Top Wahoos

The University of Virginia football program, with roots stretching back to 1888, has produced a remarkable lineage of players who have shaped its history and elevated its standing in college football. Though not a perennial national title contender, UVA has nurtured talent that spans generations, from early pioneers to modern stars, earning accolades as All-Americans, record-breakers, and NFL standouts.

Identifying the best UVA football players of all time requires weighing their collegiate achievements, statistical dominance, and lasting impact on the program. This article celebrates ten of the most iconic Cavaliers, weaving their stories into a narrative of excellence and legacy.

Few players embody UVA’s early greatness like Bill Dudley, known as "Bullet Bill." Playing from 1939 to 1942, Dudley was a 5-foot-10, 168-pound marvel who excelled as a halfback, passer, kicker, and defender. In 1941, he powered UVA to an 8-1 record, rushing for 823 yards and scoring 20 touchdowns while averaging 43.8 yards per punt. That season, he claimed the Maxwell Award as the nation’s top player, finished fifth in Heisman Trophy voting, and earned unanimous All-America honors. His final game—a 28-7 Thanksgiving Day thrashing of North Carolina in 1941, broadcast nationwide—saw him score 22 points, a fitting capstone to his UVA career. Dudley’s No. 35 is retired, and his NFL Hall of Fame tenure, including two rushing titles, amplifies his legend. At UVA, he remains the archetype of versatility.

Defensively, Chris Long reigned supreme from 2004 to 2007. A defensive end with a relentless motor, Long earned ACC Defensive Player of the Year and unanimous All-America honors in 2007, recording 14 sacks and finishing 10th in Heisman voting—a rare nod for a defender. His career 24 sacks rank third in UVA history, and his No. 91 was retired while he was still active, a testament to his dominance. Son of NFL icon Howie Long, Chris anchored a defense that fueled four consecutive bowl bids. His two Super Bowl wins in the NFL add shine to his UVA legacy, where he was a transformative talent.

Bryce Perkins injected dynamism into UVA from 2018 to 2019. A junior college transfer, Perkins set single-season records in 2019 with 3,538 passing yards and 4,307 total offense yards, plus 11 rushing scores. His career 1,692 rushing yards as a quarterback stand alone in UVA annals. Leading UVA to 16 wins over two years, Perkins delivered a historic 2019 win over Virginia Tech—snapping a 15-year skid—and an ACC Championship Game appearance. His electrifying play under Bronco Mendenhall made him a modern fan favorite.

Jim Dombrowski, an offensive tackle from 1982 to 1985, laid the groundwork for UVA’s resurgence. A unanimous All-American in 1985, he won the Jacobs Blocking Trophy as the ACC’s top blocker in 1984 and 1985, anchoring lines that powered three straight winning seasons and the 1984 Peach Bowl win. At 6-foot-5 and 300 pounds, Dombrowski’s prowess earned him the No. 6 pick in the 1986 NFL Draft by the Saints. His retired No. 73 reflects his foundational role under Welsh.

Thomas Jones, a running back from 1996 to 1999, was a punishing force. His 3,998 career rushing yards rank second in UVA history, with his 1,798 yards in 1999 still a single-season record. Scoring 37 touchdowns, Jones earned first-team All-ACC honors and carried the offense through a transitional period. His NFL career—over 10,000 rushing yards—highlights his talent, but at UVA, he was a durable, bruising standout.

Herman Moore, a wide receiver from 1988 to 1991, dazzled with his hands and leaping ability. His 1,190 receiving yards in 1990 remain a UVA single-season record, and his career totals (2,504 yards, 22 touchdowns) rank among the best. A two-time All-American, Moore thrived in Welsh’s system, helping UVA soar. His NFL record of 123 catches in 1995 with the Lions adds to his legacy, but at UVA, he redefined the receiver role.

D’Brickashaw Ferguson, an offensive tackle from 2002 to 2005, was a fortress up front. A three-time first-team All-ACC pick, Ferguson allowed just one sack in his final three seasons, earning first-team All-America honors in 2005. At 6-foot-6 and 310 pounds, he protected quarterbacks like Schaub with aplomb. Drafted fourth overall by the Jets in 2006, he made three Pro Bowls, but his UVA tenure was marked by quiet dominance.

In the modern era, quarterback Matt Schaub redefined passing excellence from 2000 to 2003. Under coach Al Groh, Schaub’s 2002 season was a breakout: 2,976 yards, 28 touchdowns, and a 69.7% completion rate, earning him ACC Player of the Year and Offensive Player of the Year honors. UVA finished 9-5 and won the Continental Tire Bowl that year. By his senior season’s end, Schaub held 23 school records, including 7,502 career passing yards and 56 touchdown passes. A 2003 shoulder injury dimmed his Heisman hopes, but his precision and leadership endure in UVA lore. His 14-year NFL career, with two Pro Bowl selections, underscores his collegiate foundation.

Shawn Moore, another quarterback luminary, dazzled from 1987 to 1990 under George Welsh. A dual-threat maestro, Moore’s 1990 season—2,609 passing yards, 23 touchdowns, and 306 rushing yards—propelled UVA to a No. 1 national ranking for three weeks, a program milestone. Finishing fourth in Heisman voting, he secured first-team All-America status and led UVA to a share of the 1989 ACC title and its first bowl victory (1984 Peach Bowl). His career totals of 6,629 passing yards and 7,897 yards of total offense remain among UVA’s best. Moore’s game-changing presence turned the Cavaliers into an ACC force.

Heath Miller, a tight end from 2002 to 2004, brought finesse and reliability to the position. A two-time All-ACC selection, Miller won the 2004 John Mackey Award as the nation’s top tight end, amassing 144 receptions, 1,703 yards, and 20 touchdowns. His 2003 season (70 catches, 835 yards, six touchdowns) was snubbed for the Mackey, but he claimed it the next year. Miller’s consistency made him a linchpin for Schaub’s offense, and his two Super Bowl rings with the Pittsburgh Steelers affirm his elite pedigree. At UVA, he’s the benchmark for tight ends.

Honorable mentions include Tiki Barber, UVA’s all-time leading rusher with 4,541 yards, and Frank Quayle, the 1968 ACC Player of the Year with a 6.9-yard-per-carry average. Yet, the highlighted ten—Dudley, Schaub, Moore, Long, Miller, Perkins, Dombrowski, Jones, Moore, and Ferguson—stand apart for their transformative brilliance. Spanning eras and positions, they delivered unforgettable moments: Dudley’s Thanksgiving heroics, Moore’s No. 1 ranking, Perkins’s rivalry triumph.

These players embody UVA football’s spirit—resilience, talent, and pride. Their retired numbers (35, 73, 91) and records adorn Scott Stadium, while their stories inspire. From Dudley’s wartime exploits to Perkins’s modern flair, they’ve turned a program often in basketball’s shadow into a source of gridiron glory. Together, they form a pantheon of Cavaliers who define Virginia football’s enduring legacy.