By: Clark Johnson | WV Sports Chat
Morgantown, WV – Now that the transfer portal window is closed, it is time to look ahead to spring football. The WVU Football program will be going into year two of Rich Rodriguez 2.0. Today, I am going to take a look at 3 MAJOR STORYLINES to watch for in the spring for the Mountaineers.
With much of the roster being turned over once again, there will be many questions that need answered in 2026. However, these will be the most vital to the program’s success heading into the fall.
- #1 – Quarterback Battle: For the second year in a row, there will be a quarterback competition in Morgantown. This time, Scotty Fox and Michael Hawkins Jr. will be going head-to-head to be the starting signal-caller against Coastal Carolina. While there likely won’t be any answers when things conclude in the Gold-Blue Spring Showcase, fans will watch the quarterbacks closely to try to form their own opinions. PREDICTION: Scotty Fox wins competition
- #2 – Defensive Rotation: Zac Alley’s defensive unit will once again have many new faces in 2026. After struggling for much of the 2025 season, fans will be eagerly awaiting to see how newcomers fit into the scheme this spring. As with the quarterback battle, there will be no definitive answers to this coming out of spring. However, fans will once again nitpick the spring showcase to try to determine who will and won’t be a playmaker in the fall. PREDICTION: Improvement, but some to be desired
- #3 – Running Backs/Offensive Line: The WVU running back room will be vastly different in 2026. Gone are Jahiem White, Tye Edwards, Diore Hubbard, and Cyncir Bowers. Coming in will be Cam Cook (Jacksonville State) in the transfer portal, and freshmen Amari Latimer and SirPaul Cheeks, among others. Despite Cook being a top returning player in college football, per CBS Sports, this group will likely only go as far as the offensive line. Rick Trickett returns to Morgantown with a plethora of incoming talent in the trenches. Spring, again, will give no definitive answers, but fans will be looking for improvement up front with WVU’s offense. PREDICTION: Offensive line displays improvement, Cam Cook has monster season
(Photo by WVU Athletics)
