3 Reasons Why UVA Football Will Dominate in 2025

The 2025 UVA football season is shaping up to be one of the most exciting in recent memory. With a talented roster returning and a favorable schedule, the Cavaliers are poised to make a run at the ACC Coastal Division title. Quarterback Brennan Armstrong is back for his senior season and is looking to build on his impressive 2022 campaign. Armstrong threw for over 4,000 yards and 31 touchdowns last year and is considered one of the top quarterbacks in the country. He will have plenty of weapons to work with in the passing game, led by wide receivers Dontayvion Wicks and Lavel Davis Jr. The running game should also be strong, with the return of tailback Mike Hollins. Hollins rushed for over 1,000 yards and 11 touchdowns last season and is one of the most underrated players in the ACC.

The defense is also expected to be much improved in 2025. The Cavaliers added several key players via the transfer portal, including defensive end Kamari Lassiter from Georgia and linebacker Nick Jackson from Syracuse. Lassiter is a former five-star recruit who is expected to make an immediate impact, while Jackson is a proven playmaker who had over 100 tackles last season. The secondary is also expected to be strong, led by cornerback Fentrell Cypress and safety Antonio Johnson. Cypress is a two-time All-ACC selection and is one of the best cornerbacks in the country. Johnson is a hard-hitting safety who had five interceptions last season. With so much talent on both sides of the ball, the 2025 UVA football season is sure to be one to remember.

The Cavaliers have a favorable schedule in 2025, with seven home games and only five road games. They open the season at home against Richmond on September 6th, before traveling to Pittsburgh on September 13th. They then have a bye week before hosting Old Dominion on September 27th. October begins with a road game at Miami on October 4th, followed by a home game against Louisville on October 11th. The Cavaliers then have a bye week before hosting NC State on October 25th. November begins with a road game at Virginia Tech on November 1st, followed by a home game against Georgia Tech on November 8th. The regular season ends with a road game at Duke on November 15th. The Cavaliers are favored to win at least 10 games in 2025 and are considered a dark horse contender to win the ACC Coastal Division title.

Offensive Revolution: The Key to Success

Virginia’s offense has been stuck in a rut for the past few seasons, but in 2025, there’s reason to believe that could change. A new coaching staff has implemented a dynamic offensive scheme that has the potential to be explosive.

The New Scheme

The new scheme is built around a spread offense that features a variety of formations and motion. This will allow the Cavaliers to attack defenses from all over the field. The offense will also be heavily reliant on the passing game, with a quarterback that has a strong arm and accuracy. Running backs will also be involved in the passing game, with screens and checkdowns being a big part of the playbook.

Formation	Motion	Primary Target
Shotgun	Slot receiver in motion	Wide receiver on the outside
Pistol	Running back in motion	Tight end over the middle
Spread	Wide receivers in motion	Running back out of the backfield

The new scheme is designed to create mismatches and exploit defenses. The Cavaliers have a number of talented playmakers on offense, and the new scheme will allow them to use their skills to the fullest extent.

Skill Position Stars: The Foundation of the Offense

Wide Receivers

The wide receiver corps is led by Jaylon Jones, who is considered one of the top playmakers in the country. Jones has excellent speed, route-running ability, and hands, making him a threat to defenses at all levels of the field. He is expected to be a major contributor to the offense in 2025.

Joining Jones is a talented group of pass-catchers, including Keytaon Thompson and Ethan Davies. Thompson is a physical receiver with a large catch radius and the ability to make contested catches. Davies is known for his quickness and ability to create separation off the line of scrimmage.

Tight Ends

The tight end position is expected to be a strength for the Cavaliers in 2025. Jelani Woods is a versatile playmaker who can line up in a variety of positions and contribute in both the passing and running games. He is an excellent blocker and has the potential to be a major force in the offense.

Joining Woods is Ethan Dabney, who is a talented blocker with the ability to make plays in the passing game. Dabney is a physical player who is tough to bring down and can be a valuable asset in short-yardage situations.

Quarterbacks

The quarterback position is one of the most important in any offense, and the Cavaliers have a talented group competing for the starting job in 2025. Bryce Young is a five-star recruit who is considered to be one of the best quarterbacks in the country. He has a strong arm, excellent accuracy, and the ability to make plays with his feet.

Challenging Young for the starting role is Cade McNamara, who has experience starting for the Cavaliers in the past. McNamara is a smart, efficient quarterback who makes good decisions and has the ability to lead the offense.

Running Backs

The running back position is a key part of the Cavaliers’ offense, and they have a talented group of players who can contribute in multiple ways. Will Shipley is a versatile back who can run between the tackles, catch passes out of the backfield, and return kicks. He is a dynamic playmaker who can create big plays for the offense.

Joining Shipley in the backfield is Virginia Tech transfer Jalen Holston, who is a powerful runner with excellent vision. Holston is a tough runner who can move the pile and create holes for his teammates.

Here is a summary of the skill position players expected to make an impact for the Cavaliers in 2025:

Position	Player
WR	Jaylon Jones
WR	Keytaon Thompson
WR	Ethan Davies
TE	Jelani Woods
TE	Ethan Dabney
QB	Bryce Young
QB	Cade McNamara
RB	Will Shipley
RB	Jalen Holston

Trench Warfare: Anchoring the Cavaliers

With the departures of seasoned veterans, the 2025 UVA football team faces a crucial task in rebuilding its trench units. The offensive and defensive lines, both integral to the team’s success, will need to be bolstered with a combination of experience and fresh talent.

Offensive Line: Paving the Way for Success

The Cavaliers’ offensive line must fill the void left by All-ACC standout Olusegun Oluwatimi. However, experience is not lacking, with junior guard Liam Murphy leading the way. Murphy, a former ACC Freshman of the Year, possesses the necessary skills and leadership to anchor the line. The team also boasts promising young talent in tackles Ty Furnish and Bryce Carter.

Defensive Line: A Fierce Front

The defensive line lost several key players, including defensive end Mandy Alonso. Nonetheless, the Cavaliers return several talented players, including end Adeeb Atariwa, who recorded 5.5 sacks in 2022. Linebackers Nick Jackson and Josh Ahern provide a strong presence in the middle of the field, while end Jonte Green promises to be a force to reckon with.

Recruiting Prospects: Building for the Future

UVA has targeted several talented recruits to bolster its trench units. Offensive tackle Evan Hull, a four-star prospect from Florida, could provide an immediate boost to the line. On the defensive side, defensive end Xavier Thomas, a five-star recruit from Ohio, has the potential to make an impact from day one.

Potential Strengths and Weaknesses

Experience is the strength of the offensive line, with several returning starters. The defensive line boasts a promising mix of veterans and emerging talent. However, both units may lack depth and consistent play from the younger players.

X-Factors

The development of young players on the trench units will be crucial for the team’s success. The ability of the offensive line to protect star quarterback Brennan Armstrong and create running lanes will be vital. On defense, the line’s ability to generate pressure on opposing quarterbacks and stop the run will be decisive.

Recruiting Bonanza: Building a Dynasty

The Future of Virginia Athletics

With the arrival of head coach Tony Elliott, expectations are high for the Virginia Cavaliers football program. This new era in UVA football is being fueled by a recruiting bonanza, with a plethora of talented players eager to be part of the next generation of Cavaliers.

Impact Players

The 2025 recruiting class is brimming with potential impact players, including quarterback Jayden Gibson, wide receiver Christian Lewis, and offensive tackle Jaydn Ott. These highly-rated recruits possess exceptional athleticism and their commitment to Virginia is a testament to the program’s bright future.

Depth and Versatility

In addition to star recruits, the 2025 class also brings depth and versatility to the roster. Linebacker Derek Bain, safety Khalil Barnes, and defensive end Julius Francis all possess the versatility to play multiple positions, providing invaluable flexibility for defensive coordinator Nick Howell.

Number 9: Jayden Gibson

Quarterback Jayden Gibson is one of the most highly-touted recruits in the 2025 class. The 6’2″, 210-pound pro-style quarterback has exceptional arm strength, accuracy, and decision-making abilities. Gibson’s poise under pressure and ability to extend plays with his legs make him a perfect fit for offensive coordinator Des Kitchings’ spread offense.

Gibson, a 5-star recruit by 247Sports, is a dual-threat quarterback who can both pass and run effectively. He has a quick release and is able to deliver the ball with pinpoint accuracy. Gibson is also a dynamic runner, with a strong arm and the ability to gain yards on the ground when needed.

Gibson’s commitment to Virginia is a major coup for the program. He is considered one of the top quarterbacks in the country and his presence is expected to elevate the Cavaliers to national prominence.

Name	Position	Accolades
Jayden Gibson	Quarterback	5-star recruit by 247Sports; Elite 11 Finals participant
Christian Lewis	Wide Receiver	4-star recruit by Rivals; Under Armour All-American
Jaydn Ott	Offensive Tackle	4-star recruit by ESPN; Army All-American
Derek Bain	Linebacker	3-star recruit by Scout; First Team All-State
Khalil Barnes	Safety	3-star recruit by 247Sports; All-Conference selection
Julius Francis	Defensive End	3-star recruit by ESPN; All-Region selection

UVA Football 2025: A Bright Future Ahead

The University of Virginia football team has a bright future ahead of it. With a talented roster and a strong coaching staff, the Cavaliers are poised to make a run at the ACC Championship and beyond in the years to come.

One of the biggest reasons for optimism is the team’s young talent. The Cavaliers have a number of talented players who are just entering their sophomore seasons, and they are only going to get better with experience. Quarterback Brennan Armstrong is one of the most promising young quarterbacks in the country, and he is surrounded by a talented group of receivers and running backs.

The coaching staff is also a major reason for optimism. Head coach Bronco Mendenhall has a proven track record of success, and he has already turned the Cavaliers into a competitive team. Mendenhall has a strong defensive background, and he has implemented a system that has helped the Cavaliers become one of the top defenses in the ACC.