The Virginia football team may not bring in as many transfers as last season when a roster reboot saw 31 players join the program, but it will be important to target specific areas to fill again this go round. On Wednesday, the Hoos had some success in that regard as they picked up two more commitments that address positions of need.
UVA signed Tennessee running back Peyton Lewis and Baylor edge Matthew Fobbs-White from the transfer portal. Both slot into positions where the Cavaliers need to add depth with some significant production exiting as players have completed their eligibility.
At running back, J’Mari Taylor and Harrison Waylee, this year’s leading rushers both have finished their college football careers. That duo combined for more than 1,600 yards and 20 rushing touchdowns this past season. UVA expects to have Xavier Brown, Noah Vaughn, and Xay Davis back at the spot, but Brown and Vaughn each have some injury history, including this past season so it was important for the Cavaliers to add more at the position.
Earlier in the week, the Hoos picked up Middle Tennessee running back Jekail Middlebrook, who earned Honorable Mention All-CUSA honors in 2025. Lewis is another experienced back to bring to the room. He played two seasons with Tennessee where he appeared in 23 games and rushed for 629 yards with 10 touchdowns.
The 6’1”, 212-pound back chose the Volunteers as a 4-star recruit out of Salem High School near Roanoke and UVA recruited him the first time around as well. He was ranked as the No. 2 player in the state of Virginia by On3 and the No. 5 player in the state by 247Sports. Lewis also ran track for the Spartans, winning a state title in the 200 meters so he brings some speed to the table.
On the defensive side of the ball, Daniel Rickert completed his college career by leading the Hoos in sacks this year with 6.5. Cazeem Moore also finished up his career with 3.0 sacks for the Hoos. While UVA does have some in-house depth developing, there was a need to bring in at least one outside edge lineman this cycle.
Fobbs-White ranked in the top 10 in the Big 12 with 33 pressures last season at Baylor, though he did not record a sack. For comparison sack, Rickert had 42 pressures for UVA. Fobbs-White had 19 tackles.
Prior to Baylor, the 6’3”, 235-pounder played at Tulane for two seasons at outside linebacker. According to Pro Football Focus, Fobbs-White logged pass rush grades of 90.6 and 91.4 on 168 snaps with the Green Wave. He had 21 tackles in 2024 with 15 pressures, 4 sacks, and a forced fumble.
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