Three UVA football starters enter transfer portal

By Jerry Ratcliffe

Three Virginia starters – linebacker Noah Taylor, offensive lineman Bobby Haskins and center Olu Oluwatimi – have all entered the transfer portal.

The news comes as the Cavaliers begin preparation for its trip to Boston (Dec. 29) for the inaugural Wasabi Fenway Bowl game versus Southern Methodist University. UVA is winding down its search for a successor to Coach Bronco Mendenhall, who announced last week that he was stepping down after six seasons. Mendenhall will coach the Cavaliers in the bowl game.

In a press conference with media on Sunday, Mendenhall said that he had changed his policy concerning players in the transfer portal. Previously, any player who had entered the transfer portal was not allowed to play in a bowl game, but under the unusual circumstances he will allow those players to participate in the bowl.

Any UVA players in the portal may continue to practice and play in the game. Once Virginia names a new head coach, he will have the opportunity to convince players to return to the program.

Taylor recorded 69 tackles this season, including 28 solo. He also had three sacks, four pass break ups and a fumble recovery. He is a versatile player who can be physical against the run and drop into pass coverage.

Haskins is a 6-7, 295 experienced offensive tackle, who has carved out a reputation as a physical player and solid pass blocker. He has been a staple of UVA’s offensive line for the past few seasons.

Oluatimi, who transferred to Virginia from Air Force, has been the team’s starting center for the past two seasons. He was named a Rimington Trophy finalist on Monday just before news broke that he had entered the portal.