Virginia Football in 2025: Four Reasons for Bowl Optimism—and Two Potential Pitfalls

🟢 Four Reasons UVA Should Expect a Bowl Game in 2025

Chandler Morris Brings Experience and Firepower at Quarterback

Virginia’s quarterback room has been revitalized with the addition of North Texas transfer Chandler Morris. When 2024 ended, and Anthony Colandrea decided to transfer, all felt lost around the program. It was probably as low as I can remember fan morale in some time (and that is saying something). After the transfer portal opened though, it didn’t take long for Virginia to strike at the most important position, enter Chandler Morris.

In 2024 at North Texas, Morris threw for 3,774 yards and 31 touchdowns, ranking fourth nationally in touchdown passes. While a skilled passer, Morris can also hurt opposing defenses with his legs, as he has rushed for over 240 yards each of his last two seasons. His leadership and experience are expected to provide a significant boost to the Cavaliers’ offense. Should Morris become injured, Virginia also boasts a talented backup in Nebraska transfer Daniel Kaelin. This duo should provide a significant boost in production when compared to the 2024 UVa Quarterback play.

Transfer Additions Bolster Key Positions

To say the Cavaliers have been active in the transfer portal, would be an understatement. Coach Elliott, with his staff, and the backing of key personnel at Cavs Futures like Lo Davis, has brought in a staggering 30 players through the transfer portal. While every position has been touched in the portal, the aforementioned Quarterbacks will have a ton (almost literally probably) of new guys protecting them. Fans no longer have to ask “Where’s the beef?” because it is littered along the newly constructed offensive line. Last year a constant weakness with little playable depth, this year's line will boast experience and size at each position and go at least two deep.

Not to be outdone, the defensive line added multiple pieces that can flat out get after the opposing Quarterback. As I often say on the pod, football is simple really, first find a Quarterback, then find guys to protect him and find guys that can go get theirs. Virginia added Fisher Camac (3 sacks in UNLV Bowl Game against ACC foe Cal), Mitchell Melton (played in the National Championship game for Ohio State), and Hunter Osborne (Alabama) just to name a few. The D-line was also boosted by the decision to return next season by stalwart Jahmeer Carter, who I’m pretty sure could begin his career as a Strong Man Athlete the moment his football playing days are done. If you have not seen his workout videos, go check them out, he’s got strength for days!

All that to say, we have our guys to protect the new Quarterbacks, and we have plenty of dudes to go get theirs. What was a weakness in 2024, will almost certainly be a strength in 2025.

Did Someone Say We Needed Some Defensive Backs

When the Spring Game ended a few weeks ago, UVa's weakest unit seemed to be its defensive backfield. While transfers Devin Neal and Ja’Son Prevard seemed to be great pickups, there simply wasn’t enough talent added to make anyone feel good about the roster heading into the fall. Well folks, welcome to 2025, where the Spring Transfer Portal can give you what you need. Coach Elliott has added, count em five, defensive backs since the Spring Transfer Portal opened. Each DB brings quite a bit of experience to the table, including Christian Charles, who played a lot of snaps at Tennessee.

As a pod, we spoke with Jordan Robinson (Cincinnati) and Ja’Maric Morris (Georgia State). Each of these corners are bigger guys that plan to play up on receivers, taking away those gimme ten yard completions that have become commonplace the last couple of seasons. A common thread in all these guys is that they are versatile and could see time at CB or Safety. With the injury to Jam Jackson, it was imperative to add pieces. Mission accomplished. The secondary room is now deep and talented.

Favorable Schedule Increases Bowl Eligibility Chances

Virginia’s 2025 schedule is more accommodating compared to previous years. The non-conference slate includes manageable opponents like Coastal Carolina and William & Mary. Moreover, UVA avoids ACC powerhouses such as Clemson and Miami, increasing the likelihood of securing the necessary six wins for bowl eligibility.

While the schedule may be easier, it will be important to get off to a quick start. A week two (non-conference) game at NC State could be a tell of what is to come. If the Hoos can go to Raleigh and get a win, they could very reasonably start 5-0 with a showdown at Louisville in game number six.

The back half of the schedule sees the Hoos travel to UNC and Duke, with the always tough VT game at home to close the season. Winning against the school from Blacksburg is going to be a huge deciding factor as to whether this season is looked at as successful or not.

🔴 Two Reasons UVA Might Fall Short

Red Zone Inefficiencies

Virginia’s offense has struggled to capitalize on red zone opportunities in the past, often settling for field goals instead of touchdowns, or even no points at all. Offensive Coordinator Des Kitchings unit will have to be able to convert when they get deep in opponents territory. While this is by far the most talented team in Coach Elliotts tenure at UVa, like most football games, wins and losses will be decided by a handful of plays each week.

Last year, and too often in Coach Elliott’s tenure at UVa, Coach Kitching’s led offense has come up small in big moments. Whether there is a penalty that goes uncalled (see Louisville game), or just baffling play calls (see UNC game), when the game has been on the line Virginia has failed to produce. Last year, UVa ranked 100th in Red Zone Efficiency, scoring on just 34 of 43 drives. This is the third consecutive year under Kitchings that UVa has been ranked 100th or worse. Until Hoo faithful see improvement in Red Zone production, it will be hard for some UVa fans to accept that a change was not made at the end of the 2024 season. If the 2025 season fails to meet expectations, Red Zone inefficiency will likely be a driving factor.

Meshing a Heavily Transformed Roster

While UVA added a strong group of transfers across multiple position groups, integrating so many new players into cohesive units can be a challenge. Chemistry, communication, and consistency all take time to develop. If the team doesn’t gel quickly—especially in early-season matchups—the Cavaliers could struggle to build momentum.

Additionally, with so many new faces, it is bound to happen that some of the players may not get the amount of playing time they thought they were going to get. Can Coach Elliott juggle players that may only have one year left of eligibility that aren’t getting the deal they thought when they signed up to play in Charlottesville. Look at the Wide Receiver room for example. Maybe the most talented Wide Receiver room since the days of Joe Reed, there is still as best as I can tell, only one football to go around. There are at least seven, maybe more Wide Receivers that could press for a starting position. While competition is great, a happy locker room may be hard to maintain if guys feel they aren’t being properly utilized.

If the season starts slowly, keeping the locker room engaged could be Coach Elliotts’s biggest opponent in 2025. The transfer portal is a part of college athletics now, and almost every team will have the same challenges. If the coaching staff can keep the guys playing for the front of the jersey and not the back, the season has a chance to be special.

Bottom Line:

Virginia has taken meaningful steps toward building a competitive roster in 2025, with quarterback play, depth on both lines, and a manageable schedule all pointing toward bowl eligibility as a minimum expectation. But the path forward will still come down to a handful of plays and the success could ultimately depend on how quickly the team can form an identity and execute together—especially with a roster reshaped by the transfer portal.

Coach Elliott probably needs a minimum of six wins to keep his job for 2026 and beyond, and even that may not do it with this level of talent. We at the Cavalier Connection have faith that this is the year Coach Elliott cements his position as Coach of Virginia for years and years to come. Go Hoos!