WVU Football Looking at Elite Division II QB Hoping for Second Chance

Count the WVU football program among the long list of schools interested in a finalist for a prestigious Division II award.

While he’s yet to officially reveal any of the schools he’s talking to, On3 Sports reports West Virginia has reached out to West Florida quarterback Marcus Stokes since he entered the transfer portal on Dec. 3.

Stokes (6-foot-2 and 215 pounds) has also earned interest from Akron, Appalachian State, Boston College, Buffalo, Charlotte, Delaware, Eastern Kentucky, Florida State, Iowa, James Madison, Kennesaw State, Liberty, Miami (OH), North Texas, Northwestern, Old Dominion, Sacramento State, Syracuse, UAB, UTEP and even Wisconsin.

Officially in the NCAA Transfer Portal. pic.twitter.com/flILrV1CnI

— Marcus Stokes (@marcusstokes06) December 3, 2025

Once viewed as a four-star prospect out of high school in 2022, Stokes saw Florida pull his offer after video surfaced that showed he used a racial slur while singing lyrics from a rap song. He was also heavily recruited by Penn State.

The controversy cost Stokes the opportunity to play Division I football within a Power Four conference, but his success at West Florida seems to have created the possibility of a second chance.

In 2025, Stokes completed 223-of-368 passes for 3,297 yards and threw 30 touchdowns to only 13 interceptions. He even ran for 367 yards with 10 more scores on the ground. Stokes is a finalists for the Harlon Hill Award – the Division II equivalent of the Heisman Trophy.

Despite Scotty Fox showing flashes of being a quality starting quarterback, it’s clear Rich Rodriguez still wants to bring in another signal caller to compete to lead the Mountaineers in 2026.

Find more coverage of WVU football recruiting on WV Sports Now.