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Virginia Football: Five Reasons for Optimism Going into This Season

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Virginia Football: Five Reasons for Optimism Going into This Season


It has not been easy to be positive on Virginia football the last couple of years. Since UVA head coach Tony Elliott’s arrival, the Cavaliers have gone just 6-16 overall and 3-12 in the ACC over the last two seasons. Virginia fans have not had a lot of wins to celebrate so far in the Elliott era, but there is plenty of belief in the program that this is the year where things finally take an upward turn. Not every fan might have the same level of hope, but let’s take a look at five areas of optimism for this year’s Virginia football team.  

More Playable Depth on the Roster 

Last year, Virginia did not have the depth to overcome the bad injury luck that plagued the team. Several key starters went down early in the year with season-ending injuries, forcing lesser experienced players into the fire. As a result, this year, the Cavaliers have much more playable depth throughout the roster and are much better equipped to overcome injuries. Talking about the depth of this year’s team, wide receiver Suderian Harrison said, “Last year, I felt like we were two-deep at every position. This year, I feel like we’re four-deep.” Even when UVA inevitably suffers injuries during the season, the Cavaliers are much better suited to play at a high level, especially with the experience of this year’s team and the additions made through the transfer portal on both sides of the ball.

An area where that depth will be most significant is the offensive line, where the Cavaliers return three players who started every game last season (Brian Stevens, McKale Boley, Noah Josey), one who started 11 games (Ty Furnish), and two more who started at least five games (Blake Steen and Ugonna Nnanna) as well a few other potential solid contributors who combine to give Virginia more depth up front than the team has had in years.

Promising QB Options 

Last year, Virginia’s top two quarterbacks had never played a snap of football at the FBS level going into the season. Both Tony Muskett and Anthony Colandrea started six games and ended up playing meaningful snaps throughout the year, but only combined to throw 19 touchdowns to go along with 14 interceptions. While the play from both guys was up-and-down, the Cavaliers are in a much better spot at the QB position this season. Currently, both Muskett and Colandrea are competing for the starting job in fall camp and are splitting first team reps in practice. Whether it’s Muskett or Colandrea, the good news is that they both come into this season with meaningful starting experience and good health. Muskett comes into this season as healthy as he’s ever been. On Muskett, Elliott said before fall camp, “You’ll be able to see more of the athleticism out of Tony because he just feels good about his body, feels that he can run and take a shot and be able to get up.” Even when Muskett returned from injury last year, he was still battling injuries and ended up getting offseason surgery on his shoulder. 

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On the other hand, Colandrea comes into the season after having an inconsistent 2023. Despite making plenty of mistakes, Colandrea had a lot of positive moments on the field, showing his potential to be a quality starting quarterback for the Hoos. With a year now under his belt, Colandrea should be much more comfortable in the offense and ready to take a leap forward. Regardless of who wins the job, UVA has the best insurance against injury at the most important position on the field and should feel good about both guys going into the season.

Return of Key Defensive Players

Virginia’s defense took a big step back last year after a solid first season under defensive coordinator John Rudzinski in 2022. Losing several key players from that team, the Cavaliers defense struggled last year, giving up 33.8 points per game. UVA had the worst scoring defense in the ACC and gave up over 400 yards of offense per game. Fortunately, Virginia will have much more continuity on the defensive side of the ball this year with several key starters returning. On the defensive line, Kam Butler, Chico Bennett Jr., and Jahmeer Carter are all back. At linebacker, James Jackson and Kam Robinson both return. Finally, the Hoos also return Jonas Sanker and Antonio Clary in the secondary. Sanker was named to the 2024 Preseason All-ACC Team and to the Chuck Bednarik Watch List. 

Last year, freshmen accounted for over 1,400 snaps on the Virginia defense. With several key starters back, Virginia’s defense will be much more experienced and should be able to take a big step forward this season.

Talented WR Room 

This season, Virginia arguably has one of the deepest and strongest wide receivers rooms in all of the ACC. Led by Malachi Fields, UVA’s wide receiver room might be the strongest position group on the team.  The Cavaliers lost Biletnikoff Award finalist Malik Washington to the NFL but have reloaded in the offseason in a major way. 

Malachi Fields was named to the preseason Biletnikoff Award Watch List after a season that saw him finish second on the team in receiving yards and he is poised to have an even bigger year in 2024. On Fields, Elliott said before fall camp, “He’s been productive. He’s made a lot of plays, but he’s a mild-mannered guy. What I have seen is he’s taken ahold of that receiver room, inserted more leadership from a vocal standpoint. So, I’m excited to see him take that next step and really just have the mindset of being a dominant player.”

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UVA also brought in three transfer receivers in the offseason that will all play pivotal roles in Virginia’s passing attack. Notre Dame graduate transfer Chris Tyree should bolster UVA’s passing attack from the slot immediately with his playmaking and speed. In the offseason, Virginia also brought in Andre Greene Jr. from the portal. Another Virginia native and former four-star recruit, Greene played sparingly for North Carolina in two years but should make an instant impact in Virginia’s offense. Finally, the Cavaliers brought in Trell Harris, a transfer from Kent State. Harris is another productive transfer that should come into Charlottesville and improve the passing game. With the return of Suderian Harrison and the addition of freshman Kameron Courtney as well, this UVA receiving group should be well-balanced with several players ready to make meaningful contributions.

Avoid Three of Top Four in Preseason ACC

It will not be easy for Virginia to make a bowl game this season, but there are some advantages with UVA’s schedule. Elliott will certainly want to start out strong in non-conference play, as many of Virginia’s more winnable games are in the first half of the season. Nonetheless, the Cavaliers will have their fair share of opportunities for wins throughout ACC play. 

Despite road trips to Clemson and Virginia Tech in the second half of the season, the Hoos avoid three of the top four teams in the 2024 ACC Football Preseason Poll this season. UVA avoids preseason favorite Florida State, who is ranked No. 8 in the AP Preseason Poll. Virginia also misses No. 19 Miami and No. 24 NC State. Miami was picked to finish third in the ACC, while NC State was picked to finish fourth. While Virginia does draw No. 5 though No. 8 in the ACC Preseason Poll, the good news is that those are more winnable games than having to play some of the top teams in the ACC. Even though the Hoos were picked to finish second to last in the conference, Virginia has a reasonably favorable ACC schedule, which should provide them with plenty of winnable matchups.

Virginia Football Projected Depth Chart 3.0: Injuries Shake Up Starting Lineup

Virginia Football Position Overview: Analyzing UVA’s Pass Catchers in 2024

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What ESPN’s Matchup Predictor Indicates For All 12 Virginia Football Games 

With Xavier Brown Injury, Jack Griese is Next Man Up in Virginia RB Room

Virginia Football: Five Keys for UVA to Make a Bowl Game in 2024



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Giants will hold 2026 training camp in West Virginia

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Giants will hold 2026 training camp in West Virginia


The New York Giants will be forced to hold their 2026 training camp, the first with John Harbaugh as head coach, out of state.

Per a report from the New York Post, the Giants will hold what will likely be the first two weeks of training camp in West Virginia at the Greenbrier Resort, located in White Sulpher Springs.

Part of the reason for the move is the fact that World Cup games will be held at MetLife Stadium this summer. There is also ongoing construction at the Giants’ facility at 1925 Giants Drive. The Giants are expanding their locker room, weight room, dining facility and office space at their headquarters, constructed in 2009. That work began before Harbaugh was named head coach.

NFL teams have used the Greenbier extensively since 2014, when it was first established to host training camp for the New Orleans Saints. The Houston Texans and Cleveland Browns have held training camps there, and other have practiced there during extended road trips.

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The facility has two grass fields and a FieldTurf field, as well as all of the other accommodations an NFL needs.

The Giants have trained at their own Quest Diagnostics Training Center in East Rutherford, N.J. since 2013.

Exact dates for NFL training camps have not yet been set, but the starting date is generally some time in late July. Per the Post, most practices at the Greenbrier are expected to be open to the public.



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Senate approves lawmaker pay raise as teacher pay hike stalls in Virginia budget talks

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Senate approves lawmaker pay raise as teacher pay hike stalls in Virginia budget talks


As the legislative session in Richmond comes closer to an end, lawmakers are still hard at work hammering out the budget for the year ahead. This year, the Senate has approved a pay raise for lawmakers after tabling bills that would have provided larger pay increases for teachers.

With the cost of living rising, teachers across Virginia have been watching the proposed budget closely and hoping for higher pay.

In February, a bill that would have raised teacher salaries by 4.5% each year until reaching the national average of $77,000 was tabled until next year. The decision left some educators disappointed.

“It’s definitely disappointing. We’re at a time where we are struggling to keep highly qualified staff in the buildings and in the profession, to be quite honest, because we have to compete with other industries,” Karl Loos, president of the Lynchburg Education Association, said.

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SEE ALSO: ‘Strangest election cycle:’ Registrars prepare for referendum vote despite legal limbo

There is still a 3% increase for teachers included in the proposed Senate budget, and a 2% increase in the House of Delegates’ proposed budget. But Loos said a 3% raise only matches the rate of inflation, and will likely not be appealing enough to fill vacant positions.

“I think certainly teacher pay is a deterrent for a lot of people, especially as they see the amount of work that goes into it and the compensation for that work,” Loos said.

The Virginia Education Association also advocated for the 4.5% pay increase. Chad Stewart, the interim director of Government Relations and Research, said they believe budget uncertainty may have made lawmakers hesitant to commit to long-term increases they might not be able to sustain.

According to the State Fiscal Impact Statement, seen below, it would have required an additional $159.0 million in 2027, and increasing amounts for the next couple of years to meet the goal of reaching the national average.

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“We’ve seen commitments going back decades from previous governors who have all stated they want to get the national teacher pay average, but no governor has ever delivered on it,” Stewart said.

Stewart said the average national pay for teachers they are hoping to meet is $77,000, and that the current average salary for teachers in the Commonwealth is around $70,000. He said ultimately it comes down to the budget, and he hopes in the following years teachers will receive that larger pay increase. Stewart said the organization hopes Gov. Spanberger will be the first to follow through on that promise.

Meanwhile, legislation that would increase pay for state lawmakers was passed in the Senate on Thursday. Republican Del. Tim Griffin of the 53rd District said he voted against the measure.

“I was outraged last week when they raised their own pay. I voted against it,” Griffin said. “When you run on affordability, I think people expected it to be more affordable for the people that live and work in Virginia, not for ourselves. It kind of defeats the purpose.”

When asked about the proposed pay increases in the House and the Senate, Campbell County Superintendent Clay Stanley said in a statement, “I am praying for 3%. Our teachers, at minimum, deserve a raise that matches the cost of living increase.”

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ABC13 reached out to local Democratic lawmakers for comment on the teacher pay raise legislation, but did not receive a response.



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Why a 6-year-old with diabetes is pushing for change in Virginia – WTOP News

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Why a 6-year-old with diabetes is pushing for change in Virginia – WTOP News


First grader Ruston Revell is pressing Virginia lawmakers to pass a bill that he argues will make schools safer for kids with diabetes.

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Why a 6-year-old with diabetes is pushing for change in Virginia

Speaking in front of Virginia lawmakers, 6-year-old Ruston Revell needs a wooden stool to reach the microphone for his testimony about diabetes.

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Dressed in his blue suit and red tie, he’s there on a mission.

“Living with diabetes isn’t easy, there are lots of ups and downs — just like my blood sugar,” Ruston told legislators in the Virginia General Assembly.

The legislation that brought Ruston from Prince William County to Richmond would update an existing law to specify how Virginia schools handle accommodations for students with diabetes.

“When I’m at school, my nurse and all my teachers help me when I need it, but not all kids like me are that lucky,” Ruston told WTOP. “These bills change that, so kids with diabetes can be safer in schools.”

He’s testified before committees in both chambers as corresponding bills move through the Virginia General Assembly. HB1301 and SB122 have both earned support in their respective chamber.

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“Although, I’m small, my voice is big and it can change the world,” Ruston said.

In his testimony, the first grader clearly explained the care he requires to manage his Type 1 diabetes during the school day.

“He just pops up on his little stool and takes control of the room,” said Kelly Revell, Ruston’s mom. “It’s usually a little quiet, and after he finishes, he gets a whole room full of applause.”

Today, Ruston enjoys playing baseball, swimming and spending time at the playground.

But things were different before his diagnosis five years ago.

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A life-changing diagnosis at 15 months old

During the summer of 2020, Kelly said her son started showing signs of diabetes, such as extreme thirst — symptoms she recognized because her father had been diagnosed in his 20s.

“He would just lounge around the house and have no interest in playing with his sister,” Kelly said. “He stopped eating, so he was eventually airlifted to Children’s National in D.C., where he was admitted to the pediatric ICU for nearly a week.”

At just 15 months old, Ruston was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. Kelly said that news was life-changing.

“Now, in order to keep him alive, we have to hurt him multiple times a day, by giving him four to five shots and even a dozen finger pricks just to make sure his blood sugar is in range,” she recalled.

Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease where the body attacks cells that make insulin. A lack of insulin can lead to high blood sugar, which could cause serious health issues or be deadly.

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“We had to wake up at 2 a.m. every night for six weeks, before we started utilizing technology, just to make sure that he was safe and healthy with his blood sugar,” Kelly said. “A lot of times, it resulted in phone calls to the hospital because he was at a dangerous level, and then we would be up for hours making sure he was back in range.”

For the Revell family, managing Ruston’s diabetes looks different nowadays.

Ruston Revell, 6, has traveled from Prince William County to Richmond to testify in favor of a bill surrounding Virginia schools and students with diabetes.
(Courtesy Kelly Revell)

Courtesy Kelly Revell

Ruston stands alongside Virginia Sen. Jeremy McPike, who sponsored the bill in the upper chamber
Ruston stands alongside Virginia Sen. Jeremy McPike, who sponsored the bill in the upper chamber.
(Courtesy Kelly Revell)

Courtesy Kelly Revell

Ruston testifying in front of Virginia lawmakers
Ruston and other advocates say the bill would make schools safer for kids with diabetes.
(Courtesy Kelly Revell)

Courtesy Kelly Revell

Ruston and his mom Kelly (middle) have joined other advocates in Richmond to press legislators to pass the bill
Ruston and his mom Kelly (middle) have joined other advocates in Richmond to press legislators to pass the bill.
(Courtesy Kelly Revell)

Courtesy Kelly Revell

Ruston poses in Richmond
The statewide regulations on diabetes care in school haven’t been updated since 1999, Kelly said.
(Courtesy Kelly Revell)

Courtesy Kelly Revell

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How a 6-year-old handles his diabetes

Ruston knows how to prick his finger to check whether his blood sugar is in range.

“My mom and dad help me change my insulin pump every three days, and my CGM every 10 days,” Ruston said, referencing his continuous glucose monitor, known as a CGM.

“It hurts, but at least I don’t have to do shots. They’re the worst.”

Living with diabetes, Ruston needs to calculate the number of carbs he’s getting to determine his insulin dose, which is administered automatically through a pump.

“He is a pro at using a food scale,” Kelly said. “If he wants to eat anything, apple slices, we cut them up, and he puts them on the food scale and determines how many carbs are in that.”

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Halfway through his interview with WTOP, Ruston’s phone beeped, flagging his low blood sugar and triggering a quick juice-box break.

That’s the kind of intervention he could require at school.

“When I’m low, Nurse Barnes tells Ms. Grant for me to have a juice box or gummies,” Ruston said, describing a snack to correct his blood sugar.

At his current school, Kelly said Ruston has had all his medical accommodations met since his first day of kindergarten.

“He gets so many hugs. Everyone knows him. He walks into the front office every day to visit the clinic, and they just they really take care of him,” she said.

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Things were more complicated before Ruston began kindergarten. Kelly said the family was initially told that the accommodations requested by his doctor would not be allowed.

“What was most difficult at the time was the thought that a kindergartener would be responsible for alerting adults if his phone signaled a low or high blood sugar, rather than having trained staff receive those alerts directly through available technology,” she told WTOP.

The situation was resolved, but it drew Kelly’s attention toward legal protections for kids with diabetes.

What Kelly and Ruston are asking Virginia lawmakers to do

ruston stands at podium talking
Ruston told lawmakers about his experience managing diabetes during the school day. (Courtesy Kelly Revell)

For the past several years, Kelly has been involved with an advocacy group, FOLLOWT1Ds, which argues that unclear or inconsistent school policies can create stress for families and put kids in danger.

“Prince William County has updated their diabetes policies recently, so more students with diabetes across our county are better protected,” Kelly said. “But that’s not happening everywhere in Virginia.”

The bills moving through the Virginia legislature would require school systems to create a divisionwide plan for supporting students with diabetes.

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That would include making sure school staff are trained to follow through with a child’s medical orders.

“You really have to put in all of your trust in your school,” Kelly said. “This is a life-threatening disease, and if they forget to give him a juice box when he’s low, that can result in him going to the hospital, or it could be fatal.”

The legislation would also require schools have procedures for administering insulin and glucagon.

Families who have students with diabetes would send schools medical orders from their doctors that outline the child’s needs.

“A lot of times, the schools will either deny or modify these accommodations, even though they’re medically necessary,” Kelly said.

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The statewide regulations haven’t been updated since 1999, Kelly said.

“While we’ve had all of these technology advances, like the insulin pump and the CGM, Virginia still hasn’t advanced their laws to align with standard methods of care that we’re using today,” Kelly said.

Ruston doesn’t receive insulin shots anymore. But Virginia law is behind on that front, according to Kelly and other advocates.

“Right now, the policy in Virginia, if his pump were to fall off while at school, they would, instead of reinsert the pump, they would give him a shot,” Kelly said.

In that scenario, Kelly said the school employee would have to calculate how much insulin to dose.

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“I wouldn’t even know what to dose him, because with the pump, it’s automated nowadays,” she said. “It would require an immediate call to his doctor for guidance.”

She worries that it could lead to a miscalculation and health complications.

Kelly said the lack of consistency can impact older students, too. She said some high schoolers have gotten in trouble for having their cellphones at schools that ban the devices.

But those phones let students monitor their blood sugar, communicate medical treatments and administer insulin.

It’s the second year in a row that advocates like Kelly have asked legislators in Richmond to approve revisions to state law.

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This time, Ruston is joining the push for change by sharing his story with lawmakers.

“I want to make sure other kids in different schools can have more help with diabetes,” Ruston told WTOP.

Anyone interested in following the legislation or submitting a comment to lawmakers can find more information on FOLLOW T1Ds’ website.

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