Head Coach Tony Elliott and his staff led the annual spring game for Virginia football on Saturday. The Spring Game represents the finale for UVA spring practices and gives us a bit of an inside look at what the 2026 team could look like. Something to note is we were not provided final stats from the game, so unfortunately no official numbers. Read below for 5 takeaways I had from the game between certain position groups and names!
- Beau Pribula
Saturday was our first chance to see Missouri transfer Beau Pribula play in a live game, while we got a small sample size, the speed was evident. Pribula did not get many opportunities to pass but he did complete one 30-yard pass to UCLA transfer Rico Flores. He had a good zip on the ball and moved around nicely in the pocket. Of course, to avoid any injury, plays were whistled down when Pribula was just touched so we did not get an amazing grip on escaping certain situations or an ability to break sacks. Here is what Tony Elliott said postgame, ” I think he’s a dynamic athlete that that has a lot of confidence extending plays. I thought he did a did a solid job too of sitting in there and trying to find his progression and driving the ball when he needed.” Beau felt good finally getting out on the field at full game speed, “Feels good to be out there, in that stadium too. You know, get a game day environment and game day operation. It was good to get out there.”
2. Defensive back room
We knew entering the spring that the defensive back room was loaded with a lot of talent. There were 3 interceptions yesterday if my count is correct. Of course, the blame can go to a QB or WR for not making catches but regardless, great plays were made. Josiah Persinger, Kevon Gray, and Jalen McNair all had interceptions. Not only that, but the defensive backs were also consistently not allowing receivers to make plays. A note on Persinger, so much speed and versatility. We knew the 2nd year from Salem Virginia was quick, but it was on full display all day Saturday. The room is filled with new faces as it was last year, Coach Rud joked postgame reflecting on the fact this time last year UVA was playing linebackers at safety. “Yeah, we had a few linebackers playing safety in the spring game last year the uh and but that’s what you do is you find a way to have the group that we have.” Here is more of Coach Rud’s thoughts on the defensive backs, “Really competitive group with a ton of, you know, both power four, group of five experience. They’re super competitive. They love football.”
3. Running backs, running backs, and more running backs
Another position group we knew would be LOADED was the running backs. 5 running backs got quality time Saturday between Peyton Lewis, Jekail Middlebrook, Solomon Beebee, Jack Stevens, and Xay Davis. Noah Vaughn was out for precautionary reasons and Xavier Brown is still recovering from last season’s injury. Peyton Lewis started the running game with a 51-yard rush not quite to the end zone being hawked down my Fisher Camac. Solomon Beebee had a very nice game with multiple chunk plays and even being a pass catcher. “It was good to see Jekail Middlebrook, right? Solomon BeeBee do some of the things that they did because we haven’t really tackled much this spring.” Des Kitchings said postgame, “So, to see them break some tackles was really exciting and encouraging, you know, Peyton to break a long run. Beebee commented postgame on the halfback depth, “Really all of us have our own skill set and all of us able to produce and each and every one they’re able to I’m just looking forward to all of us.”
4. Defensive line
The D-Line is another group that is very stacked and looked good Saturday. They were led by 3rd year Chase Morrison who unofficially had between 3-5 sacks. Morrison has been through a lot between injuries and now switching to DT, but he was very excited Saturday to get on the field and get rolling. “You’re ready to make contact, ready to, you know, yeah, lay somebody out, you know, put somebody on the ground and whatnot.” And yes, Morrison noted obviously do not want to hurt anybody, just having the urge to put somebody on the grass. He also noted how close the team chemistry has gotten, “Spring’s been good. It’s been a good spring for the whole team. You know, we built up a lot of good team chemistry, getting closer as a team, performing, Dline balling out and whatnot.“ Meanwhile, Jason Hammond is beginning to step up as a leader defensively with the absence of Jahmeer Carter. “It was a realization early on, coming into this year that, you know, Jah isn’t here anymore. you know, he’s a guy that we came in our first year thinking that he was going to be out the door the next year, but you know, he stayed for two more years. So, you know, we kind of just let Jah lead and not to say that we didn’t lead with him last year, but you know, you could definitely notice that he’s gone.” Hammond is taking next steps with Anthony Britton to step up as leaders, “For starters, I would say, just spending more time with guys outside the building. I think that’s a big part of building a team. I think a lot of people don’t really understand um how far that goes. It’s cool hanging out with guys in in in the building, but when you’re around guys outside of the building, you get to learn them a little more. It allows you to play a little better. Not only that, but it allows you to care for your brother a little more um and lay your body on the line.”
5. Dakota Twitty
I cannot stress enough how much of a blow it was for the Cavaliers to lose Dakota Twitty last season. Well, I can say with confidence that he is back and well. Twitty showed athleticism Saturday catching passes and getting back in the blocking game. For those who do not remember, Twitty moved from receiver to tight end before last season and exceled in that role allowing Virginia to go 12 personnel. Des Kitchings was very happy with having Twitty back, “I’m probably as hard on Dakota as anybody on the offensive side of the ball, right? Because you know this is coming up on his senior year and in a lot of pieces is making sure that hey man, you’re capitalizing every day to train your body right because things happen unfortunately no doubt. You’re a tight end that’s a part O lineman right you’re a tight end that’s part receiver so let’s make sure our shoulders build up the right way to block like all those things.” The offense is without a doubt a different offense when Dakota Twitty is on and off the field. He will be paired with John Rogers on the field in 12 personnel early and often this season.
Overall, with lack of true sacks and play calls, it is tough to draw true conclusions from the spring game. We were, however, able to understand a couple of position groups a little more and some players who are taking the next step. We will have more spring football content upcoming soon with a closer look at some of those players and their stories. Stay tuned for all future articles right here on The Cavalier Connection.