Even as he rehabs, Xavier Brown remains a team leader for the Cavaliers

Much has been written and said about Kam Robinson's rehabilitation from an ACL tear that prematurely ended his 2025 season and has limited his preparation for 2026. But he's not the only Cavalier bidding to return from that devastating injury.

Four weeks before Robinson went down against Duke, running back Xavier Brown suffered a torn ACL in Virginia's 22-20 win over Washington State in October. It ended what had been a productive senior season to that point and gave Harrison Waylee more carries as the primary backup to J'Mari Taylor for the rest of the season.

As with Robinson, Virginia's coaches have been cautious with Brown during training camp, limiting his participation. But they have marveled at his leadership role, even if he's not yet at full speed physically.

"He's helped us every year," head coach Tony Elliott said early in camp. "We're not here without old X-Brown and so he's out there in limited situations, still protecting him. He's not quite fully just turned loose yet, but he can pretty much do most all of the segments.

"It's just the stuff when we're going good on good. We're just not putting them in that line of fire yet. Later in camp, we will. But absolutely, he can help us."

Since Elliott spoke, Brown has increased his workload. He's still technically behind transfers Jekail Middlebrook and Peyton Lewis in the battle for the starting running back job, but he hopes to start the season in the rotation and pick up carries as he regains his speed and cutting ability.

And even if he doesn't, he's already proven his value to a program that's looking for consistency.

"Mentally, he's in great shape. It's just the body getting in shape and getting the strength back, and more about the confidence," running backs coach Keith Gaither said this week.

"But the thing I'm more proud of for him, [he's] been a great leader. That's what you're expecting 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. So I'm very happy for him. And he is also competitve; he's an ultra competitor."

After averaging 6.1 yards on 80 carries as a junior and scoring three touchdowns (one rushing, two receiving), Brown was projected as a fourth-team preseason All-ACC pick last summer. He got off to a good start in 2025, catching a touchdown pass and running for 60 yards on nine carries in the Cavaliers' double-overtime win over Florida State.

Then came the injury, and the surgery, and the rehab, but even when he couldn't run, Brown served as a role model for his teammates with his work ethic and positive attitude.

Gaither, who also coordinates Virginia's special teams, plans to use Brown both in the backfield and possibly as a return man this fall. The Cavaliers' backfield depth means he may not get as many touches as in years past, but he's walking proof that a team's leaders aren't always the players with the most impressive statistics.

"He's still going to be a core special teams guy, because that's our culture," Gaither said of Brown. "Our best players have to play. And when our best players are providing playmaking on special teams, then it just leads the way for the younger guys."

Added Elliott: "I think his skill set is better served when you have him in the position to do the things that he's best at doing, and not asking him to have to do everything, right? I think it takes a little bit of wear and tear off of his body, so that he can really excel at the things that he that he does well, and that's why it's important for us to have to. And then, worst case scenario, if need be, he's also prepared to go in there and do whatever the team asks of him."

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