The UVA Football roster has tons of depth across the position groups. The depth at tailback might be the most impressive.
“I feel really good about the running back position. Been here going on five years, this is the most competitive depth I have. I think I got six guys we can win football games with,” said Keith Gaither, the running backs coach, in a gaggle with reporters after practice on Monday.
Tailback room: 2026
- Jekail Middlebrook (2025 at Middle Tennessee): 750 rushing yards, 5.4 yards/attempt, four TDs, two fumbles, 40 catches/60 targets, 412 yards.
- Peyton Lewis (2025 at Tennessee): 630 yards and 10 TDs in two seasons, averaging 4.7 yards/attempt.
- Solomon Beebe (2025 at UAB): 338 rushing yards, six TDs, 31 catches/38 targets, 284 yards.
- Xavier Brown (2025 at Virginia):241 rushing yards, 4.7 yards/attempt, one TD.
- Noah Vaughn (2025 at Virginia):174 rushing yards, 7.6 yards/attempt.
- Xay Davis (2025 at Virginia):41 yards on 12 attempts in the 13-7 win over Missouri in the Gator Bowl.
Breaking things down
Gaither said earlier in training camp that Middle Tennessee transfer Jekail Middlebrook would be the TB1.
Middlebrook “continues to impress,” the coach said on Monday, but “he’s not the only one.”
“Noah Vaughn has been a highlight. Going into practice 10, he’s improved being more consistent, he’s been available, he’s improving protection, he’s done a good job, so, you know, he’s finally starting to reach his full potential,” Gaither said.
“Xay Davis is just very Mr. Consistent,” Gaither said. “Runs behind his pads. Coming out of the scrimmage, he had 33 yards at the contact. So, that was of a concern coming into this. Well, that was a concern coming into the spring. We got to get guys that can break tackles and really emphasize yards at the contact.”
“Then you have Xavier Brown. Xavier Brown had his first full practice today, and he broke a couple of big runs today,” Gaither said. “He’s been plugged in the whole time. He’s a really good leader for my room.”
“And then you got Solomon Beebe, who’s very versatile,” Gaither said. “We’ll line him up as a slot receiver, put him in the backfield. He can cover kicks, he can return kicks.”
“And then you have Peyton Lewis. His back stiffened up on him today, so he didn’t practice this. Didn’t have many reps, but he’s had a pretty good camp,” Gaither said. “He’s still getting familiar with the system, still learning how we do things, so I feel really good.”
With six backs in the mix, Gaither said, “the task is going to be on me, how do I manage it, keeping those guys healthy and there’s not enough carries. I gotta find a way to create some packages and just maximize their potential better. I expect to play all of them if they’re healthy, and they’re playing a ton of special teams.”
In depth
Gaither on Jekail Middlebrook
“He never gets rattled. I mean, he’s calm, he’s cool, he’s got his poise. He learns football very easy. You put a new concept in, you put him out at receiver, I mean, he just picks it up. So, he’s a fast learner, he runs hard, he’s elusive. I mean, he can change direction, he can catch the ball in the backfield. He does it all well. He may not do anything great, but he does it all well, and he’s such a fast learner. And such a great kid. You know, he smiles, contagious. Just a great teammate, you know. He’s a joy to coach. I’m fortunate to be able to have him for two years.”
Gaither on Noah Vaughn
“You know, he’s had the injury bug. I think the main thing with him, first of all, I love the kid, I love Noah. And we had our ups and downs throughout the course of the three years, and his struggles are my struggle. Because if it’s someone that you recruited, you sought out there, and you see the talent, and not to see it come for fruition, it always falls back on the coach, so I take great accountability. Hey, it’s on me, not on him.
“We had a great conversation in the summer. Just honest feedback. Just telling him his biggest competition is him. It’s nobody else. Always has been. And he’s came to work every day with a great mindset. Just finding ways to get better every day, and control the controllables while you’re thriving in it, and he’s done it. I’ve been so proud of him, and he’s done it at a high level, and earned every rep he’s getting.”
Gaither on Xavier Brown
“He was rusty earlier, and I think it’s more about being confident in that knee. We convinced him to put that knee brace on for safety and protection, and now he’s been practicing for the last four or five days with the group, and every day I’ve been giving him some runs against the defense, he’s getting better. You’re starting to see the rust wear off, and today he had a couple good runs.
“Mentally, he’s in great shape. It’s just the body getting in shape and getting the strength back, and more about the confidence. But the thing I’m more proud of for him, he’s been a great leader. That’s what you expect out of a kid who’s already a graduate, who’s been with us for over four years. So, he’s doing a great job for his leadership, and now he’s starting to make some plays. I’m very happy for him. And is also competitive. He’s an ultra competitor.”
Best receiver among the TBs: Jekail Middlebrook
“Oh, yeah, Jekail catches the ball well. Solomon Beebe catches it well. Xay Davis catches it well. Noah Vaughn has some drops, but he has decent ball skills. And Peyton Lewis. They all have decent ball skills. They all can catch the ball out of the backfield, they all can go out and be detached as a wide receiver. They all run good routes. They all have pretty good ball skills. But I’d say, if you say who has the best ball skills, natural ball skills, Jekail. Like, he just does everything, kick returner, he’s just a good football player.”
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Chris Graham
