Pressing Forward: Virginia’s Culture Shift Is Taking Hold

With just a few practices left in fall camp, Virginia football is showing signs of something deeper than just preseason prep — a shift in culture. You can hear it in the way players talk. You can see it in how they compete. And you can feel it in the message Tony Elliott keeps repeating: Press.

This isn’t about panic. It’s not about pushing harder just for the sake of grinding. “Press” is about intentional urgency — sprinting through the finish line of camp, not coasting toward kickoff. The Cavaliers are treating every rep like it counts, and that mindset is beginning to separate players, define roles, and shape the identity of this team.

Elliott pointed to one clear sign of progress: competition. Real competition. For the first time since his arrival in Charlottesville, position battles aren’t about guessing who might be able to hold up — they’re about earning the right to play. Take the offensive line. McKale Boley may have been the presumed anchor at left tackle, but there’s pressure across the board. Veterans like Noah Josey and Brady Wilson are grinding for their spots. Even younger players and transfers like Drake Metcalf are making their presence felt, challenging the idea of a set rotation. That kind of push is happening on both sides of the ball — and it’s by design.

On defense, there’s more depth up front than in years past, and it’s showing in the rotation. Elliott believes the staff can play five interior linemen and five edge defenders without a drop-off, which gives them flexibility to stay aggressive and fresh late in games. That fourth-quarter stamina has been a point of emphasis all offseason, especially after missed opportunities last year. Now, the defensive line isn't just holding up — they’re setting a tone.

Injuries are a part of camp, but the team’s response has been telling. Kam Robinson’s absence with a collarbone injury is significant, yet younger players like James Jackson and Trey McDonald are stepping in, not just to survive, but to compete. Meanwhile, guys like Antonio Clary, Trell Harris, and Hunter Osborne are progressing toward full health and should be ready by the season opener. The “next man up” mentality is becoming more than just a cliché — it’s starting to look like reality.

The quarterback room is another sign of quiet confidence. Chandler Morris is settling in as the starter, not just because of his talent, but because of how quickly he’s picked up the offense and established trust. Freshman Danny Kaelin has taken noticeable steps forward too — the staff challenged him early in camp, and he’s responded with cleaner mechanics and a better command of the system. The dynamic between the two quarterbacks reflects the larger trend across the team: growth built on clarity and accountability.

There’s also a different kind of ownership happening inside Scott Stadium. With four of the first five games at home, Elliott is stressing that this team must defend its turf — not just physically, but emotionally. “The grass is sacred,” he told them. That phrase isn’t about nostalgia. It’s about honoring the work, the legacy, and the opportunity to build something lasting. The coaching staff is emphasizing urgency in every fourth quarter drill, every scrimmage, every situation. This group isn’t just going through motions anymore — they’re learning to finish.

The buy-in isn’t just coming from veterans. Transfers like Mitchell Melton and Jayden Thomas aren’t loud presences, but they’re setting examples. Elliott says they’ve embraced leadership roles through action — showing up, staying locked in, and finishing reps. That consistency, especially from newer faces, is helping reinforce what the program is trying to become.

With camp nearly complete, the Cavaliers aren’t looking for perfect — they’re looking for proof. Proof that the offseason work is paying off. Proof that competition leads to confidence. Proof that the culture they’re building is finally strong enough to carry them through the grind of a season.

And if these final days of camp are any indication, Virginia is pressing forward — and pressing with purpose.