Midseason Superlatives: The Hoos’ First-Half MVPs and More

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Coach of the Year: Tony Elliott

Let’s start at the top — because this one matters most. Sure, it’s hard to lose the award when you’re the only option, but this one’s more than a formality. Spoiler alert: Tony Elliott is your Jay Ballard–Guaranteed ACC Coach of the Year in 2025.

If you’d told UVA fans a year ago that Elliott would have this team sitting at 5–1 with a legitimate ACC title conversation bubbling, they’d have offered you a polite “God bless” and backed away slowly. But here we are. Elliott’s calm, detail-oriented leadership has been exactly what the program needed. The culture feels rebuilt. The locker room is connected. And the team plays like they expect to win — not hope to. He’s not just coaching for his job anymore; he’s coaching for a legacy. The “long haul” suddenly doesn’t sound like wishful thinking — it sounds like the plan.

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Offensive MVP: Chandler Morris

The transfer quarterback has brought juice, guts, and a whole lot of composure to the Cavalier offense. Morris has been electric — making plays with his arm, his legs, and occasionally his sheer willpower. His command of the offense has taken a major step each week, and the chemistry he’s built with his receivers (and the offensive line) is a big reason the Hoos are finding ways to win close ones.

Nothing summed that up better than the play before the game-winning touchdown — when Morris lowered his shoulder and laid his body on the line to try to move the chains. It was a moment that perfectly embodied what Coach Elliott calls being a “warrior.” That kind of grit has become the personality of this offense. He’s got the swagger of a guy who believes he can make any throw — and the stat sheet mostly agrees. Simply put, Chandler Morris is him in orange and blue.

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Defensive MVP: Kam Robinson

No. 5 has been a one-man wrecking crew and the heartbeat of the UVA defense. His impact is impossible to miss — or overstate. His pick-six against Louisville completely flipped that game, and without it, the Hoos probably don’t win. While he’s missed a few games along the way, he was clearly missed the most in that tough loss to NC State. The defense just doesn’t fly around with the same edge when he’s not out there. When healthy, Robinson is a difference-maker — fast, fearless, and disruptive from sideline to sideline. He’s the guy opposing coordinators have to account for on every snap, and the emotional tone-setter for this entire defense.

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Most Impactful Offensive Transfer: J’Mari Taylor

J’Mari Taylor runs like he’s mad the end zone is still that far away — which might explain why he’s already found it eight times this season. Taylor’s knack for scoring has made him one of the most productive backs in the ACC. He’s constantly keeping his legs churning, breaking through piles that should’ve been blown dead two yards earlier, and turning routine plays into highlights. He’s given Virginia’s offense a clear identity — physical, efficient, and relentless. Every carry looks like a statement, and every touchdown feels like validation for a player who’s become the spark plug of the ground game.

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Most Impactful Defensive Transfer: Mitchell Melton

The former Buckeye has brought power, speed, and chaos to the edge. Melton’s presence has transformed UVA’s defensive front. Melton’s performances have earned him back-to-back ACC Defensive Lineman of The Week awards. With two sacks Saturday, his pressure in the second half was a big reason the Hoos left Louisville winners of four straight.

Proving he is more than a rotational player than can occasionally get a sack or pressure, his addition to the program has brought not only production but National Championship pedigree.

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Offensive Team-First Award: Jahmal Edrine

Every offense needs a glue guy — the player who does the dirty work that doesn’t show up in the box score. For Virginia, that’s Jahmal Edrine. His run blocking has been even more impressive than expected, consistently springing big plays for Taylor and the backs. When a wide receiver is willing to be that physical in run blocking duties and still make tough, contested catches over the middle, it tells you everything about his mindset. He may not fill up the stat sheet, but Edrine’s unselfish, physical play has been crucial to the Cavaliers’ success. He’s the kind of receiver every quarterback — and every running back — loves to have.

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Defensive Team-First Award: Jahmeer Carter

Every great defense has its anchor, and for UVA, that’s Jahmeer Carter. He’s not flashy, but he’s absolutely essential — clogging lanes, eating double teams, and freeing up linebackers to fly around. Carter’s leadership and consistency have been a steadying force in a season full of big moments. He’s the ultimate teammate — the kind who doesn’t need headlines, just wins.

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Final Thoughts

Through six games, the Cavaliers have done more than surprise people — they’ve reignited belief. The bye week gives the team a chance to heal, refocus, and reload for the back half of the season. But make no mistake: this first half wasn’t a fluke. It was a statement.

Elliott’s steady hand, Morris’s warrior spirit, Robinson’s fire, Taylor’s eight touchdowns, and Edrine’s selfless blocking — they’ve all played a part in something that feels a lot like 2019 energy with 2025 swagger. This team is no longer just a feel-good story — they’re real players in the race to Charlotte for the ACC Championship Game. And if they keep trending upward, don’t be shocked when the Hoos start popping up in the College Football Playoff conversation.

So rest up, Hoos fans — because this train isn’t slowing down anytime soon.