Collectively, Virginia pass-catchers gained 2,748 yards in 2024, right around the national average. The players responsible for 1,908 of those yards, 162 of 246 total team receptions and 11 of 16 total team receiving touchdowns are no longer with the program, casualties of eligibility rules or the transfer portal.
However, the returning receivers in senior Trell Harris, sophomore Kameron Courtney, senior Andre Greene and junior Suderian Harrison, as well as returning senior tight end Dakota Twitty, can help fill the void. Harris and Courtney seem poised for starting roles alongside graduate transfer Cam Ross from James Madison and senior transfer Jahmal Edrine from Purdue. Graduate transfer Jayden Thomas from Notre Dame and freshman Josiah Abdullah could also be quick to contribute. All the ingredients are there for a more efficient passing game than Coach Tony Elliott has had in his first few years with the program.
Despite only playing in four games before suffering a season-ending injury last year, Harris averaged 14.7 yards per catch as one of the most efficient pass catchers on the team. Wide receivers coach Adam Mims views Harris as the potential number one receiver for the offense.
“He is a game changer,” Mims told Sports Illustrated during spring camp, “He has taken this room by the reins, and he’s shown the leadership that I’ve desired out of him.”
Ross joins the Cavaliers after one year at James Madison and four injury-plagued seasons, including a broken foot which was hurt twice, with Connecticut. When he has seen the field, he has been productive, averaging nearly four receptions and 44 yards per game. Last season, he was Third-Team All-Sun Belt as kick returner.
On offense, he lined up inside for just under 40 percent of snaps in his career, making him one of the most experienced Cavaliers at slot receiver. He could cede some snaps to Courtney, who only started two games last season but made the most of his opportunities, putting up 12 catches for 114 yards and receiving the team Offensive Rookie of the Year award.
Edrine spent two seasons with Florida Atlantic before transferring to Purdue. In his lone active year as a Boilermaker, Edrine averaged 15.9 YPC, better than any Cavalier with double-digit receptions. Elliott views 6-foot-3 Edrine as a similarly versatile threat to 6-foot-4 former Clemson receiver and 2017 first round NFL draft pick Mike Williams.
“I saw him stop and start and make somebody miss as a guy [Williams’] size,” Elliott told Sports Illustrated on what reminded him of Williams, “The next play he’s running a slant into a tight window and catching the ball. So just a big body, the fluidity of movement, the natural hands.”
As for Greene, 2024 was his first as a Cavalier after transferring from North Carolina, and he had nine catches in eight starts and put up less than 100 yards total. Harrison has averaged 10 receptions and less than 100 yards across two seasons. Both the senior and the junior could get more snaps in the event of injuries to their teammates.
Abdullah has already received high praise after a standout spring, including comparisons to a former First-Team All-ACC receiver, and may see significant action earlier than expected.
“The kid loves football. Extremely smart, tough, and physical,” offensive coordinator Des Kitchings told 247Sports. “I’m cautiously saying this, but he has some attributes of Malik Washington.”
Thomas, a former consensus four-star recruit, spent four seasons with Notre Dame. In his senior season, his production and efficiency declined from previous years despite appearing in 16 games of the Fighting Irish’s runner-up playoff. He has shown talent throughout his career, however, and a change of scenery and greater opportunity will do him good.
As for the tight ends, Elliott’s offenses tend toward minimal touches. Besides Tyler Neville last season, the only tight end to have a 30 reception season in Elliott’s offense was Jordan Leggett for Clemson, where Eliott was offensive coordinator.
Twitty, however, is different from previous Virginia tight ends — he breaks the mold. Formerly a wide receiver, his versatility and athleticism makes him an integral piece to the offense.
“We can put him at any of the four receiver positions that are on the field, and he can go execute,” Elliott said during early August media availability, “We’re gonna need him to be the glue that holds everything together.”
Even with the challenge of a new position, one that requires development in pass and run protection, Elliott is confident in Twitty.
“He’s making progress as a blocker,” Elliott said, “He’s one of the guys that I’ve probably challenged the most this camp, because he’s got a really high upside.”
Graduate student Sage Ennis will also play a key role as a blocker and graduate transfer Walker Wallace — formerly of Cornell lacrosse — is interesting to watch.
Whether this group can sustain losses in eligibility and the transfer portal remains to be seen, but the talent is certainly there. With graduate transfer Chandler Morris taking over at quarterback and upgrades along the offensive line, increased production in the pass game could put that talent to use.
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