The Virginia Cavaliers open the new year (and the first 2026 installment of Around The Corner) with a record-setting football season, earning the first 11-win season in program history after beating the Missouri
Tigers 13-7 in the 2025 Gator Bowl.
Here are some of the top Virginia sports stories circulating in ’Hooville.
Notable News
Transfer Portal Primer: What To Expect From Virginia Football When The Portal Opens – The Daily Progress
College football is experiencing a shorter transfer window this year—only two weeks long from January 2 through January 16. How are Virginia’s Tony Elliott and general manager Tyler Jones approaching the quick transfer recruitment window?
One of the biggest lessons from last year’s transfer portal wins was proven player ability—instead of betting on player potential. But, “production” has to be met with program and team fit, too.
And with such a short window, recruiting staff relies on their relationships with agents and agencies to secure commitments quickly. While the program focuses on retaining current talent, it’s also looking to build depth on the offensive and defensive lines and to find replacements for J’mari Taylor and Harrison Waylee at running back.
Six Cavaliers Earn CSC Academic All-District Honors – Virginia Sports
College Sports Communications (CSC) has awarded six Virginia football players All-Academic Honors, including Will Bettridge (PK), Sage Ennis (TE), Grant Ellinger (OL), Noah Hartsoe (OL), Hunter Osborne (OL), and Brady Wilson (OL). To be eligible for the recognition, undergraduates must have a cumulative 3.5 grade point average (on a 4.0 scale), be at least a sophomore, and play in the majority of their team’s games.
Virginia Football’s J’Mari Taylor and Sage Ennis declare for 2026 NFL Draft – Streaking The Lawn
Virginia’s running back J’Mari Taylor and tight end Sage Ennis both announced on their personal social media pages that they have declared for the 2026 NFL draft. Both players are graduate transfers who joined UVA this past year.
J’Mari spent his first four seasons with the NC Central Eagles but made a name for himself in his single year in Charlottesville. He is the first UVA player since 2018 to rush over 1,000 yards and the first UVA running back since 2004 to earn first-team All-ACC honors. Ennis ended his electric year with 23 receptions, 214 yards, and five touchdowns
Meanwhile, linebacker Trey McDonald is entering the transfer portal after three years at Virginia, with one year of eligibility remaining.
No. 21 UVA Basketball Falls To Virginia Tech In Triple Overtime – Streaking The Lawn
A loss to Virginia Tech hurts—but a loss in triple overtime may be worse. The ’Hoos lost 95-85 in triple overtime against the Virginia Tech Hokies in the ACC opener last week.
Malik Thomas and Thijs de Ridder led the team in scoring with 26 points and 22 points, respectively. Poor shooting riddled Virginia’s first half, but they somehow held a 24-23 lead into halftime. The ball started to fall in the second 20 minutes, but with 35 seconds left in the game, Johann Grunloh’s goaltending violation sent the game into its first overtime.
A Virginia Tech buzzer-beater sent the game into its second OT, followed by a buzzer-beating offensive rebound by Chance Mallory for the third OT. Finally, the Hokies dominated to close it out and hand the ’Hoos their road loss.
Social Media Dive
Virginia basketball legend Dawn Staley returned to Grounds just before the holidays and made an appearance at JPJ and across athletic programs.
Plus, check out UVA wrestling coach Steve Garland, who is celebrating 200 career wins—another marker for program and coaching success at UVA.
