Virginia starting QB projections 2024: Who will be Tony Elliott's QB1?

Virginia football coach Tony Elliott has struggled to get the best out of his team since taking over the reins in 2022. In the past two seasons, the Cavaliers have posted an underwhelming 6-16 record, failing to qualify for a bowl game each year.

Since Elliott needs a winning season in 2024, he needs to decide on the best quarterback to lead his offense in the upcoming season.

Predicting Tony Elliott's starting quarterback for Virginia in 2024

Virginia Cavaliers HC Tony Elliott (Source: Imagn)

As things stand, coach Tony Elliott has to pick between two top candidates for his starting quarterback: Tony Muskett or Anthony Colandrea.

Muskett is likely to get the QB1 spot for Virginia in the 2024 season. The signal-caller announced in December last year that he would return for his final year of college eligibility.

Muskett transferred to Virginia in Dec. 2022 after playing three seasons with Monmouth. He suffered a shoulder injury in his first game for the Cavaliers and the issue kept nagging him through the season.

Nonetheless, Muskett played six games in his first year at Virginia. He racked up 1,031 yards and six touchdowns on 93 passes. He also recorded 66 rushing yards and one touchdown on the ground.

Muskett underwent shoulder surgery in the offseason and made a solid impression at this year's spring game. He racked up 200 passing yards and a pair of long passing touchdowns, showing that he was back to his best.

Coach Elliott also has Anthony Colandrea in his quarterback department at Virginia. The signal-caller was called into action last year as a freshman when Muskett was out injured.

Colandrea started six games (1-5) for the Cavaliers in 2023, racking up 1,958 passing yards and 13 touchdowns. He also threw nine interceptions and finished with a record of 1-5 in his debut collegiate season.

Colandrea will likely be the backup to Muskett at Virginia in the upcoming season.