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Virginia's Heisman Hope: Pribula & Lewis' Long Shot
27 Jun
Summary
- No Virginia player has ever won the Heisman Trophy.
- Beau Pribula and Peyton Lewis are UVA's top 2026 contenders.
- Quarterback and running back are the most common Heisman positions.
The Heisman Trophy, college football's most prestigious individual award, has eluded the University of Virginia. Despite past strong showings from players like Shawn Moore and Chris Long, no Cavalier has ever claimed the honor. For the upcoming 2026 season, quarterback Beau Pribula and running back Peyton Lewis are identified as the most plausible contenders.
Historically, quarterbacks and running backs have been the most frequent recipients of the Heisman. Pribula, a quarterback, would likely need an undefeated season and an ACC Championship, coupled with exceptional dual-threat statistics, to even enter the conversation. The last ACC player to win was Lamar Jackson in 2016.
Lewis faces an even steeper climb. As a running back, he must overcome the fact that no player at that position has won since Derrick Henry in 2015. Lewis would need to vastly outperform past standout backs like J'Mari Taylor and rely on a strong offensive line. Despite the challenges, the possibility, however slim, remains for a Virginia player to contend for college football's highest individual accolade.
