Chandler Morris on His Final Stop: Why Virginia is the Right Fit at the Right Time

At ACC Football Kickoff 2025, veteran quarterback Chandler Morris stepped into the spotlight as one of Virginia’s most intriguing offseason additions. After a college career that’s taken him from Oklahoma to TCU to North Texas, Morris is now ready to lead a program hungry for a resurgence — and for him, the decision to choose UVA was as personal as it was strategic.

“I’ve known Coach Elliott since I was 11 or 12 years old,” Morris said, referencing his long-standing family connection through his father, Chad Morris, a veteran coach himself. “At the end of the day, I asked myself, ‘What does Chandler Morris want?’ And I just wanted to be around good people. That’s what brought me here.”

Morris emphasized that it wasn’t just Elliott’s presence that sold him — it was the energy of the staff, the visit to Charlottesville, and a fan base he called “hungry” to win again. “You could feel how much this program wants to get it right,” he said. “That mattered to me.”

Adapting, Leading, and Competing

With four schools under his belt, Morris has had to adapt to countless systems, teammates, and expectations. But rather than see that as instability, he views it as his edge. “You can’t coach experience,” he said. “I’ve seen the highs and the lows. I’ve been the guy, I’ve lost the job, I’ve come back. That helps me relate to my teammates. Football won’t always love you back.”

And that connection is already showing up. Arriving in January, Morris credits guys like Jahmeer Carter and Noah Josey for welcoming him with open arms. “They made me feel like part of the family right away,” he said.

In a quarterback room that has seen major turnover — with Tony Muskett graduating and Colandrea and Frakes transferring — Morris has quickly become the veteran leader. But don’t expect him to be loud unless the moment calls for it. “I’m vocal when I need to be, but I’m also going to sweat with my guys. They need to know I’m right there beside them.”

Fitting into the Scheme — and Setting the Tone

Morris says working with offensive coordinator Des Kitchings has been a collaborative process. “It’s been about meeting in the middle — what they want, and what I’m good at,” he said. “There’s been real effort to tailor things to my strengths, and I appreciate that.”

Those strengths include experience, playmaking ability with his feet, and an ability to extend plays when things break down. “I think I bring a dynamic element,” Morris said. “I can make something out of nothing.”

Eyes on Tech, and One on the Future

It didn’t take long for Morris to learn about the Commonwealth Clash. “I knew about the Virginia Tech rivalry even back in Texas,” he laughed. “It’s serious. I’m excited to be a part of it.”

And in case you were wondering — yes, Morris has played as himself in EA Sports College Football 26. “Well, kind of,” he said with a grin. “I don’t have the new Xbox, but my buddy played as me. First play: read-option, cribbed it. I need that in real life.”

Final Thoughts:

Morris may be new to UVA, but he speaks like a guy who’s already bought into everything the program stands for. In his final year of eligibility, he’s not chasing attention — he’s chasing impact, for himself and for a program looking to turn the corner.

“I just want to help this team win. Simple as that.”