West Virginia has settled the quarterback question for its season opener, and the answer is Mike Hawkins Jr.
Hawkins will start against Coastal Carolina today, making official what had been the expectation in Morgantown for quite a while. Rich Rodriguez had kept the decision under wraps, but the wait is over now, and Hawkins is the man for the Mountaineers in 2026.
The staff had Hawkins at the top of its transfer portal big board from the beginning, and once he committed and signed, the job was his to lose if he could master the offense, step into a leadership role and show he could be a dynamic presence. He checked those boxes quickly, first in the spring and even before that with his work in the weight room over the winter.
There’s a real belief here that West Virginia can start moving in the right direction with Hawkins leading the way. He’s been getting plenty of preseason buzz, but the point of that has been to show just how talented he is.
Nationally, he hasn’t gotten much attention, and the people who do mention him often reduce him to a runner. That’s a lazy read on what kind of quarterback he actually is.
At the same time, this is still year one. The bar is not for Hawkins to show up and suddenly become the second coming of Pat White while winning 11 games.
If that happens, it would mean West Virginia is ahead of schedule. For now, the goal is simpler: be competitive every week, turn in some strong performances, win enough games to become bowl-eligible and build toward a bigger push in 2027.
Hawkins and the Mountaineers open the 2026 campaign against Coastal Carolina at 12 p.m. ET, with the game set for TNT.
In Other News...
WVU Passing Game Takes An Early Hit Before The Opener
West Virginias passing game will open the season without one of its key pieces, as wide receiver Prince Strachan is set to miss the opener against Coastal Carolina because of a shoulder injury. Rich Rodriguez said Strachan is expected to be sidelined for a couple of weeks, which forces the Mountaineers to make an early adjustment at a position group that was already worth watching heading into Week 1.
Jaden Bray has been moved into the X role, while John Neider will start at Z, giving the staff a different look right out of the gate. For a WVU offense trying to find rhythm early, the setback is a reminder that the first depth-chart decisions of the season can change fast, and the opener may offer a first glimpse at how the receivers respond to the shuffle. [Read more 🡒]
West Virginia Suddenly Has A Big Darius Wiley Concern
West Virginias season opener against Coastal Carolina brought an early defensive concern when Darius Wiley left the field injured and had to be carted off. The extent of the issue was not immediately clear afterward, and the Mountaineers still had not offered an official diagnosis by the end of the game.
Wiley entered the 2026 season as a notable addition to West Virginias defense, which makes the uncertainty around his status especially important for a unit that was counting on him to help set the tone up front. For now, the Mountaineers are left waiting for more clarity on a player who was supposed to be part of their defensive answer this fall. [Read more 🡒]
Pat White Is About To Get A West Virginia Honor Fans Love
West Virginia is set to add another name to its wall of honors before the 2026 season opener against Coastal Carolina, with Pat Whites jersey number being retired in a ceremony that figures to hit home for a fan base that still remembers his days as the face of the program. White will become the seventh Mountaineer football player to have his number retired, a fitting marker for a quarterback whose college career included plenty of the kind of big-game moments that made him one of the most beloved players in school history.
There is also a modern wrinkle attached to the tribute, with senior wide receiver Jaden Bray wearing No. 5 this season with Whites permission. It gives the number a current presence while the school prepares to formally honor one of its most iconic players, and it adds a little extra intrigue to a fall that already has a ceremonial feel around Morgantown. [Read more 🡒]