Virginia Quarterback Chandler Morris Denied 7th Year of Eligibility

Cavaliers add experienced transfers Beau Pribula and Eli Holstein to compete for starting job in 2026

Apr. 3, 2026 at 1:51pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a college football quarterback in motion, with their body fractured into sharp, overlapping shapes and planes in a multi-perspective style, conceptually representing the transition in Virginia's quarterback room.The departure of Virginia's veteran quarterback Chandler Morris opens the door for new signal-callers to lead the Cavaliers' offense in 2026.Norman Today

Virginia quarterback Chandler Morris was denied his request for a 7th year of collegiate eligibility after a preliminary injunction was rejected. The Cavaliers have added former Missouri starter Beau Pribula and ex-Pittsburgh QB Eli Holstein through the transfer portal to compete for the starting job in 2026, with Pribula viewed as the early favorite.

Why it matters

Morris was a key leader and playmaker for Virginia, guiding the team to the ACC Championship and nearly the College Football Playoff last season. His departure leaves a void, but the Cavaliers have brought in experienced replacements who could continue the program's recent success.

The details

Morris had hoped to gain an additional year of eligibility by suing the NCAA, but his request for a preliminary injunction was denied. Virginia was prepared for this outcome, having already added Pribula and Holstein to the quarterback room earlier this offseason. Pribula, a former Missouri starter, is seen as the frontrunner to take over the reins of the offense due to his dual-threat abilities, which could complement Virginia's strong running game. Head coach Tony Elliott was impressed with Pribula's performance at the team's recent pro day.

  • In November 2025, Pribula started for Missouri against Oklahoma.
  • Virginia held its pro day recently, where Pribula showcased his skills.

The players

Chandler Morris

The former Virginia quarterback who was denied a 7th year of eligibility after leading the Cavaliers to the ACC Championship game last season.

Beau Pribula

A transfer quarterback from Missouri who is expected to compete for the starting job at Virginia in 2026.

Eli Holstein

A transfer quarterback from Pittsburgh who will also compete for the starting role at Virginia next season.

Tony Elliott

The head coach of the Virginia Cavaliers football team.

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What they’re saying

“Yeah, I thought from the perspective that I saw is I really just focused on the practice aspect of it, and I thought he did a really good job. I was out there for a majority of pro day, and then I had some obligations from a media standpoint with ACC Network, and so I missed his actual throwing session. So I hadn't heard he did what he needed to do for those guys. But in terms of practice, You couldn't tell that he had done that early in the day.”

— Tony Elliott, Head Coach, Virginia Cavaliers

What’s next

The competition between Pribula and Holstein to be Virginia's starting quarterback in 2026 will continue through spring practice and fall camp.

The takeaway

While the loss of Chandler Morris is a significant one for Virginia, the Cavaliers have proactively addressed the quarterback position by bringing in two experienced transfers in Beau Pribula and Eli Holstein. This should help ensure a smooth transition and continued success for the program in 2026 and beyond.