Rich Rodriguez Updates WVU’s QB Competition, Emphasizes Depth of Position

Rich Rodriguez is still far from ready to name a starting quarterback, but he was at least willing to offer an update at Big 12 Media Days.

When talking about his most important position, one he’s found success coaching throughout his career, Rodriguez emphasized his confidence in the entire room.

“That’s probably the room I’m least worried about from an athleticism and talent standpoint. I hope I can win with all three of them,” said West Virginia’s head coach on Wednesday while talking on ESPN.

WVU HC Rich Rodriguez on his QB room at Big 12 Media Days:

"That’s probably the room I’m least worried about from an athleticism and talent standpoint. I hope I can win with all three of them."

— Mike J. Asti (@MikeAsti11) July 9, 2025

With Nicco Marchiol and Jaylen Henderson battling it out to be the starter, Rodriguez’s most recent comments harken back to something he said during the spring practice period. Already believing in the depth of the position back then, which also includes Charlotte transfer Max Brown and other recruits, Rodriguez mentioned the idea of playing multiple quarterbacks.

“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.

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.

WVU quarterbacks Nicco Marchiol and Jaylen Henderson lead the team on the field before the 2025 Spring Showcase. (WVSN photo by Kelsie LeRose)

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.”

Find more coverage of Rich Rodriguez and the WVU football program at WV Sports Now.