When Virginia hosted Washington State in October of last season, RB Xavier Brown went down on a punt, and it looked ugly. It was concluded that Brown tore his ACL and would miss the remainder of the season, a blow to Brown after already suffering a Collarbone injury a year prior.
About 10 months and some change later, Virginia opened the season at Scott Stadium against NC State in a big game. Xavier Brown was on track to be healthy and play, however, UVA fans and media were unsure if Brown’s role would really be needed due to what Virginia accomplished in the offseason. The Cavaliers brought in three new running backs through the portal, to pair already with returners Xay Davis, Noah Vaughn, and Xavier Brown.
Offensive Coordinator Des Kitchings was asked about the team’s running back depth and who would take precedence after the spring game in April. When asked Coach Kitchings knocked on wood and said, “Unfortunately, most of these kinds of situations usually sort out themselves.” Well, he was correct to an extent, just not quite what he had in mind I don’t think. Solomon Beebee just a week before the season opener was arrested on charges of animal cruelty, Coach Tony Elliott said that he was still a part of the team but suspended indefinitely. So, that left on the depth chart Jekail Middlebrook (Starter) and the rest of the running backs were interchangeable, Xay Davis, Xavier Brown, Noah Vaughn, and Peyton Lewis. However, Xavier Brown mentioned after the game Saturday that there is a great brotherhood in that position group in the locker room. “I think that’s just kind of a testament just to the brotherhood that we’ve built as a group and confidence in one another. Going in there each and every week, each of us have confidence in each other and are encouraging each other each and every week all the way through camp, even in spring ball all the way up to now. Showing how deep that room is and just really unimaginable the possibilities that can happen with it.”
When the ball kicked off Saturday against NC State, Xavier Brown was involved in the game. “It felt amazing, honestly, it’s just a blessing.” Brown responded postgame talking about how he felt returning to the field, “Talking to a few guys before the game, (I) just shed a few tears before the game.” Not only was Brown involved, but he was also an X-Factor against the Wolfpack. Late in the first quarter, Brown got on the field and got two carries with the second one getting into the endzone for the first touchdown of the game for the ‘Hoos. Then, during the first series of the second quarter, Xavier Brown looked as explosive and quick as ever before receiving a 45-yard pass from Beau Pribula for 6. According to Reel Analytics on X (@RAanalytics), Brown was clocked as the 6th fastest player in the country during week zero on that play at 19.3 MPH. When asked about the touchdown reception, Brown said, “Once I got around that defender and turned my eyes, I knew it was nothing but green grass in front of me.” The touchdown pushed the Cavaliers at the time to a 17-0 lead. Later in the game, Virginia scored a touchdown off of a 23 play 12:15 long drive, in which Brown accounted for 30 of the yards on the ground. Brown finished the game rushing 8 times for 40 yards and a touchdown and caught 2 passes for 58 yards and a touchdown.
Only one game is down with 11 to go, but this was an explosive performance for Xavier Brown. It is really encouraging how explosive he has looked despite coming off of an ACL tear. “It took a while to build back honestly.” Brown explained postgame, “Just from the start, building strength back in the leg. I just appreciate the coaches for just even putting me in a position to get back out there and really feel myself out and get the confidence back.”
I asked Xavier Brown postgame, “X, being through multiple injuries, what has kept you going, kept waking you up every morning wanting to be great again?” Brown had a very grounded and humble response, “God, I would say this was one of the injury-wise the toughest things I went through. You know, just going back to the beginning of it, not thinking I’d really even be able to get back onto the field. And honestly, just leaning on the guys around me. There were a couple other guys going through the same injury at the same time. Just leaning on my teammates, and the coaches, they all believed in me the whole time.”
For a breakdown of Xavier Brown’s 45-yard touchdown reception and how it happened, check out my video breaking it down here: