Continue to check WAVY.com for updates.
Virginia
Three Key Takeaways from the Virginia Cavaliers’ Early Signing Period
College football programs across the country were hustling today as they navigated the early signing period. Among the programs was, of course, UVA. Head coach Tony Elliott sat down with the media today to discuss the incoming players and where his program is heading. With the day quickly coming to an end, here are three takeaways from the early signing period.
Elliott Strives to Mix the Offensive Line
During his press conference this afternoon, Elliott explained the difficulty that comes with trying to develop the offensive line. As a result, he is aiming to mix the high school players while also utilizing the portal; this will likely put UVA in the best possible position ahead of their 2026 campaign.
“… I would love to have a bunch of high school guys that you’re developing. But you’re seeing it all across college football. What’s happening is, man, your depth really gets challenged, especially late in the season,” said Elliott. “And we all know that offensive line is the group that takes probably the longest to develop, just because it’s such a big transition going from the high school game to the college game, from a size standpoint, speed of game, strength, knowledge, execution, all of that. So we want to continue to identify high school guys and have them developing, but also we’re going to have to supplement with the portal.”
Quarterback Position Is in Question
As announced on Wednesday, Virginia’s star quarterback Chandler Morris is looking to gain an additional year of eligibility. While this is still in the works and remains unofficial, this could potentially result in excellent news for the Cavaliers. Morris has consistently served as one of UVA’s leaders — retaining him would be ideal, but the chances appear to be rather slim. However, Elliott feels confident that Ely Hamrick will be able to carry the weight in the case that Morris is out. As he stated:
“Yeah, there’s been some talks with Chandler of possibly, still that’s to be determined. So not going to say if that’s going to happen or not. So we’re planning as if it’s not. So we want to continue to bring in guys. I think the quarterback position, you’re going to have to recruit that position every single year…”
A Successful Football Season Brings a Successful Recruiting Season
Unsurprisingly, college football programs with a record as impressive as Virginia’s end up capturing quite a bit of attention. It’s no secret that UVA has had a spectacular 2025 campaign, and now Elliott is starting to see it translate into his recruitment. The Cavaliers have carved out a new name for themselves this year, and they’ve become an imposing team to face. UVA has been using this new footing to its advantage.
“… I’m very hopeful and optimistic that we’ll be able to get in a conversation with some guys that maybe in the past when you said Virginia, it’s like, okay, good academic school, but I’m focusing on bigger football,” Elliott stated. “I think now with what we’ve experienced this season, in Scott Stadium with with the fans filling up the seats and creating an unbelievable environment to play in the success on the field man. You’re in conversation for the postseason. So I think it’s going to get us to the table and we started to see that before like you look at some of the top players in the state, that are leaving the state.”
Although much of the college football world has been focused on the early signing period, it shouldn’t be forgotten that UVA’s ACC Championship Game is right around the corner. Kickoff is scheduled for 8 p.m. EST against the Duke Blue Devils in Charlotte.
More Virginia Football News:
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — In this world of college football, with the transfer portal and recruiting battles, bad blood is present more than ever before between head coaches.
That’s not the case between the Virginia Tech head coach and Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney, however. In fact, Franklin revealed at ACC Kickoff on Thursday that the two are actually close friends, dating back to their time at the Nike trip that various coaches take over the summer.
“Dabo’s my guy,” Franklin said on Thursday. “We go way back. We’ve been on the Nike trip for a long time. His wife and my wife are friends.”
The long-time Penn State head coach is making the move to the ACC after being fired from the Nittany Lions in October. 12 seasons of being with the program had Franklin hold a 44-21 record against top 10 opponents, an impressive record for a new conference foe of Swinney’s.
But when that trip comes around, there’s a camaraderie between Swinney and Franklin and both of their wives. In fact, the two hang out with each other instead of the other coaches at times. It simply comes to an “edgy” time in college athletics that raises tempers.
“I’m going to be honest, I wouldn’t say we’re necessarily like the type of people that love a lot of other coaches and a lot of other programs,” Franklin said. “It’s hard when you just compete year-round.”
On Swinney’s end, there are a few who could immediately come to mind among Clemson fans. Perhaps the most recent would be Ole Miss coach Pete Golding, who played the most significant role in the tampering of former linebacker Luke Ferrelli.
It’s a select list of coaches who make the good side of the Tigers’ head coach, and Franklin is certainly on that list. On the other hand, Hokies’ head coach has Swinney on his own shortlist.
“Obviously, tremendous respect for what he has built at Clemson and what he’s done at Clemson, and what he’s done for the ACC,” he said.
The two will see that close relationship face off at Memorial Stadium this upcoming season. Clemson will host the Hokies on Oct. 24 in what could be a potential title-eliminator for the ACC Championship.
Of course, the last game that we’ve seen the Tigers play in was against Franklin’s former team in Penn State at the Bad Boy Mowers Pinstripe Bowl. That game ended in a 22-10 contest that saw a foundation of Franklin players end Clemson’s season in disappointment.
Swinney will see many of those players once again in October, including starting quarterback Ethan Grunkemeyer, in that contest. The anticipated Hokie starter recorded 260 yards and two passing touchdowns on the Tigers in the Bronx that day.
Although friends become foes, another ACC coach has given Swinney his flowers for what he’s been able to do for the conference. In the upcoming moments, Franklin will look to prepare his team to prove itself on one of the biggest stages in the ACC, while Swinney looks to put his team back at the top of a conference he’s dominated for over 15 years.
Add us as a preferred source on Google
Follow
MARTINSVILLE, Va. (WSET) — Extreme drought conditions in parts of Virginia have prompted an emergency drought warning for a wide swath of the region, including Bedford, Campbell, Charlotte, Franklin, Halifax, Henry, Mecklenburg, Patrick, Pittsylvania and Roanoke counties, along with the cities of Danville, Roanoke, Salem and Martinsville.
The governor has warned that if conditions worsen, she will activate mandatory nonessential water-use restrictions.
In Martinsville, city leaders have issued a voluntary water conservation notice and are urging residents and businesses to cut back where they can. The request comes as local businesses that rely heavily on water say the drought is already affecting day-to-day operations.
SEE ALSO: Botetourt County residents adjust daily routines as voluntary water restriction continues
John Hughes, owner of John’s Car Wash, said the dry conditions have hit his business hard in recent weeks. “For the last 3 weeks, it’s been hitting pretty hard. We done three yesterday and haven’t done anything today with the drought and hot weather. Yeah, I’m really concerned about it,” Hughes said.
Restaurants are also feeling the strain. David Kitzmiller, an owner of Be Wiched, said water is essential for routine tasks such as washing dishes and preparing some menu items.
“We use a lot of water for washing dishes and some of our recipes if they limit us in anyway defiently can’t produce and its a scary aspect,” Kitzmiller said.
Kitzmiller added that cutting back is not always realistic for businesses that must meet sanitation needs. “Not really feasible for a business that depends solely relies on water to wash their dishes, so that can’t definitely be an impact there,” he said.
City leaders emphasized that the conservation request is voluntary for now, but they are encouraging everyone to do their part by taking shorter showers, turning off the faucet when it is not in use, washing only full loads of laundry, and limiting outdoor watering whenever possible.
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) — Five people were charged after Virginia Beach Police conducted a two-day human trafficking and vice operation on July 3, according to the Virginia Beach Police Department.
The department’s Special Investigations Bureau conducted the operation, which was aimed at identifiying human trafficking victims, reducing the demand for commercial sex and targeting individuals seeking to exploit or recruit children for prostitution.
Detectives used many investigative techniques to proactively identify individuals involved in criminal activity related to prostitution, human trafficking and offenses against children. The operation was conducted in Virginia Beach, involving personnel from all of the bureau’s squads.
As a result of the operation, five people were identified and charged with offenses ranging from solicitation of prostitution to sex trafficking and crimes involving minors. Two vehicles and U.S. currency were seized during the operation. Other people were connected to victim services through Samaritan House.
The operation led to the following people being charged:
- Shane Carter, 28, of Norfolk, was charged with solicitation of prostitution.
- Robert Harris, 64, of Virginia Beach, was charged with solicitation of prostitution and assault and battery.
- Larry Pittman, 53, of Portsmouth, was charged with sex trafficking and use of electronic devices to facilitaate certain offenses involving minors.
- Kenric Frazier, 46, of Portsmouth, was charged with sex trafficking, use of electronic devices to facilitate certain offenses involving minors and solicitation of child pornography.
- Cameron Lewis, 24, of Norfolk, was charged with solicitation of prostitution.
Investigators also developed leads about people who are suspected of trafficking and exploiting others for commercial sex. Those are now active and ongoing investigations. There may be more charges and arrests pending further investigation and consultation with the Virginia Beach Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office.
If you’re a human trafficking victim or know someone who is, you can report it to the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888.
-
North Dakota4 minutes agoVernon Krause
-
Ohio10 minutes agoMan pleads guilty to inappropriate conduct with minor in Howland
-
Oklahoma16 minutes agoLocal Star Goose Hutchens Reclassifies, Will Join Oklahoma for 2027 Season
-
Oregon22 minutes agoMeet Miss Oregon at the Ross Ragland Theater Next Month – KOBI-TV NBC5 / KOTI-TV NBC2
-
Pennsylvania28 minutes agoWildfire smoke puts Pittsburgh under Code Red air quality alert
-
Rhode Island34 minutes agoThese 8 Towns In Rhode Island Were Ranked Among US Favorites In 2026
-
South Dakota46 minutes agoSouth Dakota confirms three cyclosporiasis cases as CDC investigates growing outbreak
-
Tennessee52 minutes agoHow did your school district do? New TCAP scores released across Southeast Tennessee
