Virginia Cavaliers Chandler Morris
Chandler Morris rushed for a touchdown in the Virginia win against rival Virginia Tech last season. ~ Photo by Kris Wright/TheSabre.com

Quarterback Chandler Morris transferred to the Virginia football program last year and then turned in a strong 2025 season. He helped the Hoos post the most wins in program history with an 11-3 final record that included a Gator Bowl victory.

Along the way, Morris completed 282 of 436 passes (64.7%) for 3,000 yards and 16 touchdowns with 9 interceptions. He added 245 rushing yards with a career-high 5 rushing touchdowns as well. UVA defeated rival Virginia Tech 27-7 as part of the campaign with Morris rushing for a TD in that game.

After the season, Morris filed an appeal for a waiver from the NCAA for an additional year of eligibility. His first season in 2020 did not count as all players received a blanket waiver during the pandemic and he played in four games for TCU in 2021 for a redshirt season. However, he played in at least four games in 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025 with two years at TCU, one year at North Texas, and one year at UVA. That typically would exhaust one’s eligibility unless a medical hardship waiver is granted from the NCAA.

Morris’ appeal was based on the 2022 season at TCU. He opened that season as the starting quarterback, but got knocked out of the lineup with a knee injury early in the season. He returned to play 26 snaps late in the season. Typically, if an injury is not season-ending, then the NCAA has denied a medical hardship waiver. The NCAA denied the waiver in this case as well.

After going through the NCAA steps that denied the initial waiver request and an appeal, Morris decided to file a lawsuit seeking an additional year of eligibility. The court case in Charlottesville is scheduled for April 2. Based on court filings, the 2022 snaps are at the center of the case because Morris returned to the field, in part, due to his mental health at the time. He and UVA provided supporting documents to the NCAA detailing mental-health struggles during injury-challenged seasons included 2022. The New York Times explained much of the case with quotes from Morris and his father in this article.

The NCAA also made a filing in the case this week. It submitted a 530-page brief arguing on the organization’s behalf. Included in the brief was a statement from ACC commissioner Jim Phillips in support of NCAA eligibility rules, though it does not mention Morris’ case specifically.

While this case works its way through the system, Virginia obviously had to begin preparations for the 2026 season. The Hoos signed two quarterbacks from the transfer portal in Missouri’s Beau Pribula and Pittsburgh’s Eli Holstein. Both have previous starting experience. UVA began spring practices this month with both already enrolled.

Asked about how he has handled the situation with the current roster and whether Morris would be able to practice with the team if granted a court injunction, Virginia coach Tony Elliott said that he would wait to make any decisions based on the court’s ruling.

“We’ll make a determination once we find out what’s going on there. I think those guys knew that this was a possibility coming in the door. But really the focus has been on the guys that are here right now,” Elliott said. “And I think Chandler respects that, him and his dad understand that all parties got to kind of got investment in all different areas, so to speak. So we’ll see how that goes with him next week. And just kinda, I’m trying not to, it’s a difficult situation. And so I’m just trying to be present where my feet are. And then when the situation arises, then we’ll know which direction to go once we get there.”

Morris remains enrolled in classes per the New York Times. He had surgery in January on his left shoulder (non-throwing shoulder) and has not yet been cleared for a return to full activities. The New York Times quoted Morris as understanding the situation with the quarterback position at Virginia.

“[Virginia] had to go out and get somebody to protect the program,” Morris said in the article. “I hope it all works out ... and then I’ll put my head down and go compete. I’ve really found a home at UVA. I would love to be able to run it back with those guys and go play another year with my brothers.”

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