The quarterback picture at West Virginia has a clear headline for now: Oklahoma transfer Mike Hawkins Jr. is the guy. That part isn’t up for debate. The more interesting question is what this room looks like once Hawkins’ run is over, because the Mountaineers may already have the makings of something pretty solid behind him.
Scotty Fox Jr. is back as a sophomore after starting a handful of games, and the belief around him is straightforward - he has the tools to become a quality Power Four starter. But he’s not the only name worth tracking. WVU is also high on three true freshmen in Jyron Hughley, Wyatt Walker Brown, and John Johnson III.
Of that group, Hughley stands out as the one who could make the biggest climb. It wouldn’t be a shock if he finishes the season as the No. 3 quarterback and puts himself in position to become the backup in 2027, especially if Hawkins performs well enough to push Fox toward a transfer.
If Fox stays, that only strengthens the long-term outlook. WVU would still be sitting on a promising quarterback pipeline, and by the time Hawkins is done, the staff could be choosing between a pair of very interesting options to take over the offense. Even if one of the current freshmen leaves, the Mountaineers would still have another one in the mix, along with class of 2027 commit Andre Phillip II, who is also viewed as a talented prospect.
Fox, for his part, is still seen as someone who can eventually take over as QB1 down the road.
Hughley’s appeal starts with what he can do in the read/RPO game, and the staff is very comfortable with him there. In his senior season at Cardinal Newman High School in Florida, he rushed for over 1,500 yards and scored 19 times. That showed up again during his first spring at WVU, where he flashed the ability to make the correct read and create explosive plays with his legs when the play was there.
Max Brown could hold the No. 3 spot for much of the season, but because it’s his final year, the staff may naturally start pouring more of its developmental focus into Hughley as the year goes on. That could mean more practice reps later in the season.
None of it will happen automatically. Hughley will have to earn every bit of it, and the biggest area for growth is the passing game.
He needs more consistency there, and adding strength to his lean frame will matter too. The arm has to get stronger, but so does the lower body, which plays a major role in generating deep-ball power.
By late October or early November, he should be in a much better physical place.
The bottom line is that Hughley is closer to Fox and Max Brown than most people think.
In Other News...
West Virginia Fans Have Plenty To Debate In EAs Madden Ratings
West Virginia fans got a fresh offseason talking point this week with the release of EA Sports Madden ratings for nine former Mountaineers currently in the game. The list gives the fan base plenty to sort through, from which alumni earned the highest marks to which current NFL team each player now represents, and it naturally invites the same kind of side-by-side debate that follows any ratings reveal tied to a college pipeline as deep as West Virginias.
The bigger wrinkle is that the roster may not be finished yet. A few former Mountaineers are still absent, including Rasul Douglas, who signed with the Washington Commanders after the games roster likely had already been set, and there is still a chance some late additions could surface before the end of August. For a fan base that tracks its pros closely, that leaves the conversation open a little longer. [Read more 🡒]
West Virginias Forward Outlook Now Hinges On A Fight Still Unsettled
West Virginias roster planning has picked up an extra layer of uncertainty as Brenen Lorient and Javan Buchanan look to extend their college careers. Their eligibility status matters well beyond the paperwork, because the Mountaineers are trying to map out a future under Ross Hodge while holding enough flexibility to manage what comes next in the frontcourt and beyond.
A U.S. District Judge recently granted a preliminary injunction that gave members of the 2022 class a path to a fifth year, and Hodge has said he is cautiously optimistic given how similar cases have been trending. Still, the situation is far from settled, and the appeal now hanging over the ruling leaves West Virginia waiting on a decision that could shape how much experience the roster keeps for another season. [Read more 🡒]
WVU Just Made A Money Move Fans Will Definitely Notice
West Virginias athletic department has added a new corporate backer in a move that will be impossible to miss on game day. Antero Resources and WVU have agreed to a five-year partnership that puts the companys name and logo on a sponsor patch for every Mountaineer team, with the patch placed on the left shoulder panel and designed to meet Nikes specifications.
The deal goes beyond a simple uniform add-on. Antero Resources also will be involved with WVU players in branding and marketing efforts, giving the partnership a broader reach across the department. For a program that is always looking for ways to strengthen its financial footing and presentation, it is another visible sign of how college athletics keeps evolving. [Read more 🡒]