quarterback Tony Muskett, receiver Malik Washington, offensive lineman Ugonna Nnanna, and running back Kobe Pace transferred into the program before the spring semester and participated in spring practice.