When Aidan Ryan committed to Virginia on Mother’s Day back in 2020, he couldn’t wait to be a Cavalier. He probably couldn’t imagine it would be almost three years before he got a chance to officially take the field in orange and blue.

Ryan has yet to make his debut for the UVA football team as injuries shut down both his 2021 and 2022 seasons. So with 2023 kickoff almost here – the Hoos open on Saturday, Sept. 2 against Tennessee in Nashville – Ryan is ready to finally get his chance for the Hoos.

“I’d like to say so. I’ve been sideline for two years now, been riding the pine,” Ryan said with a smile. “Just want to go out, fly around, make some plays, and yeah be a Cavalier.”

Ryan, who is studying foreign affairs with a global culture and commerce minor, had started to carve out a path to the field last season when coach Tony Elliott and new defensive coordinator arrived. In that first spring with the new staff, his name started to come up more often. It looked like he was on track to be a part of the secondary in some role last fall.

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