By Jerry Ratcliffe
Virginia got some great news leading up to the New Year when several of the Cavaliers’ key offensive linemen announced they would return for another season in 2026.
Starting left guard Noah Josey, starting right guard Drake Metcalf, injured tackle Monroe Mills (who would have started had he not suffered a season-ending injury in the preseason) and backup lineman Makilan Thomas, all said they plan to return.
Virginia is awaiting a decision from starting left tackle McKale Boley.
Last week, Virginia football general manager Tyler Jones and assistant GM Justin Speros both stressed that their priority was the retention of the program’s talent, then the acquisition of additional talent from the transfer portal.
Getting a commitment from Mills to remain with the Cavaliers was definitely important. The 6-foot-7, 320-pound tackle came to UVA from Louisville out of last year’s portal, when he was ranked the No. 8 player in the 2025 portal.
Mills played 2,335 snaps and started 31 of 33 games at Louisville, Texas Tech and Oklahoma State. His 82.3 grade was the third-best of any tackle in the ACC in 2024 (Louisville) and the 16th-best of any tackle in the nation according to PFF. He allowed just one sack in 300 pass opportunities and was an honorable mention All-ACC player in ‘24.
Meanwhile, linebacker Steve Bracey said he plans to enter the transfer portal, along with wide receiver Andre Greene.
Defensive lineman Jacob Holmes, who alternated with Jason Hammond and Hunter Osborne at tackle, announced he will declare for the 2026 NFL Draft, along with seventh-year safety Antonio Clary, defensive lineman Jahmeer Carter, running back J’Mari Taylor and tight end Sage Ennis.
