If there’s one thing Rich Rodriguez has proven time and again, it’s that when he’s got the right quarterback, his offense can hum with the best of them. Now back in charge at West Virginia, Rodriguez is looking to recapture some of that old magic-and in 2026, the Mountaineers could be in prime position to do just that.
This past season was a quarterback carousel in Morgantown. Four different players took snaps under center, and none managed to lock down the job long-term.
That kind of instability is tough for any offense, but it’s especially challenging in a system as dynamic and timing-dependent as Rodriguez’s. The good news?
Help could be on the way, thanks to the ever-active transfer portal.
Enter Marcus Stokes.
Stokes, who lit up the Division II landscape this fall at West Florida, is one of the more intriguing quarterback prospects currently in the portal. Originally a Florida commit, Stokes’ journey has been anything but straightforward. But on the field, his talent speaks volumes.
He threw for 3,297 yards and 30 touchdowns this season while adding 367 yards and 10 more scores on the ground. That kind of dual-threat production is tailor-made for a Rodriguez offense.
Think back to the Pat White days-Rodriguez thrives when he has a mobile quarterback who can stretch defenses both vertically and horizontally. Stokes fits that mold.
According to reports, Stokes has visits lined up with Memphis and Syracuse, but West Virginia is very much in the mix. And frankly, the fit makes a lot of sense.
The Mountaineers need stability at quarterback. Stokes needs a platform to showcase his skills at the FBS level.
Rodriguez needs a trigger man who can run his system with confidence and creativity. That’s a potential win-win-win.
Of course, Stokes’ story includes some off-field adversity. After a video surfaced of him using a racial slur, Florida rescinded their scholarship offer.
Stokes publicly apologized, and while that chapter can’t be ignored, he’s worked to rebuild his path-and his play this season shows he’s done just that. On the field, he was dominant in the D-II ranks, often looking like the best athlete out there by a wide margin.
Now, he’s ready to take that next step.
For West Virginia, landing a quarterback like Stokes could be a game-changer. Rodriguez’s offenses are at their best when the quarterback is both a playmaker and a decision-maker-someone who can improvise when the pocket breaks down but also execute the read-option and RPO game with precision. Stokes has shown he can do both.
The Mountaineers don’t need a savior-they need a steady hand at quarterback who can unlock the full potential of Rodriguez’s scheme. If Stokes ends up in Morgantown, don’t be surprised if things start to click in a big way.
The transfer portal is filled with possibilities, but few are as intriguing as this one. Keep an eye on Marcus Stokes. If he pairs up with Rich Rodriguez, West Virginia might just have their guy.