East Carolina transfer Kurt Benkert will take the first snap under center for Virginia this season. Head coach Bronco Mendenhall announced Benkert as the starter on Wednesday:
ECU transfer @kurtbenkert named Hoos starting QB by @uvacoachbronco. UVA opens season Sept 3 vs Richmond. #HoosRising
— Virginia Football (@UVAFootball) August 24, 2016
Benkert, who is a junior, joined UVA’s program as a graduate transfer after the spring. After redshirting the 2013 season, he completed eight of 10 passes for 58 yards and rushed five times for 23 yards for the Pirates in 2014. He was in line to start going into last fall before a knee injury caused him to miss the entire season.
Benkert beat out last year’s starter Matt Johns and senior Connor Brewer for the Cavaliers’ starting job.