Virginia Football Fall Camp Notebook: Takeaways From Week 1

With the first three practices in the books, here's the latest developments from UVA football fall camp

The Virginia football team completed its third practice of fall camp on Friday and things are starting to take shape for the Cavaliers as they prepare for year 2 under Tony Elliott. Here are the latest developments, takeaways, and notes coming out of fall camp:

UVA offensive coordinator Des Kitchings spoke with the media following Friday's practice and provided an update on Virginia's quarterback room. Kitchings said that, as expected, Tony Muskett has been getting the majority of the first team reps through the first three practices with freshman Anthony Colandrea working with the second team, but Kitchings indicated that the plan is for the two quarterbacks to switch roles next week to give Colandrea an opportunity to get reps with the first team. After Muskett and Colandrea, sophomores Grady Brosterhous and Delaney Crawford have been splitting third team reps at the quarterback position. 

Kitchings also noted that he is hopeful that a solid group of six receivers will emerge in fall camp. At this point, the likely starters appear to be JR Wilson, Malik Washington, and Malachi Fields, but Demick Starling, Ethan Davies, and true freshman Jaden Gibson could work themselves into the mix as well. 

From a special teams standpoint, sophomore Will Bettridge and senior Daniel Sparks have been getting reps kicking field goals, while Sparks and freshman Elijah Slibeck are both working at punter. Junior receiver Ethan Davies is joined by freshmen Jaden Gibson, Suderian Harrison, and TyLyric Coleman in getting reps at punt returner. 

One notable injury is that of sophomore Xavier Brown. After showing flashes of electric potential as a freshman, Brown is expected to compete for a spot at the top of the very competitive running back room, but his efforts on that front have been delayed for the time being as he deals with a left arm injury. Brown was not suited up for practice on Friday and had a sling on his left arm as he observed practice from the sideline. The coaching staff has not provided a timetable for his return. 

On a more positive injury note, Virginia is gradually getting healthier in the trenches. UVA's defensive line, widely considered to be the biggest strength of the team heading into the season, dealt with significant injuries this spring with Chico Bennett Jr., Aaron Faumui, and Olasunkonmi Agunloye missing spring football. Agunloye was a full participant in the first week of fall camp and Faumui and Agunloye were limited participants - not yet cleared for contact - but getting close. Other key defenders who missed time this spring - linebacker Josh Ahern and safety Jonas Sanker - were full participants to begin fall camp. 

On the other side of the ball, the UVA offensive line, perhaps the program's most unstable unit over the last year, is the healthiest it's been since the end of the 2021 season. Just one offensive lineman - sophomore tackle Houston Curry - was limited in practice on Friday. The Cavaliers have been able to run three full lines of offensive linemen during practice, which has resulted in much better stamina during drills. 

Houston transfer Ugonna Nnanna also noted that the offensive line is developing some serious chemistry already, a great sign for Virginia's efforts to protect Tony Muskett and establish an effective rushing attack this fall. 

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