<body><div><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=2JKYPM_0uecApLS00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=2JKYPM_0uecApLS00" width="620" height="320" >CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va.-- <a href="https://247sports.com/college/virginia/">Virginia</a> football is one step closer to kicking off its 2024 campaign. The Cavaliers will open up fall camp next Wednesday with <a href="https://247sports.com/Coach/tony-elliott-1265/">Tony Elliott</a> and his staff hoping to move forward from last season - a season that saw the 'Hoos close to turning a corner but never able to take the final step losing four games by three points or less. "The biggest question for me is how much progress the guys made this offseason and being a team," said Virginia head coach Tony Elliott on Friday during his press conference, "that's first and foremost is with the veteran returning we should have leadership. I want to see the chemistry and then positionally, just who's going to emerge in the corner position. You know, I think that's probably the position there where there's the most unknowns. We definitely got a healthy pool. of guys to compete. It's just a function of them having an opportunity during fall camp." The Cavaliers have been dealt with its fair share of adversity over the course of Elliott's tenure in Charlottesville on and off the field. Elliott says it was nice to focus on offseason football development this year. "I feel like this is the true first offseason that we've had without any kind of you know disruption or others things that you've got to truly focus on," he said. "So I'm excited to see.. and I think that will help from a developmental standpoint, as well." In addition to Elliott, Virginia made every assistant coach available on Friday. Here is some of the biggest takeaways from the morning interviews with UVA's staff - full stories on each position will be posted in detail throughout camp. THE POSITION BATTLES IN THE SECONDARYAs noted by Elliott the position battle at corner, and honestly how things settle in the secondary, will be one to watch this training camp. Who will round off the rotation amonf the group? "First thing you are returning Jonas [Sanker], who is documented as one of the best safeties in the league," said Elliott. "In AC [<a href="https://247sports.com/Player/antonio-clary-46037873/">Antonio Clary</a>], we have a veteran that we didn't have last year that's coming back.. <a href="https://247sports.com/Player/elijah-gaines-46078864/">Elijah Gaines</a> is a year older, that was battling injury last year that gives us some more some more depth and competition. Malcolm [Greene] has got another year under his belt in the system. He's a very versatile guy that can play corner and can get played nickel and has the skill set and the mindset to be able to play both of those positions."Elliott also mentioned <a href="https://247sports.com/Player/dre-walker-46134866/">Dre Walker</a>, the second year Cavalier, who made some noise as a freshman last season, and put on about 20 pounds in the offseason, now weighing 188 pounds compared to his 168-169 pounds last season. <a href="https://247sports.com/Player/kempton-shine-46056486/">Kempton Shine</a>, Corey Thomas, Aidan Ryan, <a href="https://247sports.com/Player/micah-gaffney-46084829/">Micah Gaffney</a> were also mentioned by the head coach. "There's definitely a great pool of candidates now," said Elliott. "There's opportunity for competition." </div></body>

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Notebook: Virginia football prepares to kick off fall camp, the shake up on the offensive line

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va.-- Virginia football is one step closer to kicking off its 2024 campaign. The Cavaliers will open up fall camp next Wednesday with Tony Elliott and his staff hoping to move forward from last season - a season that saw the 'Hoos close to turning a corner but never able to take the final step losing four games by three points or less.

Notebook: Virginia football prepares to kick off fall camp, the shake up on the offensive line

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