Rich Rodriguez Pinpoints Key Offensive Players Essential for Success

Often hesitant to call out players by name, Rich Rodriguez pinpoints the key offensive weapons who will help decide how much success the Mountaineers can enjoy in 2026.

As part of a recent interview with ESPN’s Pete Thamel, Rodriguez discussed what makes running back Cam Cook, veteran wide receiver Jaden Bray, transfer addition Prince Strachan and star freshman offensive lineman Kevin Brown special.

“[Jaden] Bray would have probably been our most dependable receiver last year, got hurt in the second game. Prince [Strachan] is a guy who’s done it at that level and when he’s healthy, he’s a good player there. Cam Cook was the most productive … and has proven himself on that level and in the Big 12 before. So that part was really good. As I mentioned, a couple of linemen that we brought in were starters at the Group of 5 level. I’m talking about 33-game starters. So they played a lot of football. So we’re older and more experienced in a lot of areas, but also have some young guys I think can be like Kevin Brown on the offensive line. We signed him. He’s a true freshman, but he doesn’t look like one. His dad played for me and we kind of got him to flip at the last minute with all the stuff that’s going on at Penn State. He’s got a shot to start as a true freshman, which is rare, but he’s a rare guy. So we look a lot more athletic, but we also look like we’ve got a lot more competition at a lot of positions.”

WVU freshman offensive lineman Kevin Brown during the scrimmage part of the Gold-Blue Spring Festival. (WVSN photo by Kelsie LeRose)

And each player mentioned will be essential to the WVU offense. Cook, coming in as a transfer after leading the nation in rushing last season, will be the clear featured back.

Bray, who has endured season-ending injuries early in his first two seasons as a Mountaineer, could be a reliable option who has the size to win most one-on-one battles and gain yards after the catch.

Brown, the four-star headliner of the 2026 class, has the size and strength of a lineman destined for the NFL. And Strachan could become the playmaker and big-play threat essential for the passing game.

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