Jekail Middlebrook News, Rumors, Updates - Virginia Cavaliers

Good to go for Saturday Middlebrook (knee) is ready to rock for Saturday's clash with California, per the ACC availability report.

Impact As expected, Middlebrook will return to action for Virginia after sitting out Week 9 against Wake Forest. The running back appears to have recovered during the team's previous bye week. Middlebrook will lead the backfield while Xay Davis' touches will decrease with Middlebrook's return.

1 DAY AGO • ROTOWIRE

Looks poised to return Saturday Middlebrook (knee) is expected to return to action Saturday against California, per Jacquie Franciulli of 247Sports.com.

Impact Middlebrook was diagnosed with an MCL sprain and missed Week 9 at Wake Forest. The tailback has been quite productive when active this season as the Cavaliers' RB1, with 513 rushing yards and four scores on 4.9 yards per carry and 12 catches for 78 yards and a score to boot. He's now expected to return to action after a one-week hiatus.

3 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Diagnosed with MCL sprain Middlebrook's injury is an MCL sprain, Virginia head coach Tony Elliott said Saturday, per Jacquie Franciulli of 247Sports.com.

Impact This identifies the issue that kept Middlebrook out of Saturday's contest against Wake Forest, which marked his first absence of the season. The running back's status moving forward remains unclear, though if he is out long-term, Xay Davis and Xavier Brown are positioned to see an expanded role in the backfield.

OCTOBER 31 • ROTOWIRE

Will not play in Week 9 Middlebrook (undisclosed) has been ruled out for Saturday's game versus Wake Forest, per the ACC availability report.

Impact Middlebrook has officially been ruled out for Saturday, not especially surprising news considering he was listed as doubtful on Wednesday. He's coming off his best game of the season last week where he rushed 24 times for 117 yards and a touchdown, so it's an especially tough loss for the Cavaliers. Xay Davis is set to take the majority of the workload in Middlebrook's absence.

OCTOBER 29 • ROTOWIRE

Status in doubt for Week 9 Middlebrook (undisclosed) is listed as doubtful ahead of Saturday's matchup with Wake Forest.

Impact After rushing for a career-high 117 yards a week ago, Middlebrook will most likely miss Saturday's affair with the Demon Deacons due to an undisclosed injury. The halfback has 105 carries for 513 yards and four touchdowns, along with 12 receptions for 78 yards and one touchdown this year.

OCTOBER 28 • ROTOWIRE

Duke uses trick-play TD pass from Nate Sheppard to pull out 19-16 victory over Virginia

Duke running back Nate Sheppard threw a game-winning touchdown pass with 1:14 left

OCTOBER 24 • Associated Press

Registers career-high 117 rushing yards Middlebrook accrued 24 rushes for 117 yards and one touchdown during Friday's 19-16 loss versus Duke.

Impact Middlebrook was a workhorse against the Blue Devils, and his 117 rushing yards marked a career high. His previous best was 109 yards (with two touchdowns) in a game at Kennesaw State as a member of the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders of Conference USA. He'll look to carry over the momentum into next Saturday's game at Wake Forest.

OCTOBER 23 • ROTOWIRE

Totals 78 scrimmage yards at SMU Middlebrook totaled 14 rushes for 59 yards and caught 3 of 4 targets for 19 yards during Saturday's 23-13 defeat versus Southern Methodist.

Impact Middlebrook continues to lead the backfield, and he averaged a respectable 4.2 yards per attempt, while showing soft hands catching the ball out of the backfield, too. He has averaged 4.9 yards per rushing attempt this season, and he has two more receptions in four of the past five outings.

OCTOBER 20 • ROTOWIRE

Flirts with century mark in win Middlebrook tallied 17 carries for 95 yards and two touchdowns during Saturday's 28-25 win against Syracuse.

Impact The Hoos were in a dogfight with an upstart Syracuse side, and Middlebrook was the difference maker for the home side. His 95 yards marked a season best, and they were his most since rumbling for 106 yards in a game against Sam Houston on Nov. 22, 2025, as a member of Middle Tennessee.

OCTOBER 13 • ROTOWIRE

Middlebrook's 2 rushing TDs help Virginia overcome 10-point deficit, beat Syracuse 28-24

Jekail Middlebrook rushed for two touchdowns in the fourth quarter, and Virginia overcame a 10-point second-half deficit to beat Syracuse 28-25

OCTOBER 11 • Associated Press

Paces Virginia rushing attack Middlebrook notched 10 rushes for 65 yards and caught 2 of 5 targets for 24 yards during Saturday's 38-7 loss versus Florida State.

Impact Middlebrook was good for 6.5 yards per rushing attack, and he totaled 89 scrimmage yards in a day the Hoos had very few answers for an angry and unrelenting FSU defense. Middlebrook will look for even better results against Syracuse at Scott Stadium on Saturday night.

OCTOBER 5 • ROTOWIRE

Limited to seven touches Middlebrook totaled five rushes for 23 yards and caught all two targets for 21 yards during Saturday's 42-3 victory versus Delaware.

Impact Middlebrook saw limited work, as the game got out of hand. He and Xay Davis gave way to Xavier Brown and Noah Vaughn for a little more work than usual. Middlebrook had 4.6 yards per attempt, and he did nothing to lose his grip on the top spot on the depth chart. He should bounce back with double-digit touches at Florida State next Saturday.

SEPTEMBER 27 • ROTOWIRE

Totals two touchdowns in Charlotte Middlebrook accrued 17 carries for 75 yards and one touchdown during Saturday's 38-27 loss against West Virginia.

Impact Middlebrook was also able to add a 1-yard touchdown reception, giving him his first multi-TD game since he had a rushing touchdown and receiving score against Jacksonville State on Oct. 29, 2025, as a member of the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders. He'll look to keep up the good work against Delaware at Scott Stadium next Saturday.

SEPTEMBER 20 • ROTOWIRE

Beau Pribula dazzles in Virginia debut as Cavaliers overwhelm NC State 34-8 in season, ACC opener

Beau Pribula threw for 155 yards and two touchdowns and became the first Virginia quarterback to rush for 100 yards in a game since 2022 as the Cavaliers dominated North Carolina S...

AUGUST 29 • Associated Press

Rolls for 64 rushing yards in home opener Middlebrook notched 15 carries for 64 yards during Saturday's 34-8 victory versus North Carolina State.

Impact Middlebrook was not used in the passing game, but he was good for 4.3 yards per rushing attempt, and he was one of the key offensive players to help the Hoos to 258 rushing yards in the blowout of the Wolfpack on Saturday. Middlebrook should be front and center of the rushing attack next time out on Sept. 11 against FCS Norfolk State.

AUGUST 29 • ROTOWIRE

Projected as RB1 Middlebrook is listed as the Cavaliers' primary option at running back on their depth chart, Jacquie Franciulli of 247Sports reports.

Impact Middlebrook was expected to be RB1 going into the fall, and if the Cavaliers' updated and publicized depth chart is any indication, he will be their primary option at running back in 2026. In three years with Middle Tennessee State, he gradually improved his performance, culminating in a 2025 season that saw him log 140 rushing attempts for 752 yards and four touchdowns. What separated Middlebrook from a lot of running backs was his receiving acumen, as he finished his 2025 campaign with 40 receptions (on 65 targets) for 412 yards and three receiving TDs in addition to his rushing numbers.

AUGUST 25 • ROTOWIRE

Virginia's mission is 'handling success' after unexpected jump to 11 wins, trip to ACC title game

The mission for Virginia is “handling success” after an unexpected jump to 11 wins and a trip to the Atlantic Coast Conference championship game

AUGUST 17 • Associated Press

Runs away with RB1 role Middlebrook should be considered Virginia's RB1 for the 2026 season, according to Matt Wilson of SI.com.

Impact Middlebrook was expected to engage in a battle with Peyton Lewis for the RB1 role in the Cavaliers' backfield, but according to Wilson, Middlebrook has "run away with it." It's unclear if the gap in terms of carries will be too big, but as of now, Middlebrook should be seen as the Cavaliers' 1A in the backfield, while Lewis should be the 1B. Middlebrook racked up 1,164 scrimmage yards and seven scores at Middle Tennessee State in 2025.

AUGUST 8 • ROTOWIRE

Joining UVA Middlebrook has committed to Virginia, Matt Zenitz of CBSSports.com reports.

Impact Middlebrook racked up 1,164 scrimmage yards and seven scores at Middle Tennessee State in 2025. The versatile running back joins a Virginia backfield that is losing two of its top three running backs. The third, Noah Vaughn, should be back for 2026.

JANUARY 4 • ROTOWIRE

Plans to enter portal Middlebrook plans to enter the transfer portal, Hayes Fawcett of On3.com reports.

Impact Middlebrook, who is coming off a productive season, will be looking for a new program after a 3-9 campaign. He gained 1,164 yards from scrimmage and scored seven touchdowns this season in what was his breakout campaign. With two years of eligibility remaining he will likely be looking for a more prominent program to finish out his collegiate career.

DECEMBER 4, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Gets over 100 total yards Middlebrook ran 20 times for 95 yards and caught one pass for 12 yards against NMSU on Saturday. He also lost a fumble.

Impact If the redshirt sophomore Middlebrook and redshirt freshman Roman Gagliano return to MTSU next season, that represents hope for the program. Both provided some much-needed spark offensively. Middlebrook ended up over 700 yards rushing and 400 yards receiving, as he was a true weapon in the passing game.

NOVEMBER 29, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Plays well in return Middlebrook ran 15 times for 106 yards and had two catches for 31 yards and a score versus Sam Houston on Saturday.

Impact Middlebrook missed MTSU's last game, but he looked no worse for the wear here. He's been good on the ground, but especially good through the air. Middlebrook has 39 catches for 400 yards and three scores.

NOVEMBER 23, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Gagliano leads Middle Tennessee to first CUSA win of season, 31-17 over Bearkats

Roman Gagliano threw for a touchdown and scrambled for another to lead Middle Tennessee to a 31-17 victory over Sam Houston on Saturday for the Blue Raiders’ first Conference USA w...

NOVEMBER 23, 2025 • Associated Press

Good to go Saturday Middlebrook (undisclosed) is off the injury report ahead of Saturday's game against Sam Houston.

Impact Middlebrook will return from a one-game absence after sitting out the previous game due to an undisclosed injury. The junior running back will look to make an impact after totaling 105 carries for 552 yards and four touchdowns across nine games this year.

NOVEMBER 22, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Ruled out Saturday Middlebrook (undisclosed) is out for Saturday's game at Western Kentucky.

Impact Middlebrook has been ruled out for Saturday's contest as he deals with an undisclosed injury. He's been highly productive this season with over 900 yards from scrimmage and six touchdowns, so his contributions will be missed. DJ Taylor will likely lead the backfield in Middlebrook's absence.

NOVEMBER 15, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

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GAME LOG

Duke uses trick-play TD pass from Nate Sheppard to pull out 19-16 victory over Virginia

Middlebrook's 2 rushing TDs help Virginia overcome 10-point deficit, beat Syracuse 28-24

Beau Pribula dazzles in Virginia debut as Cavaliers overwhelm NC State 34-8 in season, ACC opener

Virginia's mission is 'handling success' after unexpected jump to 11 wins, trip to ACC title game

Gagliano leads Middle Tennessee to first CUSA win of season, 31-17 over Bearkats