As the dust settles on the 2025 football season, with Rich Rodriguez back at the helm, West Virginia University (WVU) fans are turning their attention to what lies ahead. After a 4-8 season, the Mountaineers are looking to shake things up and put together a squad ready to make some noise in 2026.
With spring practice in the books, it's time to dive into the projected depth chart for the upcoming season. This lineup will evolve throughout the offseason, but let's break down where things stand as of now.
First up, some notable updates. As of June 27th, Wes King has taken the top spot at center, a crucial position anchoring the offensive line.
Just a month prior, on May 23rd, there were some significant changes in the safety department. Andrew Powdrell is now slated to start, thanks to his impressive testing times that caught the coaching staff's eye.
Coach Rodriguez himself mentioned Powdrell was ready to hit the ground running the moment he arrived on campus. That's a glowing endorsement if ever there was one.
Rewinding a bit, on April 20th, adjustments were made based on performances in spring ball and the spring showcase. These changes reflect the ongoing evaluation process as the coaching staff fine-tunes the roster.
Back on March 13th, official heights and weights were updated, leading to some strategic repositioning of players. This is all part of ensuring the team is optimized for both size and skill.
February brought some exciting additions to the roster. JUCO defensive back Tim Roberson joined the Mountaineers, and Shane Cornali transferred in from Wheeling University, reuniting with high school teammate Matt Sieg. On January 24th, safety Kameron Reddic committed to WVU, while some players were removed from the roster due to eligibility issues.
January was a busy month for recruiting, with several players committing to WVU. Among them were fullback Kayden Luke, linebacker Jason Hall, and EDGE rusher Zeke Campbell.
On January 16th, the Mountaineers welcomed a host of new faces, including Oregon EDGE Tobi Haastrup, LSU safety Jacob Bradford, and Kent State cornerback Jaire Rawlison. However, incoming freshman defensive end Kamdon Gillespie was released from his National Letter of Intent.
The transfer portal was buzzing with activity as well. Offensive linemen Brandon Homady and Mickel Clay decided to transfer out, while tight end Cam Ball transferred in. Wyoming offensive guard Wes King and LSU wide receiver TaRon Francis also committed to WVU.
The new year kicked off with a flurry of commitments. UNLV cornerback Andrew Powdrell, BGSU EDGE David Afogho, Memphis safety Kamari Wilson, FAU linebacker Tyler Stolsky, and KSU offensive lineman Devin Vass all signed on to bolster the Mountaineers' ranks.
On January 6th, wide receiver Prince Strachan transferred from USC, and running back Cam Cook from Jacksonville State followed suit. Illinois linebacker Malachi Hood joined the mix, while UNLV linebacker Isaiah Patterson also announced his transfer to WVU. It was a whirlwind day of announcements, with wide receiver DJ Epps from Troy committing as well.
The beginning of January saw quarterback Michael Hawkins Jr., cornerbacks Maliek Hawkins and Geimere Latimer II, all from power-4 programs, pledge their allegiance to WVU. Defensive lineman Will LeBlanc also committed, even as wide receiver Christian Hamilton decided to transfer out.
As the year began, the Mountaineers saw several players opting to transfer, including BANDIT Keenan Eck, wide receiver Jordan McCants, and tight end Noah Braham. This trend continued with wide receiver Rodney Gallagher III and defensive lineman Asani Redwood seeking opportunities elsewhere.
The tail end of 2025 was marked by a series of expected transfers, including BAN Marshon Oxley, running back Cyncir Bowers, and defensive lineman Elijah Simmons. Updates continued with wide receiver Jarel Williams and interior offensive lineman Donovan Haslam, as well as defensive back Israel Boyce, offensive lineman Xavier Bausley, and wide receiver Cam Vaughn.
As the Mountaineers gear up for the 2026 season, the roster is a dynamic work in progress. With a mix of fresh faces and seasoned players, the team is poised to build on the foundation laid in 2025. Stay tuned as the depth chart continues to evolve, promising an exciting season ahead for WVU fans.
In Other News...
Mike Hawkins Jr. Just Put Two WVU Defenders On Notice
Quarterback Mike Hawkins Jr. already has a feel for which West Virginia defensive backs could shape the coming season, and two names he singled out stand out for different reasons. Chams Diagne brings the kind of length and coverage ability that can change how an offense attacks, while Geimere Latimer has the reputation of a disciplined piece who should be steady in the back end.
For WVU, the intrigue is in how much more each player can add beyond the basics. Diagne still has to prove he can finish plays better in space and hold up against the run, while Latimer is being counted on to bring more pressure and handle a bigger share of the dirty work near the line. With the defense still sorting out its identity for 2026, those two may end up mattering as much for what they can prevent as for what they can create. [Read more 🡒]
WVU Finally Landed The In-State Addition Fans Have Been Waiting For
West Virginia has added a familiar name with real upside in Alexis Bordas, the Wheeling native who is coming home after one season at Duquesne. Bordas made an immediate impact as a freshman, averaging 15.5 points and 3.1 rebounds per game while earning a spot on the A-10 All-Rookie Team, giving the Mountaineers a local player who already arrives with proven production.
For a fan base that has been waiting to see a West Virginia-born player in the womens basketball program again, Bordas checks a box that goes beyond the numbers. She brings four years of eligibility under the new rules, which gives WVU a chance to build around her for more than just the short term, and it adds another layer of intrigue to how the roster will take shape moving forward. [Read more 🡒]
West Virginia Still Has One Running Back Problem It Did Not Fix
West Virginia spent the summer trying to stir some movement in its running back recruiting board, hosting several official visitors and hoping to chip away at a depth chart that needed attention. The visits brought plenty of activity, but the end result was more mixed than transformational, with the Mountaineers cycling through the usual recruiting churn without truly changing the shape of the room.
One prospect ended up at Houston, another came to West Virginia but fit more as a receiver than a true back, and a third briefly pledged to the Mountaineers before moving on to Auburn. Tylek Lewis is still out there as an uncommitted option, but for now the bigger takeaway is simple enough for West Virginia: after all those visits, the running back situation looks the same as it did before the June official period began. [Read more 🡒]