By: Clark Johnson | WV Sports Chat
Morgantown, WV – Yesterday, WVU head football coach Rich Rodriguez spoke to the media to open the program’s spring practice session. Despite taking multiple questions regarding various aspects of the team, the one that has everyone talking was about the quarterback. According to Rodriguez, it will be a three-man race to take the reins of the offense going into 2026.
While fans expect Scotty Fox and Michael Hawkins Jr. to be serious contenders, can the same be said about redshirt senior Max Brown? Was this a genuine remark by Coach Rodriguez or simply coach’s talk?
Well, if history tells us anything, Rodriguez is serious in his sentiment.
Last season, the Mountaineers rotated five quarterbacks – Brown being one of them. Though some of this can be attributed to injuries, it just seemed as if Rodriguez could never settle on one guy.
Coming to WVU by way of Charlotte, Brown appeared in only two games for the Mountaineers last fall. In those appearances, his contributions were limited. The Oklahoma native accumulated only 7 passing yards, 23 rushing yards, and 0 touchdowns with 1 interception. Regardless of a hamstring injury that hampered Brown’s redshirt junior campaign, the coaching staff never appeared to fully trust Brown in the offense.
So how can he be a serious contender to start in 2026?
That answer is simple – it is a clean slate of everyone. Rodriguez loves competition across all positions on offense and defense. The three quarterbacks – Fox, Hawkins, and Brown – will receive a fair shot to take control of the offense from square one. Whether or not Brown can make any noise in the quarterback room remains to be seen.
Stay tuned to WV Sports Chat all spring for updates on the quarterback situation for WVU Football.
(Photo by WVU Football)
