Chandler Morris was the spark. Honestly, if you watched the University of Virginia quarterback situation unfold over the last twelve months, you saw something that felt like a fever dream for Wahoo fans who had suffered through a 3-9 season just two years ago.
Tony Elliott needed a miracle. He got a graduate transfer who had already seen it all at Oklahoma, TCU, and North Texas.
By the time the dust settled on the 2025 season, the Cavaliers weren't just "improved." They were 11-3. They were Gator Bowl champions. They were a flea-flicker away from a College Football Playoff berth. It’s wild how much one position can change the entire vibration of a campus.
The Chandler Morris Era: More Than Just Stats
When Morris arrived in Charlottesville in January 2025, the vibe was skeptical. People remembered him as the guy who got replaced by Max Duggan at TCU—the guy who had the talent but couldn't stay healthy. But at UVA, he became the unquestioned alpha.
He didn't just play; he dealt.
Look at the Stanford game in September. Morris threw for 380 yards and four touchdowns. He tied a career-high with five total scores. It was the first time in a long time you saw a University of Virginia quarterback actually look comfortable in Des Kitchings' system. He wasn't just throwing to Trell Harris; he was anticipating windows that hadn't been open in years.
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Then came the Florida State game. No. 8 in the country. Double overtime. Morris finishes with 229 yards and the game-winning touchdown run. That was the moment Scott Stadium felt real again.
Why the 2025 Season Felt Different
For years, the UVA quarterback room felt like a revolving door of "what-ifs." Anthony Colandrea had the moxie but struggled with the "hero ball" turnovers. Tony Muskett was steady but battled injuries.
Morris brought a specific kind of veteran polish. He finished the 2025 season with 3,000 passing yards, 16 touchdowns, and 5 rushing scores.
But it wasn't perfect.
The ACC Championship against Duke was a heartbreaker. 21-of-43 passing. Two interceptions. The last one—that flea-flicker in overtime—is going to haunt Charlottesville for a decade. It was the "UVA-est" way to lose a championship. Yet, seeing him bounce back to win Gator Bowl MVP against Missouri with a 13-7 win? That’s the definition of resilience.
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The Anthony Colandrea Departure and the New Blood
While Morris was leading the charge, the background noise was loud. Anthony Colandrea, the fan-favorite gunslinger, entered the transfer portal in December 2025 and eventually landed at Nebraska. It’s sorta sad, but that’s the modern game. You can’t keep two starters in one room anymore.
So, who is left?
Daniel Kaelin is the name you need to know now.
Kaelin, a sophomore transfer from Nebraska (funny how that trade worked out), is the projected 2026 starter. He’s 6-foot-3, 218 pounds, and won the Elite 11 accuracy competition back in high school. We saw a glimpse of him when Morris went down against Wake Forest. He didn't just pass; he ripped off a 54-yard run.
- Daniel Kaelin: The heir apparent. High ceiling, classic frame.
- Boone Lourd: The Los Angeles kid. He’s got that California zip on his ball.
- Grady Brosterhous: The "Grady Bunch" cult hero. Though he entered the portal recently, his "Grady Train" short-yardage packages were legendary in 2025.
What Most People Get Wrong About UVA's Offense
Everyone blames the quarterbacks when things go south, but look at the protection.
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One reason the University of Virginia quarterback position finally stabilized in 2025 was the offensive line. McKale Boley, Noah Josey, and Drake Metcalf decided to stay. They became a "F.I.S.T." (Five Individuals Strong Together).
If you're a quarterback, you aren't thinking about getting killed by a blindside blitz. You're thinking about Trell Harris and Jahmal Edrine.
Honestly, the 2025 turnaround wasn't a fluke. It was the result of a quarterback who knew how to manage a game and a coaching staff that finally stopped trying to force a square peg into a round hole.
What Happens in 2026?
With Chandler Morris graduating and Colandrea gone to Lincoln, the University of Virginia quarterback room is in transition again. But the floor is higher now.
Tony Elliott is a finalist for National Coach of the Year. The recruiting trail is hot. The "next man up" mentality actually means something when you have a winning culture to protect.
If you're following the Hoos this offseason, watch the spring game. It’s going to be the Daniel Kaelin show. He isn't Chandler Morris—he's a different type of athlete—but the foundation is there.
Next Steps for UVA Fans:
- Track the Transfer Portal: Keep an eye on secondary portal windows in the spring. Elliott might look for one more veteran arm to compete with Kaelin.
- Watch the O-Line Health: The return of McKale Boley is the biggest win of the 2026 offseason so far. Without him, the next QB has no chance.
- Study Daniel Kaelin’s Nebraska Tape: If you want to know what the future looks like, go back and watch his high school accuracy highlights. The kid doesn't miss.