How Does Rich Rodriguez Feel About Idea of Multi-QB System at WVU?

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – With so much focus on WVU’s quarterback competition, Rich Rodriguez gave a very interesting answer about his philosophy that could be good news for both Nicco Marchiol and Jaylen Henderson.

Rodriguez seems open to the idea of giving both quarterbacks time throughout the upcoming 2025 season. So instead of a typical QB1 and QB2 situation, it could be possible Marchiol and Henderson, the two quarterbacks believed to be battling for the starting job, are more of 1A and 1B.

“Some coaches say if you have two, you have none; if you have three, you have none. I don’t believe that I say if you’re good enough to win, just play with them, that’s for any position including quarterback,” said Rodriguez.

To clarify, this doesn’t mean they will share equal time or rotate every other series, but that the backup could play far more often than just in the FCS game or if the game is decided. Maybe specific packages would be designed to use frequently for the backup.

Rodriguez has continuously emphasized that he will try to get any player good enough to help the team on the field as much as possible. Even though there can only be one starting quarterback, that mentality doesn’t exclude his quarterbacks, especially since he’s confident in his system and the group as a whole.

Rodriguez believes his system is “quarterback centric” and he’s intentionally made it “freshman proof” and easy to learn. He’s done this intentionally in case he loses a player to the transfer portal or an injury.

“The progress of the quarterbacks has been good to see; we have three quarterbacks who have started division one football games, and then we have a couple of talented freshmen. I think that room has shown some really good progress,” said Rodriguez as his early evaluation of the quarterback position.

While fully acknowledging the work ahead, Rodriguez likes what he’s seeing effort wise.

“I think the mentality we have in that room, there are some really competitive guys, and they’re going to want to show that they can do both in practice and in the game.”

For a related story, Rich Rodriguez explained why his son Rhett and Pat White were the “right” hires for WVU.