West Virginia’s season opener against Coastal Carolina is set up as more than just a Week 1 matchup. When the two teams meet in Morgantown one week from Saturday, there will be a familiar feel to it for a handful of people on both sidelines.
Two former Mountaineers are coming back to their old home field as opponents. On the other side, two current Mountaineers - one player and one administrator - will face a school they know well. It’s not a full-on reunion in the sense of old teammates lining up against each other, but there are still several personal ties woven into the game.
One of the returning names is Onwuka, whose path away from West Virginia made sense once the fit no longer lined up. He never appeared in a game last season for Coastal Carolina and is now working for a rotational role. The expectation is that he probably won’t crack the two-deep, though there’s still a decent chance he sees the field at some point next Saturday.
Henry’s stay in Morgantown was brief as well. He redshirted at WVU and then played sparingly for the Chanticleers last season, showing up in 11 games and logging 10 tackles, including six solo stops.
Five of those tackles came on special teams, and he also played 57 defensive snaps. He looks positioned for a backup role again this year, but he appears closer to becoming a factor than Onwuka.
The most prominent former Coastal Carolina player in the game may be Durham-Campbell, who was the Chanticleers’ most productive pass rusher a year ago. He piled up 37 pressures, 20 hurries, 12 QB hits and 5.5 sacks, all team highs, while posting a 23.1% win rate that was described as elite. Now he’s projected to start at defensive end for West Virginia and could wind up as the top player on the Mountaineers’ defense this fall under Zac Alley.
The ties don’t stop with the roster, either. West Virginia President Michael T.
Benson also has a Coastal Carolina connection, having served as the school’s third president from January 1, 2021 through July 7, 2025 before taking over at WVU for E. Gordon Gee.
In Other News...
Nicco Marchiols Next Setback Will Hit Home For WVU Fans
Aidan Chiles is set to open the season as Northwesterns starting quarterback after beating out Nicco Marchiol for the job, a development that will feel familiar to West Virginia fans who have followed Marchiols winding path. Chiles brings a skill set that fits Northwesterns offense, while Marchiols profile has been shaped by his recent foot injury and the flashes he showed before, the kind of resume that keeps a quarterback conversation alive even when he is not the current starter.
For West Virginia supporters, Marchiols latest setback lands with a little extra sting because of what he chose to do after arriving in Morgantown. He stayed through a coaching change, a sign of both loyalty and belief that his opportunity could still come. There is still a route back for him if Chiles does not seize the job, and that possibility keeps Marchiol firmly on the radar for anyone watching how the quarterback picture develops. [Read more 🡒]
West Virginia Freshmen Are Already Pushing For Roles That Matter
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For a program trying to build depth and find reliable special teams help, that kind of early traction matters. The Mountaineers do not need every first-year player to become an instant contributor, but the fact that several freshmen are already competing for real roles gives the staff more options as camp continues. Whether it is a snap on offense, a package on defense or a spot covering kicks, West Virginia has at least opened the door for this class to matter before long. [Read more 🡒]
WVU Has A Crucial Secondary Question Heading Into 2026
West Virginias cornerback room is one of the more interesting position groups on the roster heading toward 2026, largely because it blends experience, new faces and plenty of upside. The staff has a mix of transfers and freshmen to sort through, and the group comes with a range of backgrounds, body types and previous production that should make spring and summer evaluation especially important.
The challenge now is turning that collection of traits into a reliable unit, because the Mountaineers need more than just athletic potential on the perimeter. Coaches will be looking for who can handle the speed of the position, who can clean up the rough edges and who is ready to contribute when the games start to matter, even if the final pecking order is still far from settled. [Read more 🡒]