Xavier Brown knows that staying on the field is the biggest challenge for him this season. With more help at RB, the Hoos should be improved in a number of ways.
Running back Xavier Brown finally got on the field and had a significant role last fall, taking advantage of his opportunities and showing flashes of what was to come. But another injury sidelined that trajectory, making the season ahead even more important for the Kentucky native.
As a junior, Brown rushed 80 times for 488 yards, averaging 6.1 yards per carry. He found the end zone just once on the ground, against Pittsburgh, but he did record a couple of touchdown catches, including a 46-yard receiving score against Louisville. Brown caught 127 passes for nine yards and a pair of touchdowns last year.
Unfortunately, he suffered an injury in the loss to SMU and wasn’t available for the season finale against Virginia Tech. Injuries have been a theme for Brown throughout his career, including missing the entire 2023 season.
Potential is clear for “X”
While there’s plenty of reasons to believe that Brown is set to breakout in 2025, he has one simple goal that should help him achieve it.
“The main thing is staying healthy,” Brown said of his efforts for this upcoming season. “We all know that’s something that’s been part of my career. Coach says ‘the best ability is availability.’ So just trying to stay healthy and take care of my body as best I can to stay on the field.
“I did a lot more stretching,” he continued. “I went to stretch lab a little bit just to get the body right. And just little things, film study, things to improve my game.”
Brown made improvements to his health both physically and mentally. Being durable is a critical part of a running back’s career, so Brown took it upon himself to see how professionals, including Detroit Lions’ back Jahmyr Gibbs and Packers running back Josh Jacobs, do just that.
“Doing some film study in the offseason was really important,” Brown explained. “Just watching how NFL backs and backs that are my size take hits and avoid different hits, and prolong their careers.”
A three-headed monster of sorts
Getting Brown back is big for the Cavaliers but the staff also got aggressive in adding running back talent to the 2025 roster. UVa brought in North Carolina Central’s J’Mari Taylor in the first portal window and added Wyoming’s Harrison Waylee in the spring.
That trio of backs figures to set the pace for the Hoos and, like many other positions, UVa is simply deeper in the backfield this year.
“I’d say there’s a lot more competitive depth. I think that’s changed from my first year here to my fourth year in the program,” Brown said. “If one guy goes down, any guy in the group can go. And that’s across the board at all positions. Honestly we have three or four guys in the room saying that they want over 1,000 yards. And I think that is an attainable goal. If we all work at it, it’ll come through.”
And despite the fact that the coaching staff brought in competition, Brown said the RB group is working well together thus far and they’ll all have to be at their best for the ground game to click.
“We mesh well,” the senior back explained. “Obviously I didn’t expect that when he first came in here, obviously we’re competing for the same spot. But he’s a guy that has come in with a lot of experience at his level and he helps me and I help him.”
Similar but complimentary skillsets
A home-run hitter who can do a lot of things out of the backfield, Brown brings a lot to the table. Taylor has some similar qualities, with perhaps a bit more experience running between the tackles. And Waylee is the most physical of the bunch, with a lot of experience taking inside runs to the second and third level of a defense.
Together, the hope is that the three backs form a versatile and productive backfield.
“I think all of us bring a little bit of a different thing to the game,” Brown told media memers after a recent fall camp practice. “Pass game, run game, blocking, we can all bring a different aspect to it. If they need to put someone in there in a certain situation, it can best fit the team,”
His first three years in the program have been full of highs and lows, both for him and the team. But if the senior tailback can stay healthy, he could be in line for a breakout year. And now that a deeper, more talented roster has been assembled across the board, Brown is optimistic about a breakout season for the program, too.
“I think that’s just what Coach (Tony) Elliott brought in with the portal and the high school guys. It’s taken time obviously. I think we got a lot more of the resources that we needed,” Brown said of the 2025 roster. “I think guys came in and are committed and want to win now.”
Category: General Sports
