Tony Elliott goes in-depth on what stands out about transfer QB Tony Muskett

Virginia will attempt to turn the page following its three-win 2022 season. Cavaliers head coach Tony Elliott went into the transfer portal to find their newest QB in Tony Muskett, who Elliott is expecting big things from in 2023.

“The thing about Tony Muskett is from day one, you saw his confidence. It’s not a cockiness. It’s not an arrogance, but it’s a confidence,” Elliott said of his new QB at ACC media day. “From day one he wasn’t afraid to go into the locker room and say, ‘You know what, fellas, I’m here to compete. I’m going to do it the right way. I have tremendous amount of respect for everybody in here, but this is the way that I lead.’ It quickly galvanized the guys.”

Muskett started the first eight games at quarterback for the Cavaliers this season. He threw for 1,997 yards and 17 touchdowns. Muskett also threw eight interceptions on the season. Muskett was ranked No. 240 overall in the 2023 On3 Transfer Portal Recruiting Rankings prior to his commitment to the Cavaliers.

Muskett joins the Virginia program to replace Brennan Armstrong, who transferred to conference foe NC State. Armstrong threw for 2,210 yards, seven touchdowns and 12 interceptions this season. Looking to replace that production and more, Elliott expects to be able to plug-and-play the veteran transfer quarterback immediately.

“When you go back and you watch him on film, he was very productive at Monmouth. He led his team the way that he needed to lead to be successful,” Elliott said. “You watch him throw the ball in adverse conditions, and you see that the accuracy is there. That’s always a challenge when you are evaluating because you do a lot of evaluation on tape, especially when you are dealing with the transfer portal.

“When [I] got to see him in spring practice, it’s like, okay, now. He does throw an accurate ball — a very catchable ball.”

From there, Elliott said that his QB has simply been himself and it has gotten his teammates to follow him with his natural charisma. Muskett is a team-first player, according to his coach, but he has every other quality you need out of a team leader at the quarterback position.

“He just has that “it” factor. It’s hard to describe,” Elliott said. “When you talk about quarterbacks, you can’t coach it, right, but you know it when you see it, and he just has that presence about him. I think his teammates will attest to that.”