With the 2023 season now complete, the Virginia football program has turned its attention to the offseason. In modern day college football, that means it’s roster management time as December hits the calendar.
The NCAA transfer portal window opens on Dec. 4 and runs through Jan. 2. If a coach is fired or leaves a program, those players may enter the portal immediately. More than 2,100 players entered the transfer portal last December so this is obviously a busy time of year for programs across the country. Of course, there’s also the high school recruiting early signing period which occurs in December as well. That date is Dec. 20.
Coaches obviously have to address retention on their own rosters as well. Virginia coach Tony Elliott anticipated a “mad dash” around all the activity this month.
“You’re dealing with college kids, and now we’re going to start talking about portal, free agency and all of that, so there are going to be some tough conversations,” Elliott said after the Virginia Tech game. “First, we’ve got to figure out retention-wise, who are the guys we make sure that we retain on the roster and then look for opportunities to improve the roster.”
The early part of the offseason has brought some good news for the Hoos.
Jahmeer Carter, a senior defensive lineman, announced his intention to return to Virginia on Thursday. Antonio Clary, Kam Butler, and Chico Bennett Jr. all had previously said they would seek an additional year available to them through medical hardship waivers as well.
A pair of young freshman have also appeared on social media posts with UVA hype messages around other players making transfer portal announcements. Quarterback Anthony Colandrea and linebacker Kam Robinson each stepped in early for the Cavaliers and produced – Colandrea had 1,958 yards and 13 touchdowns passing, while Robinson made 71 tackles and had a pick-6 interception – so there was at least some fan concern that they would be targets in the transfer portal world given the presence of name, image, and likeness offerings.
Fans have started to discuss the free agency type of atmosphere around the sport this week on the message board. Check out some highlighted threads and the fan picks below.
- Elliott’s winning the off-season, he’s already received commitments from
Kam, Colandrea, Bennett, Butler and Carter. ~ Jimi W - Jahmeer’s coming back! ~ MarcHoo
- Looks like K Robinson and A Colandrea are staying. ~ HTrain90
- What are top 3 portal priorities? OL looks like #1 w/ d-ends close second. ~ Hooru66
- I have been studying up about O lineman since a lack of good power 5 O line
seems to be the downfall of teams with good skill position players. I read a reputable coach said there are usually only about 30 O lineman in the portal a year that could play at a power 5 level. ~ surfish1
Fan(s) Of The Week
The Matt Ganyard cheering section.
Student Fan(s) Of The Week
Go Hoos!
Feature Photo Of The Week
Jahmeer Carter announced he will return to Virginia next season.
