West Virginia wide receiver Cyrus Traugh has gone from a quiet part of the roster to a name Rich Rodriguez keeps circling back to this spring. That alone says plenty.
Traugh, a Parkersburg, WV native, logged just nine snaps in Big 12 play last season, and all of them came against Kansas. Now he’s positioned to be in the wide receiver rotation in 2026 after what’s been described as a serious rise in camp.
Inside receivers coach Logan Bradley didn’t hold back when talking about him on Friday.
“Man, Cyrus is a baller. I love, love Cyrus.
I love his demeanor, love his attitude. I love the way he’s been going to work this camp.
Love him, man. Like, Cyrus is my guy.
Love him to death," Bradley stated. "The way he’s been coming in to work, putting his head down on his development from last year to this year, it’s crazy.
I told some of my guys in my room, like, if y’all want to see somebody who developed and bought in and grown, it’s Cyrus. That’s the mark you need to kind of chase, whether you play or don’t play.
You want to get that work in, and I think that’s a guy who knows what’s at stake for him, and it means something to him. He’s been having a dang good camp.”
That kind of praise fits the trajectory he’s on. Traugh saw limited action in his first season, but he still turned into a major piece of the Penguins’ offense in 2024, finishing second on the team with 36 catches for 409 yards and five touchdowns. His best outing came against Pitt, when he posted four receptions for 87 yards and two scores.
The way things look now, he’s not locked into one spot. He’s worked both inside and outside, and that kind of flexibility makes him hard to keep off the field. Jaden Bray, Prince Strachan, and DJ Epps are the top three receivers in the room, but Traugh, UConn transfer John Neider, and LSU transfer TaRon Francis are all expected to get meaningful run.
For now, Traugh is listed as the No. 3 option at the Z behind Bray and Neider. And based on the way this spring has gone, it sounds like he’s not staying under the radar much longer.
In Other News...
Amari Latimer Is Giving WVU Fans A Reason To Feel Better
Amari Latimer has already done enough in spring and early fall camp to make West Virginia feel better about its backfield depth. The true freshman running back has drawn praise from Rich Rodriguez for both his performance and his physical tools, and the early buzz suggests he has moved well beyond the usual first-year learning curve. In a room that still runs through Cam Cook, Latimer has given the Mountaineers a younger option worth watching closely as the season approaches.
For WVU, the interest here is not just about a promising freshman making a few nice plays in camp. It is about whether Latimer can settle into a real role as the clear No. 2 back and give the offense a reliable second wave behind Cook. The projections around him point to a player who could be more than a change-of-pace option, and his style has already made him one of the more intriguing developments of the preseason, even if the real proof will have to come once the games start. [Read more 🡒]
Rich Rodriguez Still Has One Unusual WVU Roster Decision Left
Rich Rodriguez is still waiting on NCAA clarity before he can lock in West Virginias 2026 football roster, with the biggest questions hanging over fifth-year players and transfers. For now, the Mountaineers are in a holding pattern, and the uncertainty has left enough room for a few late roster decisions to shape how the group comes together heading into the season.
One of those decisions already has a notable twist, with tight end Jacob Barrick opting to move into a coaching position rather than continue playing, while cornerback Jason Chambers has returned to the team. Rodriguez has also left the door open to more additions if the numbers work out, and the last few spots could still be sorted in an unusual way before the roster is finally set. [Read more 🡒]
WVU Football Finally Has A Better Shot To Keep Its Core Together
West Virginias football program is in a much better place than it was not long ago when it comes to keeping its roster intact, and athletic director Wren Baker said the schools NIL investment has grown enough to change the conversation. After lagging behind in that area, WVU has ramped up its budget and is now spending in the top half of the Big 12, a shift that matters as much for retention as it does for recruiting. For a program trying to build something durable, that kind of financial footing can make the difference between developing a core and watching it scatter.
Bakers comments point to a quieter but important part of the Mountaineers offseason: the effort to hold on to players the staff believes can shape the next wave of success. The school has already pushed the budget higher again with retention in mind, a sign that the emphasis is no longer just on catching up but on staying competitive for its own talent. For WVU, the challenge now is turning that improved position into continuity, and that makes the players expected to anchor the future even more valuable. [Read more 🡒]