Depth Already Paying Off as UVA Battles Early Injuries
Injuries are already making headlines at UVA’s fall football camp, with key transfers and expected starters sidelined before the season even kicks off. From the offensive line to the secondary, Tony Elliott’s squad is being tested early — but the depth built through the transfer portal may help steady the ship. This article dives into the latest injury news, who’s stepping up, and the tough decisions ahead as the Hoos prepare for the season opener against Coastal Carolina.
Jay Ballard
8/7/20251 min read
Fall camp is barely underway, and already, it feels like UVA’s injury report is longer than a syllabus on the first day of class.
Offensive lineman Makilan Thomas, a key transfer from Arkansas State, is out for multiple months with a foot injury. That news follows the spring ACL tear that sidelined Louisville transfer Monroe Mills, who was expected to be a starter this fall. And now, cornerback Jamaric Morris, a promising addition to the secondary, will miss the entire season with a knee injury.
At this point, you start to wonder if there’s something in the water—or maybe Scott Stadium is built on an ancient burial ground. Either way, it’s a tough blow before a single snap has been played.
The good news? This is exactly why Tony Elliott and his staff were so aggressive in the portal. With additions like Brady Wilson, Tyshawn Wyatt, David Wohlabaugh Jr., Wallace Unamba, and Kevin Wigenton II, along with returning guys like Drake Metcalf, McKale Boley, and Noah Josey, UVA has the bodies to keep going. Sophomore Ben York is already stepping into a larger role, and every rep he takes in Thomas’s absence is another chance to develop depth that could pay off later this fall.
That said, staying healthy has to become a top priority moving forward. Do you dial back the full-contact periods? Limit the number of live reps for veteran starters? It’s a tricky balance — you need physicality to prepare, but you can’t afford to lose more key pieces. The staff has some tough decisions to make as the Hoos push through the rest of August.
Injuries are part of the game, but this year’s roster is better equipped to handle adversity than in years past. The challenge now is keeping that depth intact and getting everyone on the same page before Coastal Carolina rolls into Scott Stadium on August 30. Go Hoos!
