Where Will Virginia Football See the Most Attrition Heading into 2026 Season.

Heading into the 2026 season, the Virginia Cavaliers may experience significant roster changes, particularly within their offensive unit. The team concluded their latest season with a 13-7 victory over the Missouri Tigers in the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl, a low-scoring but closely contested game. With the offseason underway, head coach Tony Elliott is preparing to adjust his roster, though he faces potential challenges with player departures.

One area likely to experience the most attrition is the quarterback position. The future of starting quarterback Chandler Morris remains uncertain. During the 2025 season, Morris completed 282 of 436 passes for over 3,000 yards, achieving a 64.7% completion rate along with 16 touchdowns and nine interceptions. Losing a player of his caliber would present a significant setback for the Cavaliers.

Morris reflected on his experience at Virginia during a post-game media appearance following the Gator Bowl:

“Yeah, no, I guess just for me personally, I mean, it's kind of how I've been raised, anytime you go somewhere, your whole goal is to leave it better than you found it… You go in the locker room, everybody really does love each other, they're pulling for each other, and it's just great people which starts with Coach Elliott and his staff… I’m so blessed to be in this position.”

Although the quarterback position currently has the most uncertainty, the entire offensive unit may face challenges due to eligibility questions and the potential for players to enter the transfer portal. As a result, Elliott and his staff will need to navigate these changes carefully to maintain team cohesion and performance in the upcoming season.