Live Thread: Transfer Portal and returners tracker
Here is a live thread of all of the Cavaliers who have announced are returning to the program in 2026, leaving for the NFL draft, transferring out, and transferring in!
In the year 2026, College Football is the most chaotic sport as far as the offseason goes. Players returning, leaving entering, below is a live always updating thread of players who have announced they are returning, leaving, and some portal commits as well!
Returning
Below are all of the following players who have announced they are returning to the program in 2026:
OL - Makilan Thomas - The offensive lineman came from Arkansas State in 2024, however did not play a snap this season due to offseason injury.
OL - Drake Metcalf - Metcalf is entering his fifth season of College Football. He played at Stanford and UCF prior to starting all 14 games for the Wahoo's in 2025.
OL - Monroe Mills - The huge offensive tackle who was set to play his sixth season of College Football at Virginia in 2025 also had an offseason injury. A physical specimen at 320 pounds and previously played at Oklahoma State, Texas Tech, and Louisville.
OL - Noah Josey - Josey has been a staple to the Virginia offensive line since the Bronco Mendenhall days. He will play his sixth season of College Football after starting all 14 games last season.
OL - McKale Boley - Boley will play his 5th and final season with the 'Hoos in 2026. One of the biggest smiles on the team, he has had some trouble staying healthy but played all year at Tackle for Virginia in 2025. Boley announcing his return rounded out a full offensive line returning for Virginia, question is can they all stay healthy.
TE - Dakota Twitty - Twitty was a Wide Receiver turned Tight End and embraced the role very well. Before getting injured against Louisville, Twitty racked up 11 receptions for 129 yards, a mismatch nightmare. Not only was he impactful receiving the ball, but was an outstanding run blocker, and played really well in 12 personnel with Sage Ennis. He will be extremely important to the Cavalier offense in 2026.
Edge - Fisher Camac - Camac will be entering his senior season at Virginia in 2026 after starting every game in 2025. Prior to Virginia, he played at UNLV for two seasons. At Virginia in 2025, Camac racked up 45 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, and 4.5 sacks. He also forced a fumble.
DT - Jason Hammond - Hammond will be returning for his fourth season at Virginia. After being injured in 2024, Hammond had a great 2025 making 32 tackles, 3 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, and forcing a fumble.
WR - Jahmal Edrine - Edrine came from Purdue in 2024 and was a big piece in Des Kitchings offense. This will be his fifth and likely final season in College Football. He had 46 receptions for 564 yards in 2025. At 6'3 221 pounds, Edrine is huge; not only is he a great receiver, but he is also great for run blocking. Multiple times throughout the season Edrine bullied Cornerbacks who attempted to make a stop.
LB - Maddox Marcellus - Marcellus initially announced he would be entering the transfer portal but shortly after announced he would return to UVA. He played a pivotal role at the end of the season when star linebacker Kam Robinson went down. After two seasons at Eastern Kentucky, Marcellus finished 2025 with 49 tackles, 2.5 TFL's, and 1.5 sacks. He also had an interception.
DT - Anthony Britton - The in state defensive lineman was a part of Tony Elliott's first recruiting class. He is entering his fourth season after forcing 2 fumbles and making 30 tackles in 2025.
Safety - Ethan Minter - Minter was a 4-year starting QB in state at Thomas Dale High School. Now, Minter is entering his Junior year at UVA after starting 13/14 games at safety in 2025. Minter had 47 tackles, 4 TFL's, and an interception in 2025.
Kicker - Will Bettridge - Bettridge will play his 5th season of College Football after making the most kicks in UVA history in the Gator Bowl.
Punter - Daniel Sparks - Sparks is set to punt for his 6th year in College Football, 5th in a Cavalier Uniform.
Players leaving
Below are all of the players who have announced are entering the portal.
OL - Tyshawn Wyatt - Entering 6th year of College Football after playing at JMU for 4 years and 1 for UVA.
CB - Ja'son Prevard - Played key role in UVA DB room in 2025. One-year of eligibility remaining.
CB - Dre Walker - Did not get much playing time in 2025. Enters third year of College Football.
Edge - Mekhi Buchanan - Did not see the field much after a solid freshman season. Entering third season.
WR - Suderian Harrison - The speedy Receiver redshirted in 2025. Not many downs but solid numbers.
LB - Trey McDonald - Enters 5th season of College Football after four years at Virginia.
DL - Terrell Jones - Enters 5th season of College Football.
WR - Andre Green - Originally transferred from UNC, did not get much playing time in 2025.
LB - Stevie Bracey - Enters fourth year of College Football after only playing in 2 games in 2025.
DT - Hunter Osborne - Came from Alabama, got some playing time but moving on to third season.
WR - Kameron Courtney - In state recruit from Freedom High School, enters portal after 2 years at UVA.
WR - Trell Harris - UVA's top receiver entered portal with final year committing to Oklahoma.
WR - Eli Wood - Wood was not on scholarship at UVA, after a good end to the year looking for a new home.
QB - Daniel Kaelin - Came from Nebraska, Kaelin looking for somewhere he can start.
CB - Emmanuel Karnley - Came from Arizona, had a great Junior year at UVA. Entering 4th year.
QB - Bjorn Jurgenson - Jurgenson had a lot of hype as a 4-star QB out of Florida, unfortunately, once UVA got two more commits at QB in the portal, Bjorn decided to step away, can't blame him.
Other names - Davis Lane Jr and Grady Brosterhous
Transfer Commits
Safety - Christian Ellis - 3 star from Virginia Tech, Ellis is the first Commit in the portal for the 'Hoos. After 3 years in New Mexico, Ellis played his 4th year in Blacksburg. He had a limited role only appearing in 3 games in 2025.
RB - Jekail Middlebrook - 3 star from Middle Tennessee State. Entering 3rd year after 752 yards and 3 touchdowns in 2025.
RB - Peyton Lewis - 3 star from Tennessee. In state running back coming back home after 2 years in the SEC. In 2025 he recorded 290 yards and 7 touchdowns. Entering third year of College Football.
CB - Jacobie Henderson - 3 star from Rutgers. Played at Marshall for 3 years before headed to the Big 10. Had 42 tackles in 2025 for Rutgers.
Edge - Matthew Fobbs-White - 3 star from Baylor. Played at Tulane for 2 seasons before transferring to Baylor. In 2025 he had 18 tackles. Fobbs-White is entering his senior season.
LS - Wyatt Rubinoff - No star rating from New Hampshire. Played in 13 games at the FCS level. No recorded statistics. Entering Sophomore year.
Edge - Ezekiel Larry - 3 star from Yale. A nice piece on the defensive line for Yale recording 48 tackles and 10.5 sacks in 2025. Larry enters his third year of College Football.
Edge - Nnanna Anyanwu - 3 star from UTSA. Had 5 sacks and 7 TFL's for the Roadrunners in his second season in 2025. Now commits to Virginia for his third season.
RB - Solomon Beebe - 3 star from UAB. Beebe is a similar transfer to what Cam Ross was last season being a kick returner. With a total of 600 return yards, Beebe will certainly be the guy for UVA returning kicks.
CB - Jaylen Jones - 2 star from Georgia State. Jones enters his 5th season of College Football after making 66 tackles and an interception in 2025.
TE - Connor Cox - 3 star from UNC. Cox played a run blocking role for the Tar Heels in 2025. Only catching 5 passes in 2025, Cox enters his second season with the Wahoo's playing alongside Dakota Twitty. Connor Cox is huge at 6'6 250.
Edge - Devon Baxter - 4 star from Michigan. Feels very similar to the Mitchell Melton pickup from Ohio State last year, except Baxter is only a sophomore.
Edge - Jamond Mathis - 3 star from Kent State. Mathis is entering his 2nd season of College Football after playing a solid season with the Golden Flash. He had 28 tackles and 8 total sacks.
DL - Zion Wilson - No star rating from ECU. Had 42 tackles and 7 sacks in his freshman year with the Pirates.
WR - Rico Flores - 3 star from UCLA. Just wrapped up his 2nd year at UCLA with 26 receptions for 274 yards. He was originally committed to Notre Dame and played 2023 there.
OT - Alex Payne - 4 star out of USC. Payne joined USC in the spring of 2025 as a freshman but did not get any playing time his freshman season.
QB - Beau Pribula - 3 star from Missouri. Beau committed as the first QB for Virginia to get after Chandler Morris' waiver was denied. Pribula is entering his senior season after playing at Penn State for 2 years and Missouri for one. Looked pretty good last year until a freak accident of an injury, physical and can get on the move.
QB - Eli Holstein - 4 star from Pitt. A day after Pribula committed, Holstein joined the party after being portrayed as a "Mystery QB" that was visiting grounds. Holstein was the starter for Pitt for the first few games of the season before being benched. He is looking for a new start at Virginia as he is entering his redshirt sophomore season.
CB - Justin Ross - 3 star from Navy. Ross just wrapped up his second season at Navy after grabbing an interception and making 32 tackles in 2025.
S - Brandyn Hillman - 3 star from Michigan. Hillman is the second Wolverine to commit to Virginia in the portal joining Edge Devon Baxter. The Portsmouth native is entering his senior season after making an interception and forcing a fumble in 2025. He also made 49 tackles.
Check back for more updates!