Noah Josey: Veteran Leader Embraces Mentorship and Mission for UVA’s Revamped O-Line

Noah Josey has seen it all in his time at Virginia—bowl games, tragedy, roster overhauls, and the steady rise of a program trying to find its footing under Tony Elliott. Now, entering his fifth season in the program, Josey is more than a starter on the offensive line. He’s the heart of it.

For the first time in his UVA career, Josey sees a group that isn’t scrambling to stay healthy or plug gaps. Instead, he sees depth, competition, and cohesion. “There’s going to be a lot of competition at all five spots during fall camp, which is huge,” he said. “We’ve finally got a group that can play 12, 15, 17 games—whatever we need.”

That depth didn’t appear by accident. Josey credits the staff for targeting the right kind of transfers. “It was clear from our meetings in December—Coach Elliott wanted guys with high character, guys who want to win. And that’s exactly who we brought in.”

While fans tend to focus on skill positions, Josey says they’d be surprised by just how hungry this offensive line room is. “These guys are here because UVA is an opportunity—and they’re ready to put their best product on the field.”

But Josey’s role isn’t just about executing blocks or learning schemes. He knows that he and Jahmeer Carter are two of the few remaining players who endured both the 2022 tragedy and the coaching transition—and he carries that weight with pride.

“I think we have a responsibility to be storytellers,” Josey said. “To make sure those guys are remembered. To make sure the new players understand why UVA Strong Day matters, and what those three men meant to us.”

Whether he’s guiding teammates through film sessions or helping them understand the Virginia Tech rivalry, Josey leads with experience and empathy. “The new guys know the importance of that game. They know the performance hasn’t been where it needs to be. But we’re building toward fixing that.”

He’s also a relentless mentor in the locker room and weight room, setting the standard for younger linemen. “It’s important to me to teach these guys how to approach rehab, workouts, everything. I love this program. I love the culture we’ve built. And I want to keep it going.”

As for Josey’s relationship with Coach Elliott, it’s one of mutual respect—and gratitude. “Coach Elliott is a player-first coach. He cares about you as a man more than just as a football player. A lot of places are just meat factories. This isn’t one of them. He wants you prepared for football—but also for life.”

And yes—Josey’s the rare college football player who doesn’t play video games. “I don’t really have time for it,” he admitted with a grin. “Usually I’m doing something else.”

But one thing’s for sure—he’s got a No. 1 fan in his mother, who has practically become a social media sensation supporting both him and the team. “She treats her Twitter like it’s a burner,” Josey laughed. “But she cares so much about me and this team. I really appreciate that.”

With Josey helping to lead the way, Virginia’s offensive line finally has the stability and firepower to be a strength—not a question mark—in 2025. And in a year where expectations are quietly rising, his leadership could be one of the most important ingredients to UVA’s success.