The University of Virginia football team begins its 2025 season Saturday at 6 p.m. against Coastal Carolina University at Scott Stadium.
Here are five things to know as the Cavaliers, headlined by a new quarterback and a revamped roster, kick off their fourth year under head coach Tony Elliott.
Chandler in Charge
In 2024, only five quarterbacks at the Football Bowl Subdivision level – including No. 1 NFL Draft pick Cam Ward of the University of Miami and All-American Shedeur Sanders of the University of Colorado – threw for more touchdown passes than Chandler Morris’ 31 for the University of North Texas.
Morris speaks to the crowd at Scott Stadium during last weekend’s Hoo Crew event for new UVA students. UVA’s football venue will again be in use Saturday when the Wahoos open the season against Coastal Carolina University. (Virginia Athletics photo)
Morris, a graduate student, transferred to UVA in the offseason and won the Wahoos’ starting QB job.
The Texas native has a longstanding relationship with Elliott that dates to when Morris’ father, Chad, coached with Elliott at Clemson University from 2011 to 2014.
Being around good people was “something very important to me,” Morris said of his transfer decision. “I know coach Elliott is a great person. I knew he was going to have great people on his staff. I wasn’t too familiar with many people on his staff. I got to come up on a visit, and it was phenomenal.”
Morris previously played at the University of Oklahoma and Texas Christian University in addition to North Texas. He has more than 6,000 career passing yards.
UVA quarterback Chandler Morris: Here we go, men.
Good job, seven!
Yeah, seven! Yeah, seven!
(laughs)
Yeah, seven!
Good job, good rep.
ACC Network’s Taylor Tannebaum: Maybe we’ll be hearing “Yeah, seven” a lot this season, I don’t know.
Chandler Morris comes to Virginia by way of North Texas, he’s played at a couple of other stops along the way, too. Last year, 2024, an outstanding season for the All-AAC quarterback. He’s now looking to be an All-ACC quarterback. The numbers tell the story. Almost 4,000 yards passing, 31 passing touchdowns, and a completion percentage of 63%.
I joked when Chandler Morris walked up here. I said, "Long time no see." Because a week ago, we were just in Charlotte at ACC Kickoff. But you were in a suit and tie back then. Now you're in your jersey and your pads. What is your feeling like, first fall camp here at Virginia? And you know, this is the last ride for you.
Morris: Yep, just a ton of excitement. I mean, getting back out here with the guys, getting on the field. I mean, we had a great summer and workouts and uh just excited to put the pads on and let the ball fly.
ACC Network’s Mark Richt: Highland Park High School, same school as Matthew Stafford. You probably broke all his records, I bet.
Morris: Uh no, I've got one of his records, I guess.
Richt: You did win a state championship though, right?
Morris: I did.
Richt: Pretty awesome. Hey, real quick. Your dad's decision to pause his career. Tell us a little bit about that.
Morris: What was that? I'm sorry.
Richt: Your dad's decision to pause his career.
Morris: I mean, just he just wanted to come be a dad and watch me. He kind of had a little FOMO uh last year. Um kind of having to keep up through my mom. So, um, he's just he's just excited to uh come out and watch me play.
Richt: That's pretty awesome.
ACC Network’s Eddie Royal: Tell me uh for you, you've been in quarterback battles your entire college career. Now you come here unquestioned leader, unquestioned number one. How does that feel?
Morris: Yeah, I mean every single day, I mean, it's just the same approach. I mean, I'm trying to go out there and compete every day. Uh, prove I'm the best on the field and, uh, really, so it's just no different as a mindset.
Tannebaum: I want to talk to you before we let you go. I want a couple of nuggets on a few of your receivers because you have a really deep receiving core. So, I'm going to give you some superlatives. You have to hand them out for me. Who's the hands guy? The guy with the best hands. And I know they'd probably all argue, but from your perspective.
Morris: I'd go Jahmal Edrine.
Tannenbaum: All right. Biggest ups. Who's got the bunnies?
Morris: Trell Harris.
Tannenbaum: All right. Speediest guy. This is up for debate. I already know. Who is it?
Morris: Cam Ross.
Tannenbaum: Okay, you said that confidently. Very confidently. Best trash talker.
Morris: That might be Suderian.
Tannenbaum: Okay, he's handing him out to everybody. All right. One who begs for the ball the most in a huddle.
Morris: Trell Harris.
Tannenbaum: All right, there you go. Some superlatives that we try to get to know this wide receiving court. We're so happy to have you in the ACC, Chandler. Good luck the rest of fall camp. Survive out there and we'll see you Aug. 30.
Morris: Thank you'all.
New faces
Morris is one of 54 additions to the UVA roster, including 32 transfers. The transfer class ranked 26th nationally and fourth among Atlantic Coast Conference schools, according to 247Sports.
Touted new faces around Morris on offense include former University of Notre Dame wide receiver Jayden Thomas, former James Madison University receiver Cam Ross and former North Carolina Central University running back J’Mari Taylor.
Former Ohio State University defensive end Mitchell Melton and former University of Louisville safety Devin Neal are among the featured new faces on defense.
Louisville transfer safety Devin Neal has brought his experience and intelligence to #UVa’s defense.
“He’s playing fast, he’s confident.”https://t.co/k7V5AV0UJK pic.twitter.com/6Cl3hW0Vvp— Greg Madia (@GregMadia) August 24, 2025
General manager
In a move reflective of the changing landscape of college sports, UVA on July 23 announced Tyler Jones as its general manager for football, as well as women’s basketball.
