Neal Brown Evaluates Battling WVU QBs Garrett Greene and Nicco Marchiol

MORGANTOWN, W.Va – There are several questions that need answered for WVU before the season gets underway, but nothing else even comes close to reaching the importance of the starting quarterback competition.

Head coach Neal Brown has continuously made it clear he’s not going to make a decision on his starting quarterback until much closer to the season, but he is now ready to begin offering his evaluation of where both Garrett Greene and Nicco Marchiol are at this point. Brown spoke honestly about the positives and negatives he’s seen from both quarterbacks during practices so far this Spring.

“There’s some high points. They do some of the same things well but they are different. Nicco is more of a strong runner. Garrett is a fast runner. I’m excited about what both of them can do,” said Brown.

He brought up Greene and Marchiol each offering major upside potential and showing flashes of brilliance at times, but that they also need to clean up some bad mistakes. Brown explained these mistakes, some that have led to turnovers when working against the defense, are likely due to their inexperience at the college level. Prior to talking about the quarterbacks, Brown expressed being the most satisfied in how the overall offense performed while practicing red zone situations.

WVU HC Neal Brown says both Garrett Greene and Nicco Marchiol have had moments where they’ve looked really good but they have also made some mistakes that need cleaned up.

— Mike J. Asti (@MikeAsti11) April 6, 2023

Regardless how either plays throughout the offseason, Brown will not waver from his plan to incorporate a long game approach to his quarterback battle. He once again hammered his mentality home when asked if either of them can do anything to separate themselves in the remaining weeks of Spring ball.

“Even if one of them goes on a hot streak for a week, we aren’t going to make our decision. It’s going to go through summer and fall camp..they are up and down as far as competition but it’s going to be a long approach,” Brown responded.

Most who cover and follow the program closely do feel Greene has the edge, but Brown is making sure to not tip in his in that regard just yet.

A few weeks ago offensive coordinator Chad Scott talked about knowing the Mountaineers will have a dual threat under center no matter who ends up winning the starting job.

WVU OC Chad Scott Excited About Idea of Dual Threat QB Leading Mountaineers

As far as the other quarterbacks on the WVU roster, Brown said it’s too early in their development for him to comment. He, however, mention that 2023 recruit Sean Boyle appears to be more athletic than he expected and that’s a big plus since West Virginia’s current offense is vastly different than what he ran in high school.