West Virginia’s path to a Big 12 title in 2026 is there in theory, but it’s a long shot right now.
That’s the reality when a roster is turning over the way this one is. With more than 80 new players in the mix, the Mountaineers are dealing with the usual growing pains: chemistry, system familiarity, and the work of building the culture the staff wants. Still, a middle-of-the-pack finish in the league would count as a workable season, and the bigger question is how close they are to becoming a real contender.
The answer depends on what West Virginia can keep, what it can develop, and what it can add. In today’s college football, a team can make a sudden leap with one strong year of growth and a good run in the transfer portal. But that kind of jump usually starts with pieces already in place, and West Virginia does appear to have that at several spots - especially on offense.
Mike Hawkins Jr. is at the center of that optimism. He still has to prove it, but he has the look of a player who can become a star in this system.
Rich Rodriguez and the staff are eager to see what he can do, because his skill set gives the offense another layer it didn’t show in 2025. He has three years of eligibility left, which makes it fair to think West Virginia can stay in the Big 12 conversation during his time there.
The backfield also gives the Mountaineers some direction. Cam Cook is likely headed to the NFL after this season, though he could return if he wants to.
Under the new age-based eligibility model, he would still have eligibility for 2027. If he does move on, West Virginia still has a potential next feature back in Amari Latimer, who should have a full season of experience by then.
Behind him, JUCO transfer Martavious Boswell and freshmen Chris Talley and Lawrence Autry give the staff more chances to find another answer, and if that group doesn’t produce, the portal remains an option.
At receiver, the talent is there, even if the production hasn’t fully arrived yet. Prince Strachan, TaRon Francis, Keon Hutchins, Kedrick Triplett, John Neider, Armoni Weaver-Bomar, and Cyrus Traugh all have multiple seasons left, which gives the room some real staying power.
Up front, Rick Trickett’s return should settle a lot of nerves. The line may not be finished product in 2026, but it is moving in the right direction, and the staff has a group it can keep building around. Four of the five projected starters - Carsten Casady, Nick Krahe, Amare Grayson, and Kevin Brown - are also expected to be back in 2027.
Defense is where the roster still needs more work. West Virginia has to get bigger and longer to stand up to the more physical teams in the Big 12.
Right now, the defensive line averages just under 280 pounds, though some of that should improve naturally as players spend more time with Mike Joseph in the weight room. Nate Gabriel and Corey McIntyre Jr. are close to 300 pounds, and a few others are trending that way too.
The bigger issue is athleticism and speed. The freshman class helped in that area, but the transfer group did not address it as much.
West Virginia chose production and experience over pure traits, bringing in players who fit the scheme rather than gambling on faster options without the same track record. That approach should shift next offseason, once Zac Alley has a chance to show what this defense can do and make the portal more attractive to outside talent.
On paper, the nickel/sam and safety groups look solid. Cornerback is the area that still raises the most concern.
The staff added size and length there to avoid getting “Moss’d” as much as they did in 2025, but the position still demands clean coverage and strong ball skills. The corners may end up being better than people expect, but for now, that’s the spot that looks the least settled.
In Other News...
No Big 12 Game Means More To West Virginia Than Pitt
West Virginias move to shift its 2027 game against Ohio into Week 0 has done more than tidy up the schedule. Athletic director Wren Bakers announcement immediately stirred fresh talk about the Backyard Brawl, because any opening on the calendar naturally invites a look at whether Pitt could be brought back into the mix sooner than expected.
The idea is easy to understand for Mountaineer fans, who still treat the rivalry as one of the programs defining games even after the move to the Big 12. But an earlier renewal would still require changes to existing agreements, and the schedule shuffle alone does not make it likely. For now, the Brawl remains the kind of game West Virginia wants back, even if the path to getting it is still complicated. [Read more 🡒]
Rick Trickett's Return Puts One Huge WVU O-Line Question Front And Center
Rich Rodriguezs decision to bring Rick Trickett back into the West Virginia offensive line room instantly changes the conversation up front, because this is no longer just about teaching technique or shuffling bodies. It is about whether the Mountaineers can get back to the kind of line play that lets the run game carry the offense, and the staff is already sorting through a group with a mix of returning pieces, new roles and a few players who may wind up in very different spots than where they started.
The biggest question now is how the line settles once camp and competition really take hold, with the center job and the tackle spots drawing particular attention. There is also real intrigue around how quickly the younger linemen can be trusted, especially if one of them is pushed into a starting role sooner than expected, because the answer there could shape not just protection but the entire identity of the offense this fall. [Read more 🡒]
WVU Freshmen Are Already Threatening To Shake Up The 2026 Depth Chart
West Virginias 2026 roster picture is already getting a little crowded in the right places, and that is exactly why a handful of true freshmen are worth watching. The Mountaineers have uncertainty across several spots, from the secondary to the defensive front and even along the offensive line, which has opened the door for young players to push for roles sooner than expected as they develop through the offseason.
The most interesting part is how varied those paths look. One freshman defensive back could work into the rotation, a young lineman is close enough to sniff meaningful snaps, and a safetys outlook shifted after a spring move elsewhere on the roster. There is also a running back situation that may not fully sort itself out until later, while one offensive lineman has a real chance to be in the mix right away depending on how the early competition shakes out. [Read more 🡒]