WVU Football Complete 2025 Roster

WVU Football enters the 2025 season with head coach Rich Rodriguez at the helm for the first time since the 2007 season, one that saw the Mountaineers finish within a hair of a BCS National Championship Game appearance.

Despite Rodriguez’s return — and renewed excitement for football among the Mountaineers’ faithful after the team stagnated under former head coach Neal Brown — oddsmakers expect West Virginia to finish the season toward the bottom of the Big 12 with a losing record.

Even with a roster in flux following the head coaching change, the Mountaineers managed to retain two key offensive contributors, running back Jahiem White and quarterback Nicco Marchiol. White racked up more than 900 yards in each of his first two seasons in Morgantown despite splitting carries with CJ Donaldson. In contrast, Marchiol saw significant action in 2023 and 2024 as a result of injuries to former starting quarterback Garrett Greene.

While in a quarterback competition with transfer Jaylen Henderson, the expectation is for Marchiol to start the season under center. That said, Rodriguez has made it clear that won’t be announced until after fall camp.

If the Mountaineers manage to subvert expectations this coming season, White will likely play a major role and take his game to another level in Rodriguez’s system.

Other Mountaineers who will be relied on this season include wide receivers Cam Vaughn and Rodney Gallagher, tight end Grayson Barnes, linebacker Reid Carrico, safety Fred Perry and cornerback Jordan Scruggs among others.

After an offseason of change, here’s a look at the Mountaineers’ roster heading into the 2025 season.

WVU Football Roster

Malik Agbo / Redshirt Junior / Offensive Line / 6-foot-4 / 270 pounds / Federal Way, Wash. / No. 65

Playing for the University of Texas during his first three college seasons, Agbo primarily served as a tight end in jumbo sets, adding another big body up front to pave holes in the running game. Because Agbo checked in as the eligible receiver during those plays, the potential remains for the Mountaineers to use him as a trick play target during goal line or short yardage situations.

Click here to learn more about Malik Agbo.

Josh Aisosa / Redshirt Freshman / Offensive Line / 6-foot-4 /270 pounds / McKinney, Tex. / No. 59

Josh Aisosa is a relative newcomer to the gridiron. The 6-foot-4, 270 pound redshirt freshman began his football career as a high school sophomore in 2021, but that didn’t stop him from earning a three-star rating as a recruit, ranking as the No. 52 interior lineman in the country for the class of 2024 per On3.

Aisosa also wrestled in high school, a two-sport combination that could help him on the gridiron because of the focus on techniques regarding body control, grappling and weight transfer.

Click here to learn more about Josh Aisosa.

Max Anderson / Freshman / Quarterback / 6-foot-0 / 208 pounds / Martinsburg, W. Va. / No. 19

Standing six feet tall and tipping the scale at 208 pounds, Anderson is a dual threat quarterback who threw for 16 touchdowns to just three interceptions as a senior. He also contributed on the defensive side of the ball and scored 11 rushing touchdowns, racking up an otherworldly 11.7 yards per carry.

Anderson’s versatility fits the prototype for a quarterback in a Rich Rodriguez-coached offense, even if it takes him a year or two to earn playing time.

Click here to learn more about Max Anderson.

Clay Ash / Sophomore / Running Back / 5-foot-9 / 196 pounds / Leesburg, Va. / No. 27

Some walk-ons struggle to get on the field, but they can also provide roster flexibility for coaches looking to preserve the eligibility of highly-ranked young athletes. Ash appeared in nine games as a true freshman and appears to have maintained a role for himself despite the Mountaineers’ coaching change.

He put on a strong showing during the Mountaineers’ 2025 spring practice period, earning the Tommy Nickolich Memorial Award as the team’s top walk-on player.

Click here to learn more about Clay Ash.

Grayson Barnes / Senior / Tight End / 6-foot-4 / 222 pounds / Rocklin, Calif. / No. 80

Grayson began his career as a wide receiver, but converted to tight end during the 2024 season. A 6-foot-4, 222 pound target, Barnes amassed 338 yards and four touchdowns on 31 catches last season. Playing at receiver in 2023, Barnes hauled in 23 passes for 422 yards as a big play threat. While those numbers might not leap off the page, the Huskies’ offense ran through the ground game: Barnes accounted for close to 16 percent of their passing yardage over the past two seasons.

He also landed on SportsCenter for a touchdown snag in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl, a demonstration of catch radius that would make Randy Moss proud.

Click here to learn more about Grayson Barnes.

Jacob Barrick / Senior / Tight End / 6-foot-3 / 231 pounds / Martinsburg, W. Va. / No. 81

A native of Martinsburg, W. Va., senior tight end Jacob Barrick spent his first three college seasons playing for new Mountaineers head coach Rich Rodriguez at Jacksonville State. Barrick, who stands 6-foot-3 and weighs 231 pounds, followed Rodriguez to Morgantown this offseason, giving him a chance to suit up for his home state during his final season of eligibility.

With star tailback Jahiem White in the fold, Barrick’s ability to open up holes in the ground game could prove invaluable for the Mountaineers in 2025.

Click here to learn more about Jacob Barrick.

Xavier Bausley / Redshirt Junior / Offensive Line / 6-foot-4 / 310 pounds / Dunbar, W. Va. / No. 78

Bausley began his college career at Jackson State and chose to return home to West Virginia — he’s a native of Dunbar, W.Va. and attended South Charleston High School — in 2024, making the jump to a Power Four program after a 2023 season that saw him earn freshman All-American honors.

Bausley earned that selection by paving the way for a Gamecocks rushing attack that ranked No. 3 in the nation. After making 11 starts at Jacksonville State, Bausley worked his way into the Mountaineers lineup as a swing tackle in 2024. At 6-foot-4 and 310 pounds, he possesses the bulk needed to play his position and could end up in line for a larger share of playing time as he continues to develop.

Click here to learn more about Xavier Bausley.

Jayden Bell / Redshirt Sophomore / Cornerback / 5-foot-10 / 158 pounds / Fort Lauderdale, Fla. / No. 37

Jayden Bell enrolled at West Virginia as a preferred walk-on (PWO) in 2023, a legacy Mountaineer whose father, Grantis, suited up as a wide receiver in Morgantown during the 1980s: his first season overlapped with Rich Rodriguez’s last as a player.

A cornerback with three years of eligibility remaining, Bell made it through the spring practice period, which saw a number of players cut as Rich Rodriguez trimmed down the roster to comply with the NCAA’s 105 man limit. Even though he hasn’t made it on the field yet in a West Virginia uniform, that speaks to his value for the Mountaineers.

Click here to read more about Jayden Bell.

Trevor Bigelow / Freshman / Offensive Line / 6-foot-4 / 267 pounds / Fairmont, W. Va. / No. 61

Fairmont has turned into a pipeline to WVU Football on the offensive line in particular, with Steelers center Zach Frazier and brothers Darius and Dante Stills both playing there in high school. Can Trevor Bigelow continue that legacy?

A 6-foot-4, 267 pound offensive tackle, he’ll likely take a redshirt year to build up his weight in preparation for the rigors of the college game, much like many linemen do. The Mountaineers have had an eye on Bigelow since June 2024, hosting him at an offseason training camp under the Neal Brown regime.

Click here to learn more about Trevor Bigelow.

Caden Biser / Redshirt Senior / Linebacker / 6-foot-0 / 230 pounds / Keyser, W. Va. / No. 36

Caden Biser joined the Mountaineers as a preferred walk-on ahead of the 2021 season, going on to earn a full scholarship in 2023 after establishing himself as a consistent contributor able to do the dirty work on special teams.

When taking defensive snaps, Biser plays mike linebacker, able to call the shots and captain the defense… a leadership role that makes sense given his ‘coach’s son’ status.

Click here to learn more about Caden Biser.

Jackson Biser / Redshirt Junior / Defensive Line / 6-foot-2 / 243 pounds / Keyser, W. Va. / No. 59

Jackson Biser began his college career during the 2020 season with Frostburg State, working his way onto the field for two games the following season. Since then, he hasn’t set foot on the field. Arriving in Morgantown via the transfer portal in 2024, Biser now has a chance to overcome the odds and turn his early struggles into success.

He’s the son of Sean Biser, who played at West Virginia in the early 1990s and went on to coach Jackson and his siblings in high school. A consistent All-Academic Team and Dean’s List honoree at each stop of his college career, Biser could help serve his team as a leader no matter his role on the field.

Click here to learn more about Jackson Biser.

Ben Bogle / Redshirt Junior / Linebacker / 6-foot-1 / 216 pounds / Ponte Vedra, Fla. / No. 32

Redshirt junior linebacker Ben Bogle is a tackling machine who transferred to the Mountaineers after spending his first three seasons at Southern Illinois. He earned an honorable mention to the Associated Press FCS All-America team last season after racking up 87 tackles (16.5 for loss) along with two interceptions and 5.5 sacks.

Now, Bogle will receive a chance to test his skills in the Big 12. At 6-foot-1 and 216 pounds, he’s a prototypical middle linebacker with a nose for the ball carrier. That hasn’t changed since high school, when he ranked No. 15 nationally as a senior with a whopping 202 tackles, leading the football-crazy state of Florida in the category.

Click here to learn more about Ben Bogle.

ChaMarryus Bomar / Freshman / Cornerback / 5-foot-10 / 177 pounds / Duncan, S.C. / No. 27

Billed as a three-star recruit out of high school, freshman defensive back Cha’Marryus Bomar earned an ‘ATH’ label in recruiting because of his potential to play on both sides of the ball.

WVU Football signed him at defensive back, putting that debate to rest, but his skill with the ball in his hands remains evident. Bomar scored four return touchdowns as a senior, two off of interceptions and one apiece on punt and kick returns… and that’s not even the tip of the iceberg.

Click here to learn more about ChaMarryus Boman.

Cyncir Bowers / Sophomore / Running Back / 5-foot-10 / 191 pounds / Harrisburg, Pa. / No. 23

A 5-foot-10, 191 pound back, Bowers racked up more than 1,300 offensive yards during his freshman season and added nearly 500 more on special teams. Even at the junior college level, that performance put him on the map for Power Four programs: he also received an offer from Florida State.

Clocked as running a blazing 4.35 second 40-yard dash, Bowers could headline the Mountaineers’ kick and punt return teams or even earn backup snaps behind presumptive starting tailback Jahiem White.

Click here to learn more about Cyncir Bowers.

Jarod Bowie / Redshirt Senior / Wide Receiver / 5-foot-9 / 162 pounds / Martinsburg, W. Va. / No. 7

Jarod Bowie grew up in West Virginia, winning the 2019 AAA state championship at Martinsburg High School.

He then represented the Mountain State for three seasons at the D-II level, suiting up for West Virginia Wesleyan and Concord. Bowie’s performance at Concord, where he earned a D-II All-American nod and racked up more than 1,800 receiving yards, helped him pick up a Division I offer with Rich Rodriguez at Jacksonville State in 2023.

Click here to learn more about Jarod Bowie.

Phillip Bowser / Freshman / Offensive Line / 6-foot-4 / 273 pounds / Youngstown, Ohio / No. 62

Phillip Bowser earned a three-star ranking in high school, receiving offers from close to two dozen other college programs — UCF and Ohio State among them — before settling on WVU Football.

A 6-foot-4, 273 pound offensive tackle, Bowser joins an offensive line group needing to replace all five starters from last season. He received his offer from head coach Rich Rodriguez rather than offensive line coach Jack Bicknell Jr., which indicates the level of regard the Mountaineers held for him as a prospect.

Click here to learn more about Phillip Bowser.

Israel Boyce / Sophomore / Safety / 5-foot-11 / 190 pounds / Douglasville, Ga. / No. 7

A January 2024 enrollee for WVU Football, sophomore safety Israel Boyce managed to get on the field for eight games during his first college season, racking up 11 solo tackles on the year: six of them against Texas Tech.

Boyce attended Georgia’s Douglas County High School, where he earned a three-star rating as a recruit in addition to first team all-state honors. After proving he belonged on a Power Four football field as a true freshman (even in limited snaps), the 5-foot-11, 190 pound Boyce looks like an excellent bet for an increased role as he continues to develop.

Click here to learn more about Israel Boyce.

Noah Braham / Redshirt Sophomore / Tight End / 6-foot-3 / 243 pounds / Morgantown, W. Va. / No. 36

The son of a WVU Football Hall of Famer, Noah Braham is a redshirt sophomore tight end who grew up in Morgantown and began to work his way on the field last season.

His father, Rich Braham, played for the Mountaineers from 1990 to 1993, earning a third round selection in the NFL Draft. He then went on to start 142 games over the course of a 13 year career with the Cincinnati Bengals.

Noah Braham, for his part, earned a three-star rating as a recruit despite dealing with an ankle injury that nearly derailed his junior and senior seasons at Morgantown’s University High. After taking a redshirt year in 2023, Braham appeared in two games for the Mountaineers last season, serving as a depth piece at tight end.

Click here to learn more about Noah Braham.

Jaden Bray / Redshirt Senior / Wide Receiver / 6-foot-2 / 205 pounds / Norman, Okla. / No. 5

Jaden Bray transferred to WVU Football in January 2024 after spending his first three college seasons with Big 12 foe Oklahoma State.

With 774 yards across parts of four seasons, Bray projects as a reserve at wide receiver, but his ability to break loose for a big play makes the 6-foot-2, 205 pound target a player worth watching. Injuries have also limited his production, as he missed most of the 2022 season with the Cowboys on the way to a redshirt year.

Bray could also help WVU Football as a veteran leader. When the Mountaineers struggled in 2024, he gave an insightful answer on how he helped his teammates remain focused.

Click here to learn more about Jaden Bray.

Max Brown / Redshirt Junior / Quarterback / 6-foot-2 / 223 pounds / Tulsa, Okla. / No. 6

A redshirt junior with playing experience at both Florida and Charlotte, Max Brown transferred to the Mountaineers in January to provide another arm in their quarterback battle.

While Jaylen Henderson and Nicco Marchiol appeared to gain a leg up in the chase to become West Virginia’s 2025 starter, the 6-foot-2, 223 pound Brown could still see snaps as a reserve. That’s because Henderson and Marchiol are dual threat quarterbacks with a history of injuries, so Brown might get thrust into the limelight (or help take the fire off players higher on the depth chart during lopsided contests).

Click here to learn more about Max Brown.

Taylor Brown / Freshman / Defensive Line / 6-foot-3 / 275 pounds / Upper Marlboro, Md. / No. 51/53

Defensive lineman and four-star recruit Taylor Brown committed to the Mountaineers in June 2024, but the team managed to retain him through the transition from Neal Brown to new head coach Rich Rodriguez.

Brown’s high school highlights show him lining up at 3-technique on the interior line, but that could change in college based on his size, speed and the Mountaineers’ scheme. At 6-foot-3 and 260 pounds, Brown could stand to add some bulk in order to face off against Division I guards.

A redshirt year might prepare him best for the rigors of the college game, but summer practices will give a better idea of the Mountaineers’ plans for Brown.

Click here to learn more about Taylor Brown.

Ayden Bussell / Redshirt Sophomore / Offensive Line / 6-foot-5 / 309 pounds / Mount Juliet, Tenn. / No. 66

UPDATE: Ayden Bussell decided to step away from the Mountaineers in early August in order to focus on his health.

Redshirt sophomore offensive lineman Ayden Bussell transferred to West Virginia from Tennessee following the Volunteers’ spring practice period. After working his way onto the field as a reserve last season for a team that made the College Football Playoff, Bussell could earn a bigger role for himself in 2025.

Even with an open competition on the offensive line as the Mountaineers look to overhaul the position group, Bussell will need to beat out a series of older transfers. To his credit, Bussell has experience at both tackle and guard, which could open up more options for him on the field.

Click here to learn more about Ayden Bussell.

Brandon Caesar / Freshman / Defensive Line / 6-foot-4 / 260 pounds / Cleveland, Ohio / No. 98

Although Brandon Caesar missed his entire senior season due to injury, he still managed to earn a 3-star ranking as a recruit.

At 6-foot-4 and 260 pounds, Caesar suited up at defensive end in high school. He also starred as a wrestler, a combination that works well with the demands of playing on either side of the line: for an example, look at WVU Football legend Zach Frazier. Caesar enrolled at West Virginia in January, giving him a head start in preparation for the college game, and put on a show in the Mountaineers’ spring game.

Even if he spends the 2025 season focusing on his development, Caesar’s early results should have Mountaineers fans excited to see what he can do on the field.

Click here to learn more about Brandon Caesar.

Reid Carrico / Redshirt Senior / Linebacker / 6-foot-2 / 229 pounds / Ironton, Ohio / No. 35

Redshirt senior linebacker Reid Carrico transferred from Ohio State to West Virginia ahead of the 2024 season. Receiving a first hand glimpse of the free-for-all nature of the transfer portal during that time, Carrico decided to stay put following Neal Brown’s firing.

After spending most of his time on special teams across three seasons with the Buckeyes, Carrico’s playing time ticked up as his 2024 season with West Virginia went on, showing that he can succeed in an increased role. The 6-foot-2, 229 pound middle linebacker can also provide a veteran voice and stable presence on a team that has endured seismic change.

Click here to learn more about Reid Carrico.

Derek Carter Jr. / Redshirt Senior / Cornerback / 5-foot-10 / 181 pounds / Birmingham, Ala. / No. 13

Derek Carter Jr. spent the first four years of his college career at Jacksonville State, suiting up at cornerback for head coach Rich Rodriguez for the last three years. Carter followed Rodriguez to West Virginia and now the Mountaineers list the 5-foot-10, 181 pound defensive back as a safety.

That could indicate an adjustment to the speed of the Power Four game — the cornerback position typically needs more raw athleticism than safety does — or it could cater to the demands of the Mountaineers’ roster. After coaching him for the past three seasons, Rodriguez should have a pretty good idea of how to best deploy Carter’s talents.

Click here to learn more about Derek Carter Jr.

Jason Chambers / Senior / Cornerback / 5-foot-11 / 193 pounds / Charlotte, N.C. / No. 23

Jason Chambers is one of a series of new Mountaineers who followed a coach to West Virginia. Unlike most of the rest, however, he followed cornerbacks coach Rod West rather than head coach Rich Rodriguez.

Chambers, a senior cornerback, played 11 games at Appalachian State in 2024, recording 38 tackles, 0.5 tackles for loss, a pass breakup and an interception. Pro Football Focus graded the 5-foot-11, 193 pound Chambers as one of the top five cornerbacks in the Sun Belt for his efforts. Prior to his success with North Carolina’s Mountaineers, Chambers spent two seasons at North Carolina Central, earning First Team All-HBCU honors in 2023.

WVU Football had one of the worst pass defenses in the country last season, so transfers like Chambers could play a major role in overhauling the unit in 2025.

Click here to learn more about Jason Chambers.

Mickel Clay / Senior / Offensive Line / 6-foot-5 / 278 pounds / Cincinnati, Ohio / No. 79

Senior offensive tackle Mickel Clay transferred to WVU Football at the end of the spring practice period, a late start that could put him at a disadvantage in any position group battle. A versatile athlete who played wide receiver and ran track in high school in spite of his burly frame, Clay began his college career with DuPage, a community college in Illinois.

He then transferred to North Alabama, where he managed to carve out a starting role in his third season. Now, Clay will test his talents at the Power Four level during his final college season, looking to help a position group that dealt with plenty of turnover during the offseason.

Click here to learn more about Mickel Clay.

Michael Coats Jr. / Senior / Cornerback / 5-foot-10 / 180 pounds / Louisville, Miss. / No. 3

An early recruiting win for Rich Rodriguez and his staff, Michael Coats Jr. had visits to West Virginia and Ole Miss scheduled in early January. After visiting Morgantown, however, Coats knew he was home, committing to WVU Football before checking out his other options.

A 5-foot-10, 180 pound cornerback who snagged four interceptions and broke up another 17 passes in 2024, Coats solidified himself as one of the top transfers on the market. He began his college career with three JUCO seasons before transferring to Nevada in 2022, and will retain a year of eligibility thanks to a new NCAA rule designed to help former junior college athletes get a chance at the upper echelons of the sport.

Click here to learn more about Michael Coats Jr.

Ty’Kieast Crawford / Redshirt Senior / Offensive Line / 6-foot-5 / 325 pounds / Carthage, Texas / No. 74

One of the last players with an extra year of eligibility thanks to the COVID-altered 2020 season, hulking offensive tackle Ty’Kieast Crawford transferred to WVU Football in January after briefly committing to UCLA.

Crawford, who stands 6-foot-5 and weighs 325 pounds, began his college career at Charlotte before spending the next four years at Arkansas, appearing in just one game last season and taking a redshirt year in doing so. While he has 39 college games under his belt, Crawford has started just nine of them, often getting onto the field as a swing tackle or on special teams.

Click here to learn more about Ty’Kieast Crawford.

Jason Cross Jr. / Redshirt Freshman / Safety / 6-foot-1 / 185 pounds / Pittsburgh, Pa. / No. 26

Jason Cross Jr. took a redshirt year during his first season with the Mountaineers, and stuck with the program through the regime change from Neal Brown to Rich Rodriguez.

The 6-foot-1, 185 pound safety is a natural athlete who played all over the gridiron in high school at Pittsburgh’s prestigious Bishop Canevin, including at cornerback, wide receiver and quarterback. Per the WVU Football roster, Cross gained 14 pounds between last season and the present day, added bulk that will help him bring down opposing players at the Power Four level.

Click here to learn more about Jason Cross Jr.

Tyrence Crutcher / Senior / Cornerback / 5-foot-8 / 175 pounds / Huntsville, Ala. / No. 16

Senior cornerback Ty Crutcher began his college career as a wide receiver at the JUCO level, transferring to West Florida (D-II) after making the switch to corner.

Crutcher played sparingly with West Florida last season, appearing in ten games and making 13 tackles. He displayed a nose for the football, however, picking up an interception, two fumble recoveries and four passes defended.

At 5-foot-8 and 175 pounds, Crutcher has the frame of a slot cornerback. Adjusting from West Florida to the Big 12 will provide quite the challenge, but with a position group needing fresh faces, Crutcher can at least get a look in summer camp.

Click here to learn more about Ty Crutcher.

Ben Cutter / Junior / Linebacker / 6-foot-0 / 225 pounds / Denver, N.C. / No. 15

Thrust into a starting role as a true freshman because of injuries during the 2023 season, Ben Cutter saw his playing time dip last year.

The six foot tall, 225 pound inside linebacker is the type of player coaches love — he won the Mountaineers’ Blue Collar award twice during his freshman season — eating up snaps on special teams and stepping into whatever role the team needs him to.

Expect Cutter to take plenty of snaps for WVU Football this fall, whether in a similar capacity to previous seasons or as a full fledged starter.

Click here to learn more about Ben Cutter.

William Davis / Redshirt Senior / Safety / 5-foot-10 / 193 pounds / South Boston, Va. / No. 11

William Davis spent the first five seasons of his college career (including a redshirt year and the COVID year) as a cornerback at Virginia Union, a Division II HBCU.

He enters a Mountaineers’ secondary room in desperate need of overhaul after allowing opponents to shred them through the air in 2024. A former walk-on with half a decade of experience in Division II under his belt, Davis could carve out a role in a wide open position battle.

The 5-foot-10, 193 pound Davis displayed a knack for reading the backfield last season, picking up 11.5 tackles for loss.

Click here to learn more about William Davis.

Andre Devine / Redshirt Freshman / Running Back / 5-foot-7 / 157 pounds / North Fort Myers, Fla. / No. 26

Tyshawn Dues / Freshman / Wide Receiver / 5-foot-10 / 171 pounds / Charleston, W. Va. / No. 89

Freshman wide receiver Tyshawn Dues is a native of Charleston, W.Va. who attended Hurricane High School and earned a three-star ranking as a recruit. Playing on both sides of the ball, Dues recorded a 4.48 second 40-yard dash and a 4.19 second shuttle drill, indicative of his speed and agility.

Dues earned an offer from WVU Football in July 2023, the summer before his junior season, and committed to his home state’s flagship program just two months later, sticking with the Mountaineers through this offseason’s coaching change.

Click here to learn more about Tyshawn Dues.

Keenan Eck / Redshirt Junior / Bandit / 6-foot-4 / 205 pounds / Apple Valley, Calif. / No. 58

Keenan Eck put together an All-Conference season at California’s Citrus College (JUCO) in 2024, earning him a shot with WVU Football as a weakside linebacker (referred to as a bandit on the team roster).

Eck has shown a knack for rushing the passer, picking up 14.5 sacks across two college seasons. However, weakside linebackers typically play more of a role in pass coverage… which might suit the 6-foot-4, 205 pound Eck better.

Click here to learn more about Keenan Eck.

Jude Edwards / Sophomore / Offensive Line / 6-foot-3 / 304 pounds / El Largo, Texas / No. 60

Tye Edwards / Redshirt Senior / Running Back / 6-foot-2 / 228 pounds / Palatka, Fla. / No. 2

Running back Tye Edwards began his college career in 2019 at the Georgia Military Academy, transferring to Division I in 2022 with UT-San Antonio.

He retains one season of eligibility thanks to an NCAA rule aimed at giving former JUCO athletes a shot at the highest levels of the college sport and, after breaking out with Northern Iowa last season, will play behind Jahiem White as a power back with WVU Football. He’s built for that sort of role at 6-foot-2 and 228 pounds.

Click here to learn more about Tye Edwards.

Chris Fileppo / Freshman / Safety / 6-foot-4 / 205 pounds / Doylestown, Pa. / No. 34

Incoming freshman Chris Fileppo signed his National Letter of Intent with WVU Football on Dec. 4, 2024, mere days after the firing of former head coach Neal Brown and his staff. Nevertheless, Fileppo decided to take his talents to Morgantown.

At 6-foot-4 and 205 pounds, Fileppo is a good deal taller than the average safety: indeed, he played at linebacker in high school. That lanky frame could help him interrupt passing lanes.

Click here to learn more about Chris Fileppo.

Troy Fischer / Junior / Tight End/Long Snapper / 5-foot-11 / 216 pounds / Mineral, Va. / No. 39

Nate Flower / Redshirt Sophomore / Kicker / 6-foot-2 / 186 pounds / Fairmont, W. Va. / No. 48

Redshirt sophomore kicker Nate Flower is a West Virginia native who grew up barely half an hour from WVU’s campus. He attended Fairmont Senior High and played at both kicker and punter. He also led the Polar Bears to a pair of state championships on the soccer pitch.

Flower served as the Mountaineers’ top backup at kicker last year.

Click here to learn more about Nate Flower.

Griffin Fogle / Redshirt Freshman / Offensive Line / 6-foot-3 / 300 pounds / St. Clairsville, Ohio / No. 70

Griffin Fogle joined WVU Football ahead of the 2024 season as a preferred walk-on. The 6-foot-3, 300 pound offensive lineman is a legacy Mountaineer whose father, Chris, played at West Virginia from 1991 to 1994.

Fogle played left guard in high school, but with several veteran transfers likely to start this season, special teams could provide his best chance at playing time.

Click here to learn more about Griffin Foglehere to learn more about Griffin Fogle.

Preston Fox / Redshirt Senior / Wide Receiver / 5-foot-10 / 181 pounds / Morgantown, W. Va. / No. 29

Heading into his final season in college, redshirt senior and former walk-on Preston Fox has made a name for himself on the Mountaineers’ return teams.

Despite retaining a year of eligibility, the Morgantown native and fan favorite planned to end his college career after the 2024 season — going so far as to announce his retirement — but WVU Football head coach Rich Rodriguez made a personal call to persuade Fox to come back for one more year.

Now Fox will play a crucial role for the Mountaineers’ special teams unit as a new era begins for the program.

Click here to learn more about Preston Fox.

Scotty Fox Jr. / Freshman / Quarterback / 6-foot-2 / 210 pounds / Mentor, Ohio / No. 15

Depending who you ask, freshman quarterback Scotty Fox Jr. is one of the best signal callers in the class of 2025. Rivals ranks the 6-foot-2, 210 pound Fox as a four-star recruit and the No. 8 dual threat quarterback in the nation. He chose WVU Football over offers from close to a dozen programs, including Indiana, Boston College and Michigan State.

His recruiting prestige could put Fox in line for the Mountaineers’ starting job someday, although he’ll likely spend the 2025 season learning head coach Rich Rodriguez’s playbook and getting used to the demands of the college game.

Click here to learn more about Scotty Fox Jr.

Nate Gabriel / Sophomore / Defensive Line / 6-foot-3 / 300 pounds / Auburndale, Fla. / No. 69

Defensive tackle Nate Gabriel saw action in 12 of 13 games during his true freshman season, fast becoming part of the Mountaineers’ defensive line rotation.

The former three-star recruit made the most of his 128 snaps taken, picking up nine total tackles (five solo) and 0.5 sacks. Sticking with the Mountaineers through their coaching change, the 6-foot-3, 300 pound Gabriel will look to build on his debut season during 2025.

Click here to learn more about Nate Gabriel.

Rodney Gallagher III / Junior / Wide Receiver / 5-foot-10 / 180 pounds / Uniontown, Pa. / No. 24

Rodney Gallagher III joined the WVU football program as the sixth-highest rated recruit in program history, a 4-star prospect with two-way potential at both wide receiver and cornerback. College programs also recruited him as a point guard, a testament to his athletic ability.

Gallagher spent most of his snaps at wide receiver during his first two seasons with West Virginia, playing in all 26 games with ten starts. Now under the tutelage of new head coach Rich Rodriguez, he’ll devote his time and energy exclusively to the offensive side of the ball, which could help him unlock his full potential on the gridiron.

Click here to learn more about Rodney Gallagher III.

Dawayne Galloway Jr. / Freshman / Defensive Back / 6-foot-0 / 175 pounds / Columbus, Ohio / No. 31

WVU Football managed to flip four-star freshman Dawayne Galloway Jr. away from Purdue in December 2024 during the interim between their firing of Neal Brown and hiring of Rich Rodriguez. Despite the lame duck period, the six-foot tall, 175 pound cornerback decided the Mountaineers were the right fit for him… and on a team with a secondary that needs reworking after a brutal 2024 season, Galloway could get on the field early and often.

Clocked as running a 4.3 second 40-yard dash, Galloway’s speed would put him among rarified air even against NFL cornerbacks. Any interception he manages to snag will immediately turn into a potential pick six.

Click here to learn more about Dawayne Galloway Jr.

Greg Genross / Redshirt Senior / Tight End / 6-foot-6 / 230 pounds / New York, N.Y. / No. 82

Greg Genross transferred to WVU Football ahead of the 2024 season after earning a First Team All-American nod at the junior college level.

At 6-foot-6 and 230 pounds, Genross has the frame of a matchup nightmare tight end, but he didn’t take a single snap during his first season with the Mountaineers. Instead Genross took a redshirt year, helping West Virginia prepare for their opponents as a member of the scout team.

Click here to learn more about Greg Genross.

Quintin Goins / Redshirt Freshman / Defensive Line / 6-foot-3 / 260 pounds / Shenandoah Junction, W. Va. / No. 95

West Virginia native Quintin Goins signed with the Mountaineers as a preferred walk-on in 2024. He first caught the eye of WVU Football’s coaching staff the previous summer, earning MVP honors for his performance at a camp the Mountaineers hosted.

Even if they didn’t see him as a Day 1 contributor, West Virginia’s staff saw potential in Goins. The 6-foot-3, 260 pound defensive lineman will now need to demonstrate that same potential to new head coach Rich Rodriguez and his assistants in order to continue his path toward Power Four playing time.

Click here to learn more about Quintin Goins.

Devonte Golden-Nelson / Redshirt Senior / Cornerback / 5-foot-11 / 183 pounds / Memphis, Tenn. / No. 2

One of the last of the super seniors who began their college career during the COVID-altered 2020 season, Devonte Golden-Nelson spent his first two seasons at Memphis before transferring to Akron. He broke into the starting lineup with the Zips, starting ten of 12 games in 2024, and will give the Mountaineers snaps at cornerback during his final college season.

Golden-Nelson stands 5-foot-11 and weighs 183 pounds. Big 12 receivers will pose him more of a challenge than their MAC counterparts did, but his experience will give the Mountaineers a safety blanket at a position that struggled in 2024.

Click here to learn more about Devonte Golden-Nelson.

Devin Grant / Redshirt Senior / Defensive Line / 6-foot-2 / 267 pounds / San Antonio, Texas / No. 91

Devin Grant began his college career during the COVID-altered 2020 season. A three-star recruit out of high school, he earned playing time from day one but never managed to break into the starting lineup as a major contributor.

After 15 games in three years at Colorado, Grant dropped down to the FCS level with Incarnate Word, finally realizing his potential as a recruit in 2024 when he racked up 8.5 sacks across 14 games (13 starts). Grant transferred to WVU Football following the spring practice period, giving himself another shot at FBS during his final college season.

Click here to learn more about Devin Grant.

Kaleb Gray / Redshirt Sophomore / Safety / 6-foot-1 / 174 pounds / Galveston, Texas / No. 28

Kaleb Gray transferred to WVU Football in May 2025 following the spring practice period, adding depth to a secondary that struggled mightily last season. He began his college career with two seasons at the JUCO level, breaking into the starting lineup at Dodge City Community College in 2024.

A 6-foot-1, 174 pound safety, Gray can play for up to four more years in college thanks to an NCAA ruling giving renewed eligibility to former JUCO athletes. It will almost certainly take him time to adjust from community college to Power Four.

Click here to learn more about Kaleb Gray.

Christian Hamilton / Redshirt Sophomore / Wide Receiver / 5-foot-11 / 189 pounds / Harrisburg, Pa. / No. 17

Christian Hamilton joined the North Carolina Tar Heels as a four star recruit out of high school, playing 11 games (four starts) across two seasons. He transferred to WVU Football following the spring practice period, likely after getting an idea of where he would land on the Tar Heels depth chart under new head coach, Bill Belichick.

The 5-foot-11, 189 pound receiver has three seasons of eligibility left to recognize his four-star potential in Rich Rodriguez’ up-tempo offense.

Click here to learn more about Christian Hamilton.

Justin Harrington / Redshirt Senior / Safety / 6-foot-3 / 217 pounds / Raleigh, N.C. / No. 8

WVU Football marks the fourth program Justin Harrington has suited up for during his eight year college career. He began at the junior college level in 2018, picking up seven interceptions across two seasons at Bakersfield College (Calif.) before turning that into a Power Five bid with Oklahoma.

Playing as a cheetah, or hybrid linebacker/safety in Brett Venables’ defense, the 6-foot-3, 217 pound Harrington earned a starting role in 2023 before suffering a season ending injury. He displayed a nose for the football at every stop in his college career, snagging three interceptions in 19 games with the Sooners, but saw his playing time dip to just eight games after transferring to Washington in 2024.

Click here to learn more about Justin Harrington.

Donovan Haslam / Redshirt Junior / Offensive Line / 6-foot-3 / 341 pounds / Perry, Ga. / No. 57

Donovan Haslam transferred to WVU Football following the spring practice period after spending three seasons at Austin Peay. The 6-foot-3, 341 pound behemoth of a tackle earned playing time in each of his seasons with the Governors, including ten games off the bench as a true freshman, but still managed to take a redshirt year in 2023.

Haslam broke into the starting lineup last season, starting nine of 12 games at left tackle, and will now try to make the jump from the Atlantic Sun Conference to the Big 12. With two seasons of eligibility left, Haslam has plenty of time to make his mark in a Mountaineers uniform.

Click here to learn more about Donovan Haslam.

Mike Hastie / Freshman / Linebacker / 6-foot-3 / 222 pounds / Douglasville, Ga. / No. 22

Mike Hastie had more than two dozen college offers but still decided to commit to the WVU Football ahead of his senior year in high school. He announced his decision in June 2024, then doubled down six months later on National Signing Day… even after the firing of former head coach Neal Brown.

A three-star recruit out of high school, Hastie is a 6-foot-3, 222 pound middle linebacker who racked up more than 300 career tackles while playing for a perennial Georgia powerhouse.

While the Mountaineers have seasoned veterans like Ben Bogle and Chase Wilson likely to take up snaps at linebacker this season, don’t count Hastie out as an early contributor.

Click here to learn more about Mike Hastie.

Ethan Head / Sophomore / Kicker / 6-foot-1 / 184 pounds / Glen Elly, Ill. / No. 99

Ethan Head transferred to WVU Football after spending his freshman season as the kickoff specialist at Tulane.

The Mountaineers also brought in senior transfer Kade Hensley to help shore up their kicking crew, so Head will likely spend 2025 in a developmental role. Hensley committed to West Virginia following the spring practice period, so head coach Rich Rodriguez had a chance to see his options at kicker… and decide he needed to return to the portal for another option.

Click here to learn more about Ethan Head.

Jaylen Henderson / Redshirt Senior / Quarterback / 6-foot-3 / 223 pounds / Los Angeles, Calif. / No. 13

Jaylen Henderson transferred to WVU Football for his final season in college after two years apiece at Fresno State and Texas A&M.

A dual-threat quarterback with ten games (four starts) to his name across four seasons, Henderson has plenty of athletic potential — including a host of relatives who made the NFL — but hasn’t turned it into success on the gridiron.

He and Nicco Marchiol emerged as the top contenders in the Mountaineers’ quarterback battle during spring practices, and head coach Rich Rodriguez even floated the idea of giving major snaps to both of them. Even if the 6-foot-3, 223 pound Henderson can’t cement himself as the runaway starter, expect to see him on the field a significant amount in 2025.

Click here to learn more about Jaylen Henderson.

BJ Hendrickson III / Sophomore / Cornerback / 6-foot-2 / 150 pounds / Baldwin, N.Y. / No. 43

Kade Hensley / Redshirt Senior / Kicker / 5-foot-10 / 190 pounds / Johnson City, Tenn. / No. 25

The Mountaineers brought veteran kicker Kade Hensley in via the transfer portal following the spring practice period.

That likely indicates that none of their kickers already on the roster managed to establish themselves as ready for the starting job, placing Hensley on the inside track to start.

The redshirt senior spent the first four seasons of his college career at Coastal Carolina, earning major playing time in each of the last three years. He converted on 84.2 percent of field goal tries but nailed every single extra point in 2024.

Click here to learn more about Kade Hensley.

Brandon Homady / Freshman / Offensive Line / 6-foot-3 / 293 pounds / Cleveland, Ohio / No. 71

Ranked as a three-star prospect and the No. 67 interior lineman in the Class of 2025, Brandon Homady received an offer from WVU Football in October 2024 and flipped his commitment to the Mountaineers a month later.

Homady stayed on following head coach Neal Brown’s ouster, giving new head man Rich Rodriguez a 6-foot-3, 293 pound guard who didn’t allow any sacks during his senior season and paved the way for an offense that gained more than 2,300 rushing yards. A developmental redshirt year isn’t a necessity for Homady, who already possesses the bulk expected of a Division I lineman — he recorded more than 100 pancakes of opposing defensive linemen in his senior season alone.

Click here to learn more about Brandon Homady.

Julien Horton / Freshman / Safety / 6-foot-0 / 169 pounds / Abingdon, Md. / No. 39

Diore Hubbard / Redshirt Freshman / Running Back / 5-foot-10 / 191 pounds / Gahanna, Ohio / No. 20

Diore Hubbard committed to WVU Football after a storied high school career that saw him put up some serious mileage with more than 5,800 offensive yards and 71 touchdowns. A three-star recruit with a pair of First Team All-State nods — which says quite a bit in the populous Buckeye State — Hubbard chose the Mountaineers over offers from Kentucky, Marshall, and a series of other Division I schools.

The 5-foot-10, 191 pound running back appeared in two games for the Mountaineers in 2024.

Click here to learn more about Diore Hubbard.

Andreas Hunter / Redshirt Freshman / Offensive Line / 6-foot-5 / 301 pounds / Glen Dale, W. Va. / No. 73

Andreas Hunter committed to WVU Football as a preferred walk-on (PWO) ahead of the 2024 season, giving the Glen Dale, W. Va. native a chance to represent his home state on the Division I stage.

A First Team All-State honoree at John Marshall High School outside Wheeling, Hunter didn’t allow a sack during his senior season. The 6-foot-5, 301 pound tackle picked up more than 20 pancake blocks in his high school career and also participated on the wrestling team, giving him extra practice in fundamentals of his position like grappling and weight transfer.

Click here to learn more about Andreas Hunter.

Tyler Jacklich / Redshirt Sophomore / Running Back / 6-foot-2 / 223 pounds / Modesto, Calif. / No. 28

Zae Jennings / Sophomore / Nickel Safety / 6-foot-0 / 192 pounds / Cincinnati, Ohio / No. 17

Zae Jennings appeared in 12 of 13 games during his true freshman season with WVU Football, burning a year of eligibility while playing at the spear position.

A hybrid role, most spears are built like the typical defensive back — Jennings stands six feet tall and weighs 192 pounds — but line up near the line of scrimmage, either dropping back into pass coverage or surging forward to blitz. Jennings picked up three tackles in that role this season, but might see his usage change slightly in 2025 as new head coach Rich Rodriguez has him listed as a nickel safety.

There’s a good deal of overlap between the two positions, but in the end it comes down to how defensive coordinator Zac Alley plans to call plays.

Click here to learn more about Zae Jennings.

Curtis Jones Jr. / Sophomore / Bandit / 6-foot-4 / 231 pounds / Huntington, W. Va. / No. 41

Curtis Jones Jr. committed to WVU Football out of Cabell Midland High School in Ona, W.Va. where he starred as both a running back and a linebacker.

A three-star recruit who stands 6-foot-4 and weighs 231 pounds, Jones took 74 snaps on special teams during his true freshman season. New head coach Rich Rodriguez has Jones listed as a bandit, a weakside linebacker who can stray toward the line of scrimmage or line up on the inside pre-snap. Once a play begins, the bandit will often drop into coverage… but pre-snap positioning leaves the threat of a blitz on the table.

Click here to learn more about Curtis Jones Jr.

Kannon Katzer / Redshirt Junior / Running Back / 5-foot-9 / 189 pounds / Spokane, Wash. / No. 30

Kannon Katzer transferred to WVU Football after a 2024 season that saw him win a Division II national championship as one half of a two-headed monster at running back, picking up more than 8.8 yards per carry.

Although he began his college career in 2020 with Washington State, he retains two seasons of eligibility after spending time in junior college. The 5-foot-8, 189 pound running back picked up just six carries over the course of three seasons with the Cougars, all during the 2022 season, and will now make his triumphant return to the heights of Division I after taking time to develop at the lower levels of the sport.

Click here to learn more about Kannon Katzer.

Scott Kean / Redshirt Junior / Quarterback / 6-foot-2 / 206 pounds / Weston, Fla. / No. 12

Scott Kean committed to WVU Football as a walk-on in February 2022, choosing the Mountaineers over scholarship opportunities from smaller programs like Charlotte and Columbia. Now in his fourth season in Morgantown, Kean has yet to take a snap, which isn’t too surprising for a walk-on at such a premium position.

As his college career draws closer to a conclusion, however, don’t rule out the possibility of the coaching staff substituting the 6-foot-2, 206 pound signal caller in during the fourth quarter with a lopsided score.

Click here to learn more about Scott Kean.

Eddie Kelly Jr. / Senior / Defensive Line / 6-foot-5 / 286 pounds / Orlando, Fla. / No. 1

Senior defensive lineman Eddie Kelly Jr. transferred to WVU Football after one season apiece at USF, Georgia Tech and Missouri. He’s played in 37 of a potential 38 games during his college career, making nine starts, and served as a member of the defensive line rotation in 2024 for a Tigers team that went 10-3 and finished in the Top 25.

Kelly transferred following the Tigers’ spring practice period, perhaps looking for a starting job during his final season in college… although his track record of annual transfers makes it difficult to say for certain. With 2.5 sacks and 6.5 tackles for loss in his college career, the 6-foot-5, 286 pound Kelly would likely fit best as a rotational defensive end unless he has a breakout season.

Click here to learn more about Eddie Kelly Jr.

Jaylan Knighton / Redshirt Senior / Running Back / 5-foot-10 / 185 pounds / Lauderhill, Fla. / No. 22

UPDATE: WVU Football removed Jaylon Knighton from the roster owing to an academic eligibility issue.

A five year veteran of college football who began his career at Miami and later spent three seasons at SMU, Jaylan Knighton transferred to WVU Football following the spring practice period.

The 5-foot-10, 185 pound running back enjoyed major usage between 2021 and 2023, eventually developing into the Mustangs featured back, but a knee injury cut his season short after just two games last season. West Virginia already has their starting tailback for this season, with Jahiem White viewed as one of the top returning players at the position in all of college football. At the very least, Knighton will give the Mountaineers a safety net of experience and production.

Click here to learn more about Jaylan Knighton.

RJ Kocan / Redshirt Junior / Kicker / 5-foot-10 / 225 pounds / West Islip, N.Y. / No. 42

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.

Click here to learn more about RJ Kocan.

Raymond Kovalesky / Redshirt Freshman / Offensive Line / 6-foot-3 / 267 pounds / Wheeling, W. Va. / No. 51

WVU Football recruited Wheeling native Raymond Kovalesky as a linebacker, but they decided to try him out as an offensive lineman last season. Entering college at 225 pounds, Kovalesky needed to add substantial bulk in order to match up against Division I defensive linemen, but managed to add more than 40 pounds during his redshirt freshman season.

Whether the team views him as an interior lineman or a tackle, continued bulking would benefit Kovalesky, but in an room full of veteran transfers, the redshirt freshman has plenty of time to develop.

Click here to learn more about Raymond Kovalesky.

Nick Krahe / Redshirt Sophomore / Offensive Line / 6-foot-6 / 305 pounds / Erie, Pa. / No. 52

Nick Krahe committed to the Mountaineers ahead of the 2023 season as a consensus three-star recruit. He starred on both sides of the ball in high school, playing at both offensive guard and tackle, but at 6-foot-6 and 305 pounds would likely serve the Mountaineers best using his wingspan to fight off edge rushers. Tied as one of the four tallest players on the roster, that height and length could make Krahe a natural at tackle.

During his first two seasons with WVU Football, Krahe made it onto the field as a member of the special teams unit, indicating a higher level of athleticism than one might expect from the average lineman.

Click here to learn more about Nick Krahe.

Carson Lee / Redshirt Senior / Offensive Line / 6-foot-2 / 327 pounds / Greenwood Village, Colo. / No. 55

A redshirt senior set to begin his sixth year in college, Carson Lee began his career with stints at Colorado and Eastern Michigan. After breaking into the Eagles starting lineup in 2024, playing at both guard and center, the 6-foot-2, 327 pound lineman committed to Mississippi State out of the transfer portal this offseason.

His Bulldogs tenure didn’t last long, as Lee returned to the portal following the spring practice period, the route that eventually brought him to Morgantown.

Click here to learn more about Carson Lee.

Darrian Lewis / Redshirt Senior / Safety / 5-foot-9 / 198 pounds / Akron, Ohio / No. 24

Darrian Lewis transferred to WVU Football for his final season of eligibility after four seasons at Akron, enjoying a starting role for two of them. A 5-foot-9, 194 pound defensive back, the Zips listed Lewis at cornerback, but the Mountaineers now list him as a safety.

His statistics fit the profile for a box safety, with steady tackling and a mix of sacks, tackles for loss and pass breakups. The Mountaineers had one of the worst secondaries in all of Division I last season, so a versatile and proven player like Lewis should have no problem stepping in and making an instant impact.

Click here to learn more about Darrian Lewis.

John Lewis / Redshirt Senior / Linebacker / 6-foot-2 / 244 pounds / Canton, Miss. / No. 12

After playing in just four games to preserve a redshirt year during his first season on campus, linebacker John Lewis appeared in 36 games over his next three seasons at Mississippi State. Lewis spent the spring practice window at UNLV after entering the transfer portal for his final season of eligibility, then decided to make his way to WVU Football. That’s college football in the year 2025.

With four starts and 44 tackles during his time with the Bulldogs, the 6-foot-2, 240 pound linebacker is a career backup. That said, his statistics improved from season to season, which could indicate a bigger role this season for the former 4-star recruit.

Click here to learn more about John Lewis.

Landen Livingston / Redshirt Junior / Offensive Line / 6-foot-4 / 294 pounds / Leo, Ind. / No. 67

A rising redshirt junior, Landen Livingston committed to WVU Football after earning a three-star ranking as a high school recruit. Center is his natural position, and although there are less snaps to go around at that spot than others on the offensive line, he still managed to appear as a reserve in ten games across the past two seasons, making one start.

After appearing in seven games in 2024 — and with plenty of open holes on the depth chart in front of him after the Mountaineers lost their entire starting offensive line to graduation or the transfer portal — the 6-foot-4, 293 pound Livingston has an excellent chance to win his position battle and start at center in 2025.

Click here to learn more about Landen Livingston.

Kimo Makane’ole / Redshirt Senior / Offensive Line / 6-foot-4 / 300 pounds / Niceville, Fla. / No. 56

Plenty of players on this year’s Mountaineers team took a circuitous route to where they are now, whether bouncing from school to school or transferring from junior colleges in an attempt to prove themselves, but redshirt senior offensive lineman Kimo Makane’ole might take the cake.

The 6-foot-4, 298 pound lineman spent the first three seasons of his college career (including a redshirt year) on the offensive line at LSU before the Tigers coaching staff decided to try him on the defensive line in 2024. While Makane’ole saw the most playing time of any season in college to date, appearing in ten games, he hit the transfer portal at the end of the season. Now, the Mountaineers list him back on the o-line.

Click here to learn more about Kimo Makane’ole.

Nicco Marchiol / Redshirt Junior / Quarterback / 6-foot-2 / 226 pounds / Chandler, Ariz. / No. 8

Unless a game turns into a blowout or the starter goes down with an injury, backup quarterbacks typically get little to no playing time. Redshirt junior Nicco Marchiol, a 6-foot-2, 235 pound dual threat lefty, has appeared in 20 games (three starts) during his career with the WVU football program, however, as a result of injuries to former starter Garrett Greene.

His signature moment was a 2023 Backyard Brawl win over the rival Pitt Panthers, a game he entered in relief of Greene, but Marchiol has struggled with consistency during his time on the field. The Mountaineers brought in transfer quarterback Jaylen Henderson to compete with Marchiol during the offseason, and head coach Rich Rodriguez has even dangled the idea of using both quarterbacks in some sort of rotation in 2025.

Click here to learn more about Nicco Marchiol.

Robby Martin / Redshirt Freshman / Offensive Line / 6-foot-3 / 302 pounds / Huntington, W. Va. / No. 63

Robby Martin committed to NC State as a four star recruit out of West Virginia’s Huntington High School, where he picked up 190 pancake blocks in the course of his career and spent time at both center and left tackle.

After one season with the Wolfpack, Martin transferred to the Mountaineers in early 2025, giving him a chance to make a name for himself while playing for his home state’s flagship program. Martin took a redshirt year last season, appearing at center for part of one game, and his 6-foot-3, 302 pound frame likely fits the interior offensive line best.

Nevertheless, his combination of versatility and talent should make him an exciting player to watch grow in a Mountaineers uniform.

Click here to learn more about Robby Martin.

Colin McBee / Redshirt Junior / Tight End / 6-foot-0 / 235 pounds / Morgantown, W. Va. / No. 43

Colin McBee grew up in Morgantown, attending University High School, and committed to the Mountaineers as a preferred walk-on. Now entering his fourth season with WVU Football, he’s listed on the roster as a tight end rather than his original position of fullback.

McBee, who appeared in eight games over the course of the last two seasons, could see playing time as a blocker at a position like H-Back, a mix between tight end and fullback. At six feet tall and 234 pounds, he doesn’t have the height of a traditional tight end, but his blocking ability and experience on special teams can provide upside in new head coach Rich Rodriguez’s run-heavy offense.

Click here to learn more about Colin McBee.

Jordan McCants / Redshirt Junior / Wide Receiver / 5-foot-11 / 173 pounds / Birmingham, Ala. / No. 88

A 5-foot-11, 178 pound wide receiver who spent the first three seasons of his college career under Rich Rodriguez and new Mountaineers’ receivers coach Ryan Garrett, Jordan McCants broke into the starting lineup with the Gamecocks during the 2024 season.

Even in a starting role, McCants only hauled in 15 passes last season as the Gamecocks focused on their ground game, ranking second in the nation in rushing yards and third in carries. His usage this season will hinge on how he meshes into the Mountaineers’ receiving room… and how much Rodriguez plans to emphasize the run game.

Click here to learn more about Jordan McCants.

Corey McIntyre Jr. / Redshirt Sophomore / Defensive Line / 6-foot-3 / 290 pounds / Port St. Lucie, Fla. / No. 5

Corey McIntyre Jr. is a legacy Mountaineer whose father, Corey Sr., spent four years at West Virginia on the way to an 11 year career in the NFL. While his father played fullback, the younger McIntyre is a 6-foot-3, 284 pound defensive lineman who earned a pair of all-state nominations in Florida, one of the toughest recruiting areas in the entire country.

McIntyre appeared in four games with the Mountaineers during his first season on campus, preserving a redshirt year, but didn’t make it on the field in 2024.

The Mountaineers’ defensive line depth is split between incoming freshmen and upper classmen transferring in from the lower levels of Division I, so McIntyre will have an excellent shot at playing time in an unproven room.

Click here to learn more about Corey McIntyre Jr.

Wyatt Minor / Redshirt Sophomore / Offensive Line / 6-foot-5 / 308 pounds / Clarksburg, W. Va. / No. 68

Born and raised in Clarksburg, W.Va., Wyatt Minor wasn’t able to catch the attention of the Mountaineers during his initial recruiting process. Instead, the 6-foot-5, 305 pound offensive tackle committed to Youngstown State out of high school, appearing in one game across two seasons with the Penguins before transferring to WVU Football this offseason.

He joins an offensive line room decimated due to graduations and the transfer portal, which could give him a chance at playing time despite his lack of experience.

Click here to learn more about Wyatt Minor.

Macguire Moss / Redshirt Junior / Long Snapper / 6-foot-1 / 226 pounds / Batavia, Ill. / No. 38

Long snappers are the cog that keeps an entire special teams unit running, beginning the play on punts and kicks. Their duties don’t stop once they snap the ball, however, as the best long snappers can hustle downfield in order to make tackles or cut off return lanes.

Macguire Moss is a redshirt junior who appeared in two games for WVU Football in 2024. As one of just two long snappers on the Mountaineers’ roster, his uptick in playing time likely indicates that he’ll serve atop the depth chart this season, although redshirt freshman Kaden Seller, a former five star recruit at the position, could push for playing time.

Click here to learn more about Macguire Moss.

Caleb Nuhi-Yandall / Junior / Linebacker / 6-foot-1 / 220 pounds / Long Beach, Calif. / No. 38

Oluwaseyi Omotosho / Redshirt Senior / Defensive Line / 6-foot-2 / 251 pounds / Houston / No. 87

MarShon Oxley / Redshirt Junior / Bandit / 6-foot-2 / 214 pounds / Los Angeles, Calif. / No. 45

Despite his 6-foot-2, 227 pound frame — well below average for the position group even in the Group of 5 — MarShon Oxley began his college career as a defensive end at Colorado State. After a redshirt year in 2022, Oxley appeared in 11 games for the Rams the following season before transferring to Hutchinson Community College.

There, he helped win an NJCAA Championship and earned a First Team All-American selection, picking up 12 sacks and leveraging his play into a Power Four offer with WVU. The Mountaineers plan to play him at bandit, a hybrid weakside linebacker/defensive back who helps disguise a defensive package, often dropping into coverage but retaining the possibility of rushing the passer… which Oxley certainly knows how to do after two seasons of playing time at defensive end.

A role he’s better suited for could help Oxley to a breakout season in Division I.

Click here to learn more about MarShon Oxley.

Fred Perry / Senior / Nickel Safety / 5-foot-11 / 203 pounds / Vienna, Ga. / No. 5

Fred Perry began his college career under Rich Rodriguez at Jacksonville State, leading the Gamecocks in total tackles or solo tackles during each of his three seasons there. He’ll suit up as a nickel defender with the Mountaineers in 2025, which could end up as a starting role depending on what personnel grouping new defensive coordinator Zac Alley decides to deploy.

A sure tackler who also excelled at rushing the passer during his time at Jacksonville State, Perry spent his first two seasons in college under new Mountaineers’ nickels/sams coach Henry Weinreich. His track record of standout play and familiarity with the scheme should help Perry play a major role with WVU Football during his final season in college.

Click here to learn more about Fred Perry.

Camdon Pitchford / Freshman / Wide Receiver / 5-foot-9 / 163 pounds / Columbus, Texas / No. 38

Wide receiver Camdon Pitchford hauled in 87 passes for 1,205 yards and 21 touchdowns during his senior year in high school, winning a state championship at the AAA classification in football powerhouse Texas. At 5-foot-9 and 169 pounds, Pitchford likely projects as a slot receiver in Division I.

He also played point guard in high school, which fits with the profile of a fast, shifty athlete. Even though he was lightly recruited in high school — per his Twitter, the Mountaineers were one of just two programs to offer Pitchford — the freshman receiver has the toolbox of an agile and competitive athlete who could push for playing time as his college career continues.

Click here to learn more about Camdon Pitchford.

Logan Ramper / Redshirt Senior / Wide Receiver / 6-foot-2 / 216 pounds / Mechanicsburg, Pa. / No. 18

Logan Ramper committed to WVU Football for his final season of college eligibility following the Mountaineers’ spring practice period. A 6-foot-2, 220 pound receiver, Ramper possesses a frame that will help him shake off defensive backs, whether as he makes contested catches or as he tries to break loose for the end zone.

He also brings a history of clutch performance to the team, helping Division II Slippery Rock to the national semifinals last season after catching fire for seven touchdowns in four games. Depending on what sort of balance the Mountaineers find between their rushing and passing attacks, expect solid snaps for Ramper in 2025.

Click here to learn more about Logan Ramper.

Asani Redwood / Redshirt Junior / Defensive Line / 6-foot-3 / 294 pounds / Suwanee, Ga. / No. 92

After living the first 15 years of his life in Kingston, Jamaica, Asani Redwood didn’t play football until his junior year of high school. Redwood moved to Georgia ahead of his sophomore year, but enrolled too late to earn a spot on the team at Collins Hill High School.

Once he cleared those hurdles, including wondering if the sport was right for him after struggling to adapt in summer practices, Redwood hit the ground running, vaulting himself to a three-star ranking as a recruit.

Click here to learn more about Asani Redwood.

Jimmori Robinson / Redshirt Senior / Defensive Line / 6-foot-4 / 294 pounds / Alexandria, Va. / No. 0

Jimmori Robinson began his career at Dodge City Community College in 2019, spending two seasons at the JUCO level before transferring to UTSA. Including a redshirt year, Robinson spent four seasons with the Roadrunners, but is fighting to retain a year of eligibility thanks to an NCAA rule granting extra opportunities to former JUCO athletes.

Robinson honed his craft during those four years in San Antonio, picking up 4.5 sacks and 11 tackles for loss in 2023 before breaking out last season, dropping opposing quarterbacks in the backfield 10.5 times. He also added 17 tackles for loss.

Robinson’s upward trajectory and experience should make him a plug-and-play option at edge rusher, giving him one last chance to terrorize opposing quarterbacks.

Click here to learn more about Jimmori Robinson.

Keyshawn Robinson / Sophomore / Cornerback / 5-foot-11 / 191 pounds / Ranson, W. Va. / No. 20

Mountain State product who attended Jefferson High School in the eastern panhandle, Keyshawn Robinson earned a three-star ranking as a recruit after starring at both wide receiver and defensive back.

Upon enrolling at West Virginia, Robinson settled on cornerback as his position of choice. He managed to play in 11 games during his true freshman season, spending most of his time on special teams with the occasional snap at cornerback. There’s a path to extended playing time for the 5-foot-11, 185 pound athlete in 2025 as the Mountaineers look to rebuild their secondary.

Click here to learn more about Keyshawn Robinson.

Hammond Russell IV / Redshirt Senior / Defensive Line / 6-foot-3 / 308 pounds / Dublin, Ohio / No. 99

Billed as a three-star recruit in high school, redshirt senior Hammond Russell IV has earned a gradual increase in playing time over the course of four seasons in a Mountaineers uniform. The 6-foot-3, 312 pound defensive end played roughly half of the Mountaineers’ defensive snaps in 2024, coming off the bench as a reserve.

Russell picked up three sacks and 3.5 tackles for loss last season. Of the 15 defensive linemen on the roster besides Russell, ten are new faces: either incoming freshmen or transfers from the lower levels of the sport like Adam Tomczyk (Cerritos College) or Devin Grant (Incarnate Word). As such, Russell should have an excellent opportunity to build on his three-star ranking and put the finishing touches on his Mountaineers career.

Click here to learn more about Hammond Russell IV.

Gabe Ryan / Junior / Defensive Line / 6-foot-2 / 254 pounds / Keyser, W.Va. / No. 60

Jordan Scruggs / Redshirt Senior / Cornerback / 5-foot-11 / 172 pounds / Kansas City, Mo. / No. 6

Of the ten cornerbacks on the Mountaineers’ roster, eight are new additions (either transfers or incoming freshmen) after WVU Football had one of the worst pass defenses in the country in 2024.

Jordan Scruggs is one of those transfers, a 5-foot-11, 166 pound redshirt senior who began his college career with time in Division II and in junior college before transferring to South Alabama. Scruggs proved his mettle in the Sun Belt, starting nine games during his first taste of Division I action and picking up an interception, 4.5 tackles for loss and 69 total tackles.

Now he’ll make his next jump, attempting to prove his mettle in an unproven cornerback room that will provide plenty of opportunities for playing time.

Click here to learn more about Jordan Scruggs.

Kaden Seller / Redshirt Freshman / Long Snapper / 6-foot-3 / 253 pounds / Hilliard, Ohio / No. 53

Kaden Seller joined the WVU football program as one of the top rated long snappers in the country per the assessment of Kohl’s Professional Camps. A 6-foot-3, 261 pound redshirt freshman, Seller is one of two long snappers on the roster this season.

His performance as a recruit makes him a dark horse candidate to keep an eye on.

Click here to learn more about Kaden Seller.

Braden Siders / Redshirt Senior / Bandit / 6-foot-2 / 243 pounds / Thornton, Colo. / No. 10

Braden Siders began his college football career with five seasons at Wyoming, preserving one final season of eligibility as a result of the COVID-altered 2020 season. While the 6-foot-2, 238 pound athlete spent his time with the Cowboys as a defensive end, the Mountaineers have a different vision for him.

Siders will play at bandit, a hybrid position that combines qualities of a weakside linebacker and a box safety, giving him the opportunity to rush the passer, drop back into coverage, and generally lend new defensive coordinator Zac Alley a helping hand through disguising what the Mountaineers’ defense plans on doing.

Click here to learn more about Braden Siders.

Elijah Simmons / Redshirt Junior / Defensive Line / 6-foot-0 /294 pounds / Charlotte, N.C. / No. 94

Elijah Simmons transferred to WVU Football after spending the first three years of his college career between Kent State and Garden City Community College.

The six-foot tall, 288 pound lineman recorded just 21 tackles against junior college competition last season, which doesn’t bode well for his ability to adjust to Division I, but numbers aren’t everything on the defensive line. Eating up blockers and shutting down rushing or passing lanes can help the team as much as the player who ends up making the stop does.

Click here to learn more about Elijah Simmons.

Oran Singleton Jr. / Senior / Wide Receiver / 5-foot-9 / 159 pounds / Clewiston, Fla. / No. 3

Oran Singleton Jr. transferred to WVU this offseason after a breakout campaign with Eastern Michigan in 2024. A 5-foot-9, 165 pound receiver, Singleton picked up more than 630 yards with the Eagles last season despite an offense that favored the ground game.

A former All-State recruit in the extremely competitive Florida, Singleton committed to Akron out of high school: he spent two seasons with the Zips before transferring to Hutchinson Community College for a year.

West Virginia head coach Rich Rodriguez often adopts a run-heavy offense, which could limit the number of targets to go around, but Singleton is an excellent bet for playing time as a slot receiver in 2025 thanks to his experience and history of success.

Click here to learn more about Oran Singleton Jr.

Justin Smith-Brown / Redshirt Senior / Wide Receiver / 5-foot-11 / 184 pounds / Port St. John, Fla. / No. 11

Wide receiver Justin Smith-Brown transferred to WVU Football for his final season of college after four successful seasons at South Carolina State (D-I FCS).

Smith-Brown racked up 749 receiving yards last season, the second-best mark in his conference. The Bulldogs also used the 5-foot-11, 185 pound speedster out of the backfield on plays like end-arounds.

Returning Mountaineers’ head coach Rich Rodriguez often prioritizes the run game — Jacksonville State had the third-most carries per game in the nation under his guidance last season — which could limit the amount of targets to go around, but Smith-Brown’s ability on gadget plays should help him pick up snaps regardless.

Click here to learn more about Justin Smith-Brown.

Matthias Square / Freshman / Defensive Back / 5-foot-8 / 155 pounds / Hughesville, Md. / No. 48

Aidan Stire / Freshman / Punter / 6-foot-0 / 185 pounds / Morgantown, W. Va. / No. 47

Aidan Stire committed to WVU Football after a successful career down the road at Morgantown High School, one that saw him win the Lou Groza Award as the top specialist in the Ohio Valley.

The six foot tall, 193 pound punter also excelled on field goal tries, kickoffs and on the soccer pitch, possessing a booming leg and the accuracy to match.

Stire already has excellent credentials. Now he’ll have a chance to learn from one of the best punters in the Big 12 in Mountaineers’ senior Oliver Straw.

Click here to learn more about Aidan Stire.

Oliver Straw / Senior / Punter / 6-foot-2 / 209 pounds / Melbourne, Australia / No. 41

Oliver Straw hit the ground running during his first season in Morgantown, serving as the Mountaineers’ No. 1 punter in 11 of 13 games during his true freshman season. It’s a beginning that makes sense for a player who spent his childhood between three separate continents: growing up in the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia, Straw learned how to adjust to unfamiliar surroundings.

Now in his senior season with WVU Football, Straw enters the season with high expectations, earning a selection to the preseason Third Team All-Big 12 list.

Click here to learn more about Oliver Straw.

Kekoura Tarnue / Senior / Safety / 6-foot-0 / 199 pounds / Monrovia, Liberia / No. 14

Kekoura Tarnue began his Division I career under Rich Rodriguez at Jacksonville State, but he didn’t follow Rodriguez to Morgantown: Rodriguez followed him, as Tarnue transferred to WVU Football ahead of the 2024 season.

A native of Monrovia, Liberia, Tarnue also spent time at the JUCO level, intercepting eight passes in 2022 before transferring to Jacksonville State. He’s a steady performer who’s made his way into the starting lineup at every stop he’s made during his college career, and will see plenty of opportunities for playing time this season. Experience under new defensive coordinator Zac Alley will also help Tarnue’s case.

Click here to learn more about Kekoura Tarnue.

Nick Taylor / Sophomore / Cornerback / 6-foot-1 / 184 pounds / Atlanta, Ga. / No. 19

Nick Taylor transferred to the WVU football program after spending his true freshman season with another set of Mountaineers at Appalachian State. A 6-foot-1, 189 pound cornerback, Taylor played sparingly but still performed well enough to justify burning a year of eligibility, racking up ten tackles and a pass breakup in 2024.

A two-time all-region performer in Georgia, always a recruiting hotbed, Taylor joins a secondary that was among the worst in the nation last season. As such, he’ll have plenty of opportunities to earn playing time in an unproven and retooled position group… and added familiarity with the Mountaineers system, as he played under new cornerbacks coach Rod West at Appalachian State.

Click here to learn more about Nick Taylor.

Wilnerson Telemaque / Freshman / Defensive Line / 6-foot-6 / 252 pounds / Miami Gardens, Fla. / No. 47

Wilnerson Telemaque committed to WVU Football on National Signing Day in 2024 despite the Mountaineers being in the middle of a regime change.

A 6-foot-6, 255 pound defensive end, Telemaque was a three-star recruit in high school and has a natural frame for the position, possessing the length and speed to beat opposing tackles on his way to the quarterback. As he continues to build strength and hone his technique, Telemaque could turn into a legitimate nightmare of an edge rusher.

True freshmen generally struggle to see major playing time, but don’t rule Telemaque out entirely in a wide open position battle.

Click here to learn more about Wilnerson Telemaque.

Adam Tomczyk / Redshirt Junior / Defensive Line / 6-foot-3 / 265 pounds / Long Beach, Calif. / No. 89

After appearing in just one game at Utah State across his first two seasons, redshirt junior defensive lineman Adam Tomczyk decided to reboot his career at the JUCO level. Transferring back to his native Long Beach, Calif., Tomczyk earned first-team all-conference honors at Cerritos College, picking up four sacks and nine tackles for loss across nine games played.

Now the 6-foot-3, 261 pound pass rusher will give Division I another chance, taking part in a wide open competition on the defensive line.

Click here to learn more about Adam Tomczyk.

Cam Torbor / Freshman / Linebacker / 6-foot-3 / 242 pounds / Hoover, Ala. / No 46

The son of an eight-year NFL veteran who won a Super Bowl with the Giants, Cam Torbor already has an extensive athletic résumé as an incoming freshman.

He won a pair of 7A state championships on the hardwood during his time in high school and didn’t even pick up football until his junior year. Then, the 6-foot-3, 239 pound linebacker promptly learned his position — having a professional linebacker for a father certainly didn’t hurt — on the way to First-Team All-State honors during his senior year.

Click here to learn more about Cam Torbor.

Cyrus Traugh / Redshirt Sophomore / Wide Receiver / 6-foot-0 / 182 pounds / Parkersburg, W. Va. / No. 86

Redshirt sophomore wide receiver Cyrus Traugh grew up in Parkersburg, W.Va. and earned the Randy Moss Award as the top high school receiver in the Mountain State as a senior.

WVU Football didn’t offer Traugh during his initial recruiting cycle — although new head Rich Rodriguez did from his position at Jacksonville State — so the six foot tall, 188-pound receiver committed to Youngstown State instead. After playing in two games as a reserve in 2023, Traugh broke into the starting lineup and earned FCS Freshman All-American honors with the Penguins last season.

Click here to learn more about Cyrus Traugh.

Cam Vaughn / Redshirt Sophomore / Wide Receiver / 6-foot-2 / 186 pounds / Villa Rica, Ga. / No. 4

Cam Vaughn broke out for more than 800 receiving yards in a run-heavy offense last season. He followed head coach Rich Rodriguez from Jacksonville State to Morgantown, and is now receiving hype as a Biletnikoff Award candidate, handed out to the best receiver in the nation each season.

Vaughn, who stands 6-foot-2 and weighs 185 pounds, managed that production despite only starting eight of 14 games last season, coming off the bench in the other six.

Click here to learn more about Cam Vaughn.

Edward Vesterinen / Graduate / Defensive Line / 6-foot-3 / 284 pounds / Helsinki, Finland / No. 96

Even coming from Finland, where he didn’t pick up American Football until his time in high school — and had to play against grown men, many with experience in the college game, in order to find competition, Edward Vesterinen didn’t take much time to fit in with WVU Football.

The 6-foot-3, 282 pound defensive tackle played eight games during his true freshman season, and never would’ve taken a redshirt year were it not for a season ending injury suffered two games into 2024. An All-Big 12 honorable mention during the 2023 season, Vesterinen will anchor a new-look defensive line with experience and consistency.

Click here to learn more about Edward Vesterinen.

Jordan Walker / Redshirt Senior / Safety / 6-foot-0 / 195 pounds / Lafayette, Ala. / No. 4

One of the most experienced players in the Mountaineers’ retooled secondary, Jordan Walker transferred to WVU Football after spending the better part of five years at UT-Chattanooga.

A six-foot tall, 195-pound safety, Walker experienced plenty of success at the FCS level, picking off three passes in 2023 and earning Second Team All-Southern Conference honors last season.

One of three safeties with a solid chance of starting — along with Kekoura Tarnue and Darrian Lewis — Walker has soft hands and can also wrap up opposing players in their own backfield.

Click here to learn more about Jordan Walker.

Ryan Ward / Redshirt Freshman / Tight End / 6-foot-4 / 243 pounds / Rutherford, N.J. / No. 84

The WVU football program offered Ryan Ward out of high school, but he ended up committing to UNC during his initial recruiting cycle. He played four games for the Tar Heels in 2024, just enough to preserve a redshirt year, then hit the transfer portal following the spring practice period this offseason.

A 6-foot-4, 240-pound tight end, Ward will likely wait in the wings behind established veterans like Grayson Barnes and Jacob Barrett this season. However, with head coach Rich Rodriguez planning a renewed focus on the tight end position this season, Ward could still pick up some snaps.

Click here to learn more about Ryan Ward.

Armoni Weaver / Freshman / Wide Receiver / 5-foot-9 / 161 pounds / Spartanburg, S.C. / No. 25

Armoni Weaver committed to the WVU football program along with his brother, fellow three-star prospect ChaMarryus Bomar.

At 5-foot-9 and 167 pounds, Weaver starred at cornerback, wide receiver and on special teams during his time in high school. The Mountaineers signed him as a receiver after he caught 26 passes for 541 yards and seven touchdowns at the position during his senior year.

Practicing opposite his brother, a cornerback, adds a fascinating storyline to the Mountaineers’ locker room. Although receiver is one of the team’s deepest position groups, Weaver should grow into an excellent Swiss Army knife with WVU.

Click here to learn more about Armoni Weaver.

Jahiem White / Junior / Running Back / 5-foot-7 / 192 pounds / York, Pa. / No. 1

One of roughly two dozen Mountaineers to stick around following the coaching change from Neal Brown to Rich Rodriguez, Jahiem White also happens to be one of the best. The 5-foot-7, 190 pound junior picked up more than 960 yards last season while splitting carries with CJ Donaldson.

While WVU Football does have rushing talent around White once again — including quarterback Nicco Marchiol — he’s receiving mountains of hype heading into a potential NFL Draft year. A preseason First Team All-Big 12 pick who’s receiving hype as a Heisman Trophy dark horse, White should benefit from Rodriguez’s run-heavy offensive style… and the Mountaineers offense will likely run through him in 2025.

Click here to learn more about Jahiem White.

Khalil Wilkins / Redshirt Freshman / Quarterback / 6-foot-3 / 203 pounds / Washington, D.C. / No. 14

Khalil Wilkins committed to WVU Football under the Neal Brown regime because he liked the way they used their quarterbacks. Despite that specific connection, he decided to stick around following the hiring of Rich Rodriguez, giving the Mountaineers a 6-foot-3, 200-pound dual-threat quarterback with four seasons of eligibility remaining.

A three-star recruit who ESPN ranked as the No. 22 quarterback in his class, Wilkins won’t play much (if at all) this season as the Mountaineers opt for one of Nicco Marchiol and Jaylen Henderson under center. However, he could push for the starting role in 2026.

Click here to learn more about Khalil Wilkins.

Jarel Williams / Redshirt Junior / Wide Receiver / 6-foot-2 / 203 pounds / Saraland, Ala. / No. 10

While Jarel Williams hasn’t had the career one might’ve expected for a four-star receiving recruit, he’s still managed to turn himself into a contributor. The 6-foot-2, 203-pound junior played 13 games in each of the last two seasons, taking the vast majority of his snaps on special teams.

He recorded his first career catch in the Frisco Bowl at the end of the 2024 season, a 17 yard reception, and picked up one carry for five yards in 2023. However, it’s always possible a player with four-star talent could put it all together on the way to a breakout year.

Click here to learn more about Jarel Williams.

Chase Wilson / Redshirt Senior / Linebacker / 6-foot-1 / 230 pounds / Arvada, Colo. / No. 30

Ashton Woods / Redshirt Freshman / Linebacker / 6-foot-3 / 225 pounds / Marietta, Ga. / No. 33

Cooper Young / Redshirt Sophomore / Offensive Line / 6-foot-5 / 308 pounds / Downingtown, Pa. / No. 64

Walter Young Bear / Redshirt Senior / Offensive Line / 6-foot-3 / 306 pounds / Norman, Okla. / No. 54

Carter Zuliani / Freshman / Defensive Line / 6-foot-6 / 230 pounds / Bridgeport, W. Va. / No. 49

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