West Virginia’s roster churn this offseason wasn’t just about who came and went. With only 33 returning players from last year’s team, the weight room numbers tell a pretty clear story about where a few guys are headed in 2026.
The biggest transformation belongs to offensive lineman Malik Agbo, who jumped from 275 to 292 pounds, a gain of 17. That’s the kind of move WVU needed from him.
He was listed at 300 pounds during his last season at Texas, then trimmed down last year - maybe too much, because he didn’t see the field as often as expected. Now back in the 290s, he’ll be counted on to hold up against Big 12 defensive linemen.
Ramond Kovalesky also added a lot of bulk, going from 264 to 280. Gabe Ryan climbed from 254 to 270, while quarterback Max Brown came in at 235 after being listed at 221.
Brown’s jump is especially interesting because of what it could mean for his role. The staff likes his athleticism and his running ability, so don’t be surprised if he gets used in short-yardage spots to sneak it and help protect Mike Hawkins Jr.
Defensive lineman Wilnerson Telemaque is another name that stands out. He went from 255 to 268, and that added weight matters.
He was a player with real upside coming out of high school, but he needed to get bigger. Now he should have a chance to work in a rotational role this season.
A few more players made notable gains as well: Troy Fischer went from 216 to 225, Cyrus Traugh from 188 to 196, Trevor Bigelow from 267 to 275, ChaMarryus Bomar from 184 to 191, Jayden Bell from 156 to 161, Andre Devine from 157 to 163, Taylor Brown from 290 to 295, Keyshawn Robinson from 185 to 190, Ashton Woods from 225 to 230, Nick Taylor from 189 to 193, and Armoni Weaver-Bomar from 167 to 170.
There were also several players who held steady at their listed weights: Max Anderson at 208, Scotty Fox Jr. at 213, Jaden Bray at 209, Ryan Ward at 240, Carter Zuliani at 254, Josh Aisosa at 325, Nick Krahe at 316, Landen Livingston at 293, Nate Gabriel at 295, Ben Cutter at 226, Cam Torbor at 239, Macquire Moss at 225, Kaden Seller at 261, and Nate Flower at 184.
On the flip side, some guys came in lighter. Andreas Hunter dropped from 310 to 306, Corey McIntyre Jr. went from 284 to 280, and Brandon Caesar had the biggest loss on the team, falling from 265 to 251.
Caesar is the one that really jumps off the page. The guess here is that WVU may be planning to move him to edge rusher, because 251 pounds doesn’t look like a playable weight in Big 12 action, and he’s always had the build of a pass rusher.
His position could be updated before the season starts.
In Other News...
WVU Fans Finally Get One Recruiting Showcase They Cannot Miss
For West Virginia basketball fans who have been waiting for a real recruiting event worth circling, the Peach Jam should deliver one starting July 14 in North Augusta, S.C. The EYBL finals bring 24 teams into the mix with a path to the final eight, and this years field is loaded with names the Mountaineers have been tracking closely.
Among the most relevant stops is a first-day matchup involving Team Thad and UPLAY Canada, which puts two WVU point guard targets on the same stage right away. Arizona Unity is in the field, too, giving the Mountaineers another look at a group that includes five-star big man Paul Osaruyi along with several other players who already hold West Virginia offers. [Read more 🡒]
WVU Just Learned Its First Big November Test
West Virginia now has a better sense of what its November will look like, with the Players Era Mens Basketball Championships setting up another high-profile test in Las Vegas. The event, backed by Players Era, EverWonder Studio and MGM Resorts International, will bring 24 teams together in November 2026 across Michelob ULTRA Arena and T-Mobile Arena, with recent national champions among the field and separate brackets for the Players Era 8 and Players Era 16.
For the Mountaineers, the first-round assignment in the Players Era 8 adds an early measuring-stick game to a month that already figures to carry plenty of weight. The tournament schedule has been laid out, and the matchup comes with a late-night tip on Tuesday, Nov. 17, in a setting that should feel more like a showcase than a neutral-site afterthought, even before the rest of the bracket fully comes into focus. [Read more 🡒]
WVU Fans Are Not Going To Like This Tip Time
West Virginias trip to the Players Era event in Las Vegas comes with the kind of tip time that will test even the most loyal Mountaineers fans back home. The opener is set for 9 p.m. local time on Nov. 17, which means a midnight start in the Eastern time zone, and the event will keep rolling with additional games on the following days at varying start times.
There is at least some financial upside to the late-night inconvenience, since participants are guaranteed a minimum of $1 million in NIL compensation with more available based on placement. The Big 12 also has locked in future bids for top teams in the event, and West Virginia is set to be back in 2027-28 after last seasons top-eight finish in the league. [Read more 🡒]