By: Justin Walker | WV Sports Chat
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – Per Pete Nakos of On3, West Virginia quarterback Nicco Marchiol is expected to seek a medical redshirt after this season and enter the transfer portal.
Marchiol started the first four games of the season for WVU, but missed the last game against Utah due to a foot injury.
The redshirt junior signal caller had a marquee moment against Pitt in week three. He started the game, but was replaced after halftime despite the team leading 7-3. Once the team fell behind 24-14 late in the second half, Marchiol came back into the game and led the team on two scoring drives in the fourth quarter to tie the game. He then led them on what would be the game-winning drive in overtime. The Mountaineers would go on to win the Backyard Brawl 31-24.
Nicco started again the following week at Kansas. West Virginia would go on to lose that game 41-10.
During a press conference the week after that loss, Rich Rodriguez reported that Marchiol had suffered a foot injury and was seeing a specialist in Colorado. He was then ruled out for the Utah game later that week.
Since then, a cloud of mystery hovered over the situation that left fans and the media speculating Marchiol’s next move.
It appears Pete Nakos gave fans that answer by reporting the following.
“West Virginia starting quarterback Nicco Marchiol is expected to medically redshirt, multiple sources tell On3. The current expectation is that Marchiol will enter the portal and have two years of eligibility remaining.”
Redshirt senior Jaylen Henderson started against Utah, but gave way to redshirt freshman Khalil Wilkins in the second half. Wilkins gave the Mountaineers a spark late in the game after being shut out in the first half.
With Henderson listed as questionable for the upcoming game against BYU on Saturday, it’s unclear who will get the start. Rich Rodriguez said his decision will be based on how the quarterbacks perform at practice this week.
Photo Credit: WVU Athletics
