Virginia Spring Football: Muskett and Colandrea Both Getting First Team QB Reps

Virginia has one of the more unique quarterback situations in college football in 2024. With two quarterbacks returning who each started six games last season, the Cavaliers are in a position of luxury in terms of depth and insurance against injury, but are dealing with some uncertainty as to which player offers the best chance of consistent success on the offensive side of the ball this fall.

While the rising sophomore gunslinger Anthony Colandrea is undoubtedly the quarterback of the future, former Monmouth transfer and fifth-year graduate Tony Muskett was the steadier hand when he was healthy, though not by much. Both led the Cavaliers to a big win, both experienced disappointing losses, and have similar completion percentages and touchdown-to-interception ratios.

Although not willing to go as far as to call it a quarterback competition, UVA head coach Tony Elliott confirmed this week that Colandrea and Muskett are splitting the first team reps in spring football, while noting that Muskett was and is still considered the starter even as Colandrea finished the 2023 season as the starter due to Muskett's shoulder injury.

"As I told them as we started spring, it's kind of how we finished the season: Tony was the starter, he won the job," Elliott said on Wednesday. "You know, Colandrea played well and did a good job, but that's where we're gonna start. But we're not gonna worry about that other than that's where we're gonna start. But we're gonna give them both equal amount of reps. Both of those guys have been running with the 1s, you know, giving them an opportunity to go work with the top guys that we have on offense - from an offensive line standpoint, backs and receivers."

While it does seem that there could be a quarterback battle brewing in Charlottesville, Elliott isn't focused on evaluating that aspect of things yet during spring practice, instead leaving that for fall camp. Elliott wants to use spring football primarily as an opportunity to help both Colandrea and Muskett improve as players.

"They got a great relationship, they're working well together. It's the spring, everybody's gonna talk about all that stuff [the QB competition], what my focus right now is both of them getting better," said Elliott. "As we get into the bulk of our live stuff, then you'll have some more true evaluation of where we are. But so far I've been pleased with both of their command of what we're doing."

Elliott elaborated on what he saw as significant improvements in Colandrea's quarterback play and comfortability running UVA's offense in this, his second spring in the program.

"Colandrea looks a lot more comfortable now. And the same thing, he's like those other freshmen that we were talking about. The system has slowed down a little bit now, this is the second time through it," Elliott said. "He understands it, he knows what his checks are, he knows what his reads are, what his progressions are, and now he can get to the next part of his game, which is kind of the nuances of being a quarterback, right? Just manipulating your snap count and voice inflection and looking off safeties and things of that nature."

There are compelling points for and against both Colandrea and Muskett and there's plenty of time for followers of Virginia football to engage in that debate over the next several months. But for now, we'll take Coach Elliott's cue and leave the quarterback battle talk until closer to the start of the season.