Becker returning to UVA? Henry Ford to Tennessee

By Jerry Ratcliffe

Virginia got a major boost for 2026 on Sunday if a posted report by Texas Longhorns Baseball News is accurate. The Texas report said that sources close to the program told the publication that UVA shortstop Eric Becker has decided to return to Charlottesville and play for new Cavaliers coach Chris Pollard.

Meanwhile, former Virginia star and Charlottesville native Henry Ford has committed to Tennessee. Ford, who is considered a potential first-round pick in the upcoming Major League Baseball Draft, is also considered one of the top players in the transfer portal.

Ford hit .348 with 28 home runs and 115 RBI over two seasons at UVA, and was second-team All-ACC this past season, hitting .362 with 11 homers and 46 RBI. He plays outfield and first base.

Becker entered the transfer portal when former UVA coach Brian O’Connor took over the program at Mississippi State. Reportedly, several ACC and SEC schools were battling to sign the Virginia star, who was on the Brooks Wallace Award watch list in 2025, an award that honors the nation’s top shortstop.

A third-team All-ACC selection this past season, Becker was one of four Cavaliers to start all 50 games (all at shortstop).

The rising junior led Virginia in a plethora of offensive categories this past season:

• Batting average: .368
• Slugging percentage: .617
• Runs scored: 54
• RBI: 52
• Doubles: 21
• Total bases: 24
• Multiple-RBI games: 13

In other UVA baseball news, the Cavaliers have added yet another Duke player from the transfer portal.

According to his Instagram account, rising sophomore Blue Devils outfielder Zach Jackson of Smyrna, Ga., has committed to Pollard’s program at UVA. Jackson appeared in 16 games this past season and scored 5 runs, while adding 2 RBI in only 4 at-bats.

This summer, Jackson is playing in the Appalachian League, where he already has two home runs.