Antonio Clary is among the players excited for the bowl trip. For the long-time Cavalier safety, it’s a homecoming game as he returns to Jacksonville. It’s not too far for tight end Sage Ennis, from Tallahasee, either as he also prepares for his final game with the Hoos.
While those players likely are looking forward to the trip, others from both teams are not expected to participate in the bowl game. Those decisions are transfer portal related. For Virginia, that includes Ja’Son Prevard, Suderian Harrison, Dre Walker, and Mekhi Buchanan. Prevard started 12 games for the Hoos this season, while the others saw limited or no snaps.
On the other side, Missouri is facing similar decisions. Eight different players have been reported with expectations to enter the transfer portal with Beau Pribula, Marquis Johnson, Javion Hilson, Joshua Manning, Marquise Davis, Brendon Haygood, James Madison II, and Caleb Flagg on the list. That group impacts the passing game for the Tigers in a big way. Pribula is the starting quarterback and threw for 1,941 yards and 11 touchdowns in 10 games this season. Johnson and Manning, meanwhile, had been top receiving targets with 57 catches, 658 yards, and 4 TDs combined. The offensive coordinator also moved on to a head coaching job.
Missouri coach Eli Drinkwitz told local media that tampering and the portal calendar remain a problem for college football. He also noted that some players under two-year NIL deals still entered the portal, bringing buyouts and such into play.
“Some of the players that have entered the portal were under two-year contracts, and their anticipation is that another school will pay their buyout or they'll pay it back themselves,” Drinkwitz said. “So, you know, contracts are contracts. I think there's been an assumption that, not gonna go there. So we'll see, we'll see, you know. Right now, there are perceived rules, and then we'll figure out what are the real rules moving forward. But I think, you know, we have a lot of guys we've met with every player, and again, the main goal is to finish this season. I think we still will have guys enter the portal after the bowl game. They felt like it was important for them to finish the season, which I respect, and believe, you know, that's the best for them. We have a lot of guys who've signed contracts, plan on returning, are under two-year contracts. All of our two-year contracts have a buyout. So if guys leave with a two-year contract, you enter into the portal with the tag on it says buyout, and the next school is responsible for figuring that out. So we'll see how that all plays out in the future.”
Virginia fans discussed Missouri’s quarterback entering the portal here and how it might impact the game. UVA, of course, is also waiting on its own quarterback situation to gain clarity. Chandler Morris is applying for a medical hardship waiver with no timetable known for an NCAA decision on that front.
Even with the bowl game looming, that means both programs are also busy preparing for the portal and the 2026 season at the same time. Preston Willett and The Daily Progress’ Greg Madia tried to tackle some of the roster building questions facing the Hoos in a Sabre mailbag version of the Hoos On Podcast. Check out that full episode here.
"There are a lot of players with decisions to make."
One of the toughest questions in college sports: Who has eligibility?@GregMadia and I dive into the UVA roster to see who could return next season⬇️ https://t.co/Z2l2hdjJKV pic.twitter.com/dVaewsnZ22— Preston Willett (@PrestonWillett) December 17, 2025
Fan(s) Of The Week
Fans had a great time cheering on the Cavaliers at Scott Stadium.
Student Fan(s) Of The Week
Go Hoos!
Feature Photo Of The Week
Cazeem Moore and the Virginia defense helped the Hoos reach 10 wins before the bowl game.
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