Virginia football has long been searching for a star running back. The program’s last 1,000-yard rusher, Jordan Ellis, departed in 2018 — long before this current crop of Cavalier tailbacks debuted at Scott Stadium. If Coach Tony Elliott hopes to alleviate any pressure resting on the shoulders of a new quarterback, he needs to establish a run game — something he has yet to do at Virginia.
This year, Elliott might finally have the pieces to unlock a key part of offensive coordinator Des Kitchings’ pro-style offense. The solution to the long-dormant running game comes in the form of two options — one, a returner, and the other a transfer.
Headlining the returners is senior running back Xavier Brown, who displayed flashes last year and could be in line for a breakout campaign. Brown spent much of last season as the Cavaliers’ No. 2 running back, finishing with about 34 carries fewer than the team’s leading rusher, graduate running back Kobe Pace.
But even in that number two role, Brown made plays. When Virginia travelled north to take on No. 23 Pittsburgh, Brown scored two touchdowns and led the team with 15 carries in the Cavalier ranked win.
Brown will aim to build upon his bright moments from 2024, but more importantly, his main focus is on the team’s overall success, as he stated during spring media availability.
“I want to win,” Brown said. “I’ve been here four years now. It’s in my heart to win.”
Brown was previously blocked on the depth chart by Kobe Pace, who exhausted his eligibility after the 2024 season. Now, Brown is a frontrunner for the starting role — battling it out with
J’Mari Taylor, a graduate running back who transferred in from North Carolina Central.
In three full seasons — plus a redshirt freshman year where the Charlotte, N.C. native played four games — Taylor moved all the way up to slot No. 10 on the program's career rushing list, and much of that work happened last year. Taylor’s 1,146 rushing yards during the 2024 campaign stood for fourth all-time among the Eagles.
When asked to describe his game, the graduate student referenced two NFL stars known for their elusiveness and ability to break off runs of more than 25 yards.
“I’m like Jahmyr Gibbs with Jonathan Taylor mixed in,” J’Mari Taylor said.
It’s a lofty comparison, but the back has proven that he can produce. In 2024, Taylor was one of 35 Walter Payton Award finalists — an honor given annually to the most outstanding offensive player in FCS football. The back also earned First Team All-Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference honors.
While those are impressive recognitions, the graduate student earned both at a level of competition much different than the arduous ACC. His reason for transferring was simple.
“I wanted to play at a higher level,” Taylor said.
The transfer’s aspirations are more than just individual success. Much like Brown, he emphasized what this Cavalier team is striving towards.
“This fall, there’s going to be a lot of great things. For one, we’re going to win — we’re definitely going to win,” Taylor said.
Both Brown and Taylor face a challenging task — revitalizing a Virginia running game that has laid almost entirely dormant for more than half a decade. For running backs, the mark of an impressive season is simple — 1,000 yards rushing. It is a value that has been hit by about 50 FBS running backs in each of the last four years.
Elliott has yet to produce even a 500-yard rusher in Charlottesville — though Pace and Brown finished 2024 at 499 and 488, respectively. But the Cavaliers have the backs and offensive line necessary to become a capable rushing team within the ACC.
With Brown and Taylor seemingly entering a position battle for the lead back role, the questions both players carry with them are obvious.
For Brown — can he become more consistent? The productive capabilities are clearly present — his performances north of 75 all-purpose yards against both Coastal Carolina and Pittsburgh are evidence enough. But outside of those two games, Brown did not surpass 55 yards on the ground in any other contest. For Taylor — will he be able to replicate his stellar numbers against FBS, let alone Power Four, competition? North Carolina Central faced one FBS opponent last season, North Carolina, against whom Taylor rushed for just 46 yards.
However, the position battle provides them with a unique opportunity to make the other better. Position battles, though fostering competition between players, do not have to pit them against one another.
It remains to be seen what Virginia’s runners can put together during fall camp, but if the backs, offensive line and other weapons coalesce, the Cavaliers could finally dominate on the ground.
“We feed off each other, and I think that’s a good relationship to have,” Brown said. “Just helping each other and trying to build this team up.”
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