Metcalf chomping at the bit to get on the field for UVa this fall

Graduate offensive lineman Drake Metcalf first arrived at Virginia in 2024, but has yet to make his debut for the Hoos. Metcalf, a transfer who spent time at UCF (2023) and Stanford (2020-22), tore his achilles last spring and missed the entire year.

Now, the 6-foot-2, 300 pounder is excited to be back in the mix.

The injury was a brutal blow for Metcalf. During his then-short time in Charlottesville, he had reunited with offensive line coach Terry Heffernan, who had previously coached Metcalf while in the same role at Stanford from 2021-22, and formed a close bond with his new teammates.

“I’ve never been with a closer offensive line,” he recalled, “so going through that first spring here with them, before injuring myself, was just like, I was so amped up and excited to get after it.”

While he said the injury was tough on him, Metcalf said the experience taught him a lot about himself and made him realize “you can’t take anything for granted.” 

During his recovery process, he journaled, explored his interest in philosophy and leaned on his faith. 

“It’s hard to really pinpoint which day was the worst,” he said, “but there were some days, there were highs and there were lows. But the highs, when they were there, they made it all worthwhile, and finally getting to step on this field again with the offensive line here has just, it’s been amazing.”

Metcalf has rejoined a group that he described as simply “fun,” with a mix of players from all across the country, including Metcalf from California, senior McKale Boley from Hattiesburg (MS), and graduate David Wohlabaugh from Stow (OH) among others from both in and outside of Virginia. Metcalf described the group like a “melting pot,” with each player bringing their own values, perspectives and techniques to the line.

“It’s just all sorts of different guys that just have come together,” he said, “and this is one of my favorite offensive lines that I’ve been a part of. I just, I love the troop that we have right now.”

While the competition this season has only gotten tougher, Metcalf called it “amazing,” given the importance of depth on the line.

“It’s a violent position,” he said. “You’re going to have guys go down. You’re going to have guys step up, and I think just having the amount of guys we have in our room that are so good, have come from excellent programs in the past and now they’re here at UVa, it’s amazing right now to be able to compete against these guys, to be able to bring out the best in all of us.”

With the season opener against Coastal Carolina just under three weeks away, early indications point to Metcalf as a potential starter, with him lining up at right guard with the first team during last Saturday’s scrimmage. Metcalf started four games and appeared in two more for UCF in 2023. He made 13 appearances across his redshirt freshman and sophomore seasons at Stanford.

Now, it looks like he’ll finally take the field again, this time for the Hoos. Metcalf said it’s the culmination of his journey so far, and expressed excitement over finally getting to line up against a defender again.

“It’s kind of like a crock pot,” he said. “It’s just simmering right now on low, and it’s getting warmer and warmer, and we’re getting closer and closer, and I’m just so thrilled and ecstatic to be able to get out there and get to beat up on the defensive lineman across from me.”