Finding a real role at West Virginia is never easy for a player in Andre Devine’s spot, and this fall camp is no exception.
The running back has been getting mention from Rich Rodriguez all offseason, even when the coach wasn’t specifically asked about him. Rodriguez kept pointing out that Devine has made plays in spring and again early in camp, and on Friday he doubled down on that praise.
“I like some of our younger backs that we brought in, and even little Andre Devine has shown flashes. He’s a competitive guy.
He’s a smaller guy. He’s even smaller than his old man, but he’s a good football player.
I like the room right now.”
That kind of praise matters, but it also comes with a reality check. Devine is still a long shot to carve out a major offensive role in 2026.
He was barely a factor in last year’s running back group after arriving about a week into fall camp, and even with injuries opening doors, he never got on the field. The bigger issue was always physical development - he needed time in the weight room before he could handle the level.
West Virginia’s summer roster listed him at 163 pounds, which was up six pounds from the year before. The latest listing has him at 160, so the progress is there, but he still has work to do before he can truly be part of the main backfield rotation.
That room looks set to be driven by Cam Cook and Amari Latimer, with Martavious Boswell and freshmen Chris Talley and Lawrence Autry also in the mix. Autry has been easy to overlook since he enrolled in the summer and came in with Latimer in the same class, but at 5-foot-10 and 221 pounds, he brings size that could earn him a few carries even if he ends up as RB5.
For Devine, the cleanest path to making an impact this fall may come on special teams. Kickoff and punt return duties could be the opening that gets him onto the field without asking him to carry a full offensive load.
In Other News...
WVU's Left Tackle Battle Is Taking A Surprising Turn
Early fall camp has already started to clarify the shape of West Virginias offensive line, and Rick Tricketts latest media session offered a revealing snapshot of where things stand. He walked through the early progression up front, mentioning names such as Wes King, Kevin Brown, Nick Krahe and others while explaining how the group is sorting out its jobs and responsibilities as camp unfolds.
The most interesting wrinkle is the way the left tackle competition appears to be trending, with a true freshman emerging as a serious factor in the mix. Tricketts depth chart is still very much a work in progress, and the lineup he discussed reflects where players stood after the first stretch of fall practices rather than anything locked in for opening day. Still, the way the line is coming together suggests there is already a clearer pecking order than many expected, even if the final combination remains subject to change. [Read more 🡒]
Wren Baker Just Gave WVU Fans A Major Reason To Believe
West Virginias athletics department has spent the past few years building real momentum under Wren Baker, and the latest financial markers suggest that progress is no fluke. The budget has climbed past $150 million, a jump of about 50% over three years, while the Mountaineers have also set a new fundraising record with $111 million in philanthropic support.
For a fan base that wants proof the department can compete at a higher level, the most encouraging part may be how broad the growth has been. WVU also brought in $20.7 million in ticket revenue for FY26, the first time the school has topped $20 million in back-to-back years, a sign that interest and support are translating into steady cash flow as the Mountaineers try to strengthen their footing across the board. [Read more 🡒]
Rich Rodriguez Wants West Virginia To Practice Like Modern Football
The push to reshape college footballs offseason has found a willing supporter in Morgantown, where Rich Rodriguez has made clear he likes the direction of the sports latest practice proposal. The FBS Oversight Committees plan would replace the current setup with two out-of-season practice windows and cap the total at 21 on-field sessions, while also trimming the preseason from 25 practices over a 27-day span to a shorter ramp-up.
For Rodriguez, the appeal is less about tradition than fit, with the West Virginia coach sounding comfortable with a system that looks a little more like the NFL. Coaches have long searched for a way to balance development, recovery and the grind of a long season, and this proposal is aimed at doing exactly that. Whether it gets traction is still a separate question, but it already has at least one prominent Mountaineer voice nodding in agreement. [Read more 🡒]