With only three wins each of the last two seasons, Tony Elliott is just 6-16 after his first two campaigns at the helm of the University of Virginia Cavaliers.
Searching for the program’s first winning season since 2019, who are the top 10 returning players for the Virginia Cavaliers in 2024 that will help get them over the .500 hump?
UVA Cavaliers’ Top 10 Returning Players in 2024
10) Ben Smiley III, DE
Entering his sixth season on the Cavaliers, Ben Smiley III started four games combined in his first four seasons (2019-22) before starting eight in 2023.
His stats weren’t jaw-dropping (15 tackles, 3.5 for a loss, and two sacks), but Smiley brings valuable experience and unique size (6’4″, 270 pounds) for a UVA defense that had just 11 total sacks in 2023.
9) Daniel Sparks, P
Starting his career at ULM (2020-21), Daniel Sparks has been UVA’s primary punter the last two seasons, averaging 43.9 yards per attempt on 141 tries for his career. He’s been on the Ray Guy Award Watch List twice and took home All-ACC Second Team honors in 2022 after averaging 45.9 yards per punt that year.
8) Will Bettridge, K
Rarely do you see a punter and kicker inside a team’s top 10, but that’s a testament to UVA’s prowess on the third phase of the field with special teams.
Will Bettridge connected on 18 of his 21 field goal attempts (85.7%) last season and was a perfect 31-31 on extra points. For his career, Bettridge is 8-for-11 on attempts over 40 yards.
7) James Jackson, LB
A two-year starter and a team captain last season, James Jackson has 140 tackles in 18 starts from 2022-23. He had a breakout 2023 season with 80 tackles, six pass defenses, and an interception in 12 starts.
6) Anthony Colandrea, QB
Starting six games as a true freshman, Anthony Colandrea earned a CFN Freshman All-American Honorable Mention after a respectable showing right out of high school. He threw 154-246 (62.6%) for 1,958 yards, 13 touchdowns to nine interceptions.
5) Tony Muskett, QB
While it’s unclear which one is the starter after a so-so season for both, Tony Muskett is the favorite behind center as a fifth-year graduate student.
Muskett was one of the team’s representatives at ACC Media Days this year and was a team captain heading into last year, but injuries forced him to split time with Colandrea. He went 93-147 (63.3%) for 1,031 yards, six touchdowns, and five interceptions in six starts.
4) Kam Robinson, LB
Starting eight games as a true freshman, Kam Robinson had 71 tackles, 4.5 for a loss, and two interceptions, including a pick-six at Louisville. Robinson will undoubtedly climb up this list in years to come as he enters his sophomore season a force in the Cavaliers’ front seven.
3) Brian Stevens, OG
One of four returning offensive line starters for the Cavaliers, Brian Stevens earned a CFN All-American Honorable Mention after starting all 12 games for UVA last year — two at guard, 10 at center.
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Now a sixth-year graduate student after four years at Dayton (2019-22), Stevens is one of 40 centers named to the Rimington Award Watch List, given annually to the nation’s top center.
2) Malachi Fields, WR
While the play behind center was inconsistent for UVA last year, Malachi Fields was a steady presence on the field for whoever was delivering him the ball.
After hauling in 58 catches for 811 yards (14 yards per catch) and five touchdowns, Fields made his way to the Biletnikoff Award Preseason Watch List, given annually to the nation’s top receiver.
1) Jonas Sanker, S
A two-year starter heading into his senior year, Jonas Sanker made preseason watch lists for the Bednarik Award (top defensive player), Jim Thorpe Award (best defensive back), and the Nagruski Award (top defensive player).
He’s made 175 tackles across three seasons at UVA, with 107 tackles, 11 pass defenses, three forced fumbles, and four tackles for a loss in 2023.
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