West Virginia’s roster churn this offseason wasn’t just about who came and went. With only 33 returning players from last year’s team, the weight room numbers tell a pretty clear story about where a few guys are headed in 2026.
The biggest transformation belongs to offensive lineman Malik Agbo, who jumped from 275 to 292 pounds, a gain of 17. That’s the kind of move WVU needed from him.
He was listed at 300 pounds during his last season at Texas, then trimmed down last year - maybe too much, because he didn’t see the field as often as expected. Now back in the 290s, he’ll be counted on to hold up against Big 12 defensive linemen.
Ramond Kovalesky also added a lot of bulk, going from 264 to 280. Gabe Ryan climbed from 254 to 270, while quarterback Max Brown came in at 235 after being listed at 221.
Brown’s jump is especially interesting because of what it could mean for his role. The staff likes his athleticism and his running ability, so don’t be surprised if he gets used in short-yardage spots to sneak it and help protect Mike Hawkins Jr.
Defensive lineman Wilnerson Telemaque is another name that stands out. He went from 255 to 268, and that added weight matters.
He was a player with real upside coming out of high school, but he needed to get bigger. Now he should have a chance to work in a rotational role this season.
A few more players made notable gains as well: Troy Fischer went from 216 to 225, Cyrus Traugh from 188 to 196, Trevor Bigelow from 267 to 275, ChaMarryus Bomar from 184 to 191, Jayden Bell from 156 to 161, Andre Devine from 157 to 163, Taylor Brown from 290 to 295, Keyshawn Robinson from 185 to 190, Ashton Woods from 225 to 230, Nick Taylor from 189 to 193, and Armoni Weaver-Bomar from 167 to 170.
There were also several players who held steady at their listed weights: Max Anderson at 208, Scotty Fox Jr. at 213, Jaden Bray at 209, Ryan Ward at 240, Carter Zuliani at 254, Josh Aisosa at 325, Nick Krahe at 316, Landen Livingston at 293, Nate Gabriel at 295, Ben Cutter at 226, Cam Torbor at 239, Macquire Moss at 225, Kaden Seller at 261, and Nate Flower at 184.
On the flip side, some guys came in lighter. Andreas Hunter dropped from 310 to 306, Corey McIntyre Jr. went from 284 to 280, and Brandon Caesar had the biggest loss on the team, falling from 265 to 251.
Caesar is the one that really jumps off the page. The guess here is that WVU may be planning to move him to edge rusher, because 251 pounds doesn’t look like a playable weight in Big 12 action, and he’s always had the build of a pass rusher.
His position could be updated before the season starts.
In Other News...
Larry Fitzgerald Just Took A Brutal Shot At West Virginia
Larry Fitzgerald didnt exactly soften his old rivalry when he revisited West Virginia on a recent appearance on Pardon My Take. The former Pitt star leaned into the long-running Backyard Brawl tension, bringing up the kind of edge that has always made Pitt-West Virginia one of the nastier feuds in the sport and reminding listeners that his biggest moments against the Mountaineers came even when his team didnt walk away with the win.
For West Virginia fans, the comments were another reminder that the Pitt rivalry still has a way of surfacing old wounds, even while the series is on hiatus. The Backyard Brawl is set to return in 2029, and whenever it does, Fitzgeralds remarks will only add a little more fuel to a matchup that has never needed much help getting heated. [Read more 🡒]
WVU Has A 2027 Target Suddenly Changing The Recruiting Conversation
The EYBL Session IV stop in Las Vegas is giving West Virginia a useful early look at a 2027 class that is starting to take shape, and a few names tied to the Mountaineers have already stood out for different reasons. Paul Osaruyi has been productive enough for Arizona Unity with 7.8 points and 6.1 rebounds per game, while Javion Tyndale has been one of the more dynamic guards on the floor, averaging 19.3 points and 3.5 assists for UPLAY Canada as his team keeps winning.
The more interesting part for WVU is how quickly the conversation around this group can change once the live evaluations keep rolling in. Tyndales strong play has only added to the attention around him, and with a visit to Morgantown coming in early September, the Mountaineers have a real chance to deepen that connection. Osaruyi, meanwhile, still brings size and production, but the next round of recruiting talk may hinge on whether his efficiency catches up to the rest of his game. [Read more 🡒]
Rich Rodriguez May Have Found The Answer To WVUs Run Game
Rich Rodriguez went into the transfer portal looking for a way to jump-start West Virginias rushing attack, and he appears to have made running back Cam Cook the centerpiece of that effort. Cook arrives after leading the nation in rushing yards last season at Jacksonville State, which is exactly the kind of production Rodriguez wanted to plug into a ground game that has been a priority since he got back to Morgantown.
The fit is about more than one back, though. Rodriguez also brought in Jacksonville State offensive line coach Rick Trickett and added linemen Amare Grayson and Cam Griffin, giving the Mountaineers a familiar framework around Cook as he transitions into a new offense. If the run game is going to look the way Rodriguez envisions it, this is the group that will help determine how quickly it gets there. [Read more 🡒]