Training camp notebook: QBs, defense, receivers, punt game & injury report

By Jerry Ratcliffe

Tony Elliott was encouraged with what he saw in Virginia’s first scrimmage last Saturday at Scott Stadium, as the Cavaliers have transitioned to full pads for the remainder of training camp.

What were Elliott’s impressions of the scrimmage?

“In totality, the defense probably came up with a little bit of an upper hand,” Elliott said after Monday’s practice. “I thought they had good energy and I saw what I needed to see. We really challenged our pass-rushers to get back to the quarterback and I thought they did a better job.”

Certainly, the battle for the starting quarterback job between fifth-year Tony Muskett, the incumbent starter, and sophomore challenger Anthony Colandrea was a topic of interest. Elliott is allowing the two to compete before he will decide on a starter.

“I thought both quarterbacks made a couple of big plays,” the coach said. “They still have to continue to push through the competition and just make the routine play.

“Obviously, some of the guys around them have to do a better job of helping overall. We’re a little bit thin on the offensive line right now with [McKale] Boley being down and [Brian] Stevens, so we didn’t have some of our top guys, but it was good for the young [backups] to get in there, because we learned last year about [lack of] depth.”

Jimmy Christ and Houston Curry have been working at the left tackle spot in Boley’s absence.

Virginia spent the last week working on its place-kicking and punting, saving kickoff/punt and kickoff and punt returns for this coming week.

Elliott was impressed and noted that the staff is still trying to solidify the snapper situation, that fifth-year Payton Bunch has been a good addition who appears to have the job locked up. Hayden Rollison and fourth-year Luke Byrne are battling for backup.

Fifth-year and returning starting punter Daniel Sparks has enjoyed a strong camp thus far as well.

“We’ve worked hard on the punting game because that’s what we have to improve,” Elliott said. “We had two blocked last year in one-score games, that gave up touchdowns, so that’s been a point of emphasis.

“Coach (Keith) Gaither (special teams coordinator) has been working extremely hard and has all the coaches involved, and we’re going to get better at the punt game if we don’t do anything else.”

Transfer wide receiver Trell Harris, a 6-foot-1, 187-pound junior that came to UVA from Kent State (26 receptions, 400 yards and a touchdown last season) had a good scrimmage and hauled in at least one long pass from Muskett.

Elliott was asked how Virginia managed to lure Harris away from Big Ten schools that were in pursuit.

“I guess we were just ourselves and made it about relationships and we were persistent and consistent with the messaging,” Elliott said. “When he came down here [for a visit], he got a really good feel.

“I think it didn’t hurt that the success Malik [Washington] had last year, knowing that we do have a way to make sure that he can get the ball. I think that he also saw that he could play complimentary football with Malachi (Fields) on the other side, so you can balance up the coverage. I think the production at the receiver position over the last couple of years kind of speaks for itself.”

Washington had a fantastic season in ‘23, smashing Virginia receiving records and enjoying one of the top receiving years in the nation. Washington is now on the Miami Dolphins’ roster. The season before, Dontayvion Wicks had similar success, and is now starring for the Green Bay Packers.

Harris is one of several players fighting to break into the lineup at wide receiver, which features Fields and Notre Dame transfer Chris Tyree. Also contending are Andre Greene Jr. (transfer from North Carolina), JR Wilson, Suderian Harrison, Ethan Davies, freshman Kam Courtney and several others.

Training Camp notes

INJURY UPDATE: Elliott reported that offensive left tackle McKale Boley will likely be sidelined in camp for a couple more weeks with a lower-extremity injury. However, Boley should be back before UVA’s opener against Richmond (Aug. 31).

Center Brian Stevens is day-to-day.

Wide receiver JR Wilson will miss a couple of more weeks. Elliott said he received good news about Wilson, that his knee injury wasn’t as serious as it could have been and that a quick arthroscopic procedure is all that should be required, according to the medical staff.

Junior running back Xavier Brown will miss the next couple of weeks with a shoulder injury, but Jack Griese has been working hard at that position.

The only long-term injury, Elliott said, is defensive tackle Bryce Carter with a knee injury. Defensive end Mekhi Buchanan is also out, along with linebacker Stevie Bracey.

Elliott said he got some players back for the scrimmage and is anticipating getting even more back this week.