RJ Kocan Another Kicking Battle Candidate | WVU Football All 105

All 105 is a West Virginia Sports Now series profiling each member of the 2025 WVU Football Roster.

RJ Kocan committed to WVU Football out of St. John The Baptist Diocesan High on Long Island. There, he earned First Team All-State and special teams player of the year awards thanks to his steady kicking, displaying both accuracy and range with a 97 percent field goal rate and an 86 percent touchback rate.

Kocan appeared in three games for the Mountaineers in 2024, perhaps indicating him as the expected successor to former West Virginia kicker Michael Hayes II. However, the Mountaineers coaching staff brought in transfer kicker Kade Hensley through the transfer portal following the spring practice period, suggesting that none of the kickers already on the roster managed to establish themselves.

42 • RJ Kocan, redshirt junior kicker

Last year: Kocan appeared in three games behind veteran Mountaineers kicker Michael Hayes II.

Stats: One extra point made against Albany in addition to limited kickoff duties in 2024.

Camp outlook: None of the Mountaineers kicking options managed to win the starting job during spring camp, leading the coaching staff to pick up veteran Kade Hensley through the transfer portal.

Projected role: Expect Kocan to serve as a backup once again in 2025, perhaps preparing for a breakout senior season. His usage in 2024 could indicate a path toward the starting job, as backup kickers typically don’t receive any playing time unless an injury occurs.

Accolades, highlights: Kocan earned a First Team All-State (New York) selection as a senior in high school, making 97 percent of his field goals attempts.