It’s no secret that the Virginia football program secured multiple donations rumored to be in the range of $20-30 million this offseason and pulled in a large transfer class. The Cavaliers brought in 31 transfer commitments that 247 Sports ranked as the No. 26 class nationally.
UVA’s commitments included 9 defensive backs and 7 offensive linemen, accounting for half of the transfer list. Early in preseason camp, it’s already clear why stockpiling those positions was so important. The Hoos have incurred multiple injuries at those two positions over the last six months.
On the offensive line, Louisville transfer Monroe Mills and Arkansas State transfer Makilan Thomas both have had significant injuries. Mills suffered an ACL tear in the spring and is out for the year. Thomas recently suffered a foot fracture during a non-contact drill and is out for an undetermined amount of time, though the recovery timeline for that type of injury is usually measured in months. Both players were considered serious contenders to start, though it isn’t clear if Thomas was a spring pickup in part as a reaction to Mills’ injury.
In the secondary, Georgia State transfer Ja’Maric Morris posted on Instagram that he suffered a torn ACL in the early part of preseason practice. He will miss the season. Virginia also already lost Jam Jackson, who started all 12 games last season, and Dre Walker, who battled injuries throughout last season, for the season. All three play the cornerback position.
“I thought Ja’Maric was doing a really good job until he went out of practice,” UVA coach Tony Elliott said of how Morris had looked prior to his injury.
The Hoos hope they can absorb these injuries with heightened depth on the roster after their activity in the transfer portal in the offseason.
Beyond Mills and Thomas on the offensive line, 10 other players have starting experience. That includes McKale Boley and Noah Josey that have started previously at Virginia. Boley started every game in 2023, while Josey has started every game the last two seasons. Jack Witmer started early last season for UVA when Boley was working his way back from a preseason injury.
Brady Wilson, a UAB transfer, started 31 times in his career prior to joining Virginia. Wallace Unamba, a New Mexico transfer, started 10 games last season for the Lobos. TyShawn Wyatt, a JMU transfer, started games from 2021-2023 before an injury knocked him out for all of 2024. Drake Metcalf, a UCF transfer to UVA in 2024, missed all of last season with an Achilles’ injury but he did start four times at Central Florida. David Wholabaugh Jr., a Kentucky and Syracuse transfer, started at least one game from 2022-2024. Kevin Wigenton II, a Michigan State and Illinois transfer, started 6 games with MSU in 2023. Ethan Sipe, a Dartmouth transfer, started previously for The Big Green, but he missed last season at UVA due to a broken foot similar to the one suffered by Thomas this season.
Flipping to the secondary, 10 other players have starting experience as well. Antonio Clary, who is not a full participant yet this preseason, has been a fixture at Virginia while battling several injuries. Caleb Hardy has also started games at safety for the Cavaliers before as underclassmen.
Devin Neal, a Louisville and Baylor transfer, started games for both of those programs previously. Kenan Johnson, a Georgia Tech and Utah transfer, started 8 games in 2023 at GT. Donavon Platt, an Army transfer, started all 14 games last season there. Da’Marcus Crosby II, a Sam Houston and New Mexico State transfer, started games for both of those schools. Ja’Son Prevard, a Morgan State transfer, started all 12 games there last season. Christian Charles, a Tennessee transfer, started games at corner for the Vols. Emmanuel Karnley, an Arizona transfer, logged 6 starts there last season. Jordan Robinson, a Kentucky and Cincinnati transfer, has started as well.
Already positions of interest with so many experienced players in the mix, keep an eye on both the offensive line and secondary as the preseason continues.
1 Comment