When it comes to the transfer portal this week, the Virginia football program’s primary focus has been the secondary. The Cavaliers added their second defensive back of the week when Emmanuel Karnley from Arizona then Miami committed.

Karnley’s agent Shawn O’Gorman confirmed the commitment to 247 Sports and On3.

Karnley began his career at Arizona where he redshirted in 2023 and then appeared in 10 contests with 6 starts in 2024. He posted 16 tackles with 5 pass breakups. That included 2 pass break-ups against Utah in his first collegiate start. After last season, he transferred to Miami where he participated in spring practices before re-entering the portal. Karnley still has three years of eligibility remaining.

Per Pro Football Focus, Karnley played 201 coverage snaps in 2024. He allowed 22 catches on 43 targets toward his receiver, a 51.2% reception rate. The PFF data tagged him with a 59.5 coverage grade (below average).

At 6’3”, 184 pounds, Karnley matches the type of defensive back John Rudzinski and the Hoos like in the secondary. They often seek out prospects with long wing spans and range to cover up zones or challenge passes in man coverage. Of the 18 players listed on the roster, 14 checked in at at least 6’0”.

That list includes Jordan Robinson (6’4”, 210), who Virginia brought in as a transfer from Cincinnati earlier this month, but not Christian Charles (6’1”, 200), the other commitment in the secondary this week. During the winter portal cycle, UVA picked up Devin Neal (5’11”, 202) and Ja’Son Prevard (6’3”, 185) as well. Both participated in spring practices with Prevard taking a lot of corner snaps later on due to a potential long-term injury for Jam Jackson.

The focus in the secondary was expected in the transfer market as Virginia coach Tony Elliott noted during the spring a need to build depth on the back end of the defense. The Cavaliers lost Kempton Shine and Kendren Smith, who played more than 600 coverage snaps last season combined. UVA also saw safety Jonas Sanker, who led the team with 796 total snaps last season, get drafted by the New Orleans Saints. With outbound transfers also in the mix, that meant roster additions were necessary.

Virginia has placed significant attention on the defensive backs and defensive line in the transfer portal in an effort to improve its performance. The defense ranked 121st in pass defense (263.1 yards per game) and 108th (tie) in sacks (19) nationally last season.

Discuss it on the message board