By Jerry Ratcliffe
Virginia general manager Tyler Jones said Monday that the program is “hopeful” concerning quarterback Chandler Morris’ waiver to gain another year of eligibility.
According to reports, UVA had to submit additional documentation to the NCAA in terms of the Morris request, which slowed the process, but the football program is also examining all options in case the waiver is rejected.
“You’ve got to plan for all our different scenarios,” Jones said. “Our desire and hope is that he returns and is able to play, but you’ve got to map out several different scenarios.”
Morris, who helped lead Virginia to a program record-tying 10 wins this past season and a spot in the ACC Championship game, threw for 2,802 yards and 16 touchdowns in 12 games. Morris’ numbers could have been greater, but he missed one entire game and parts of two other games due to injuries, and played sparingly in at least one other blowout win.
Still, Morris’ 2,802 yards (64.6 percent completions) is the sixth-best single-season mark in school history with one more game remaining (Gator Bowl). Another 200-yard passing performance could move him up to third place, all-time in single-season passing at UVA behind only Bryce Perkins and Brennan Armstrong.
“We haven’t heard anything back [on the waiver] yet,” Morris said Monday afternoon. “We feel pretty good about it, so we’re just leaving that in [the NCAA’s] hands and hoping for the best.”
UVA assistant GM Justin Speros confirmed that the waiver request is related to Morris’ 2022 season at TCU. That year, Morris won a three-way preseason battle for the Horned Frogs’ starting quarterback job, but was injured in the season opener against Colorado. TCU went on to play in the national championship game.
Jones, the program GM, commented when asked how Virginia’s recruiting might be impacted if the NCAA denies the Morris waiver.
“We haven’t really talked a ton about that right now because we’re hopeful that he returns, but when the time is right, we’ll sit down with the staff, Coach (Tony) Elliott and the coordinators and talk through that, but our hope and desire is that [Morris] is back and we’re able to build around him for 2026,” Jones said.
Virginia has redshirt freshman Daniel Kaelin waiting in the wings. Kaelin saw some action this past season, most notably against Coastal Carolina, William & Mary, and Wake Forest. In seven games, Kaelin, a transfer from Nebraska, was 30 for 52 (57.7 pct) for 334 yards, 1 interception, 1 touchdown.
The only other player who saw action at quarterback for the Cavaliers this season was true freshman Cole Geer, who completed 2 of 2 pass attempts.
Morris said Monday that he felt good about the season he had for Virginia in 2025, but wants more.
“I thought I did my job,” Morris said. “There’s some things I wish I had back, but that’s football. I thought I had a lot of help around me and guys were making plays for me and everything like that.”
He believes that his return to a Power 4 conference program helped him grow as a quarterback after having spent the 2024 season at Group of 5 North Texas.
“I think I have taken a big step in the leadership role this year and I think that’s something I’ve grown at, which was awesome,” Morris said. “And it’s because my teammates let me lead and I’m thankful for that and their belief in me.”
