By: Clark Johnson | WV Sports Chat
Morgantown, WV – With college football quickly approaching, Mountaineer fans are beginning to speculate who will be the program’s starting quarterback this fall. While that answer will likely be either Scotty Fox or Michael Hawkins Jr., the door is now open for other players to see time at signal-caller.
In a Q&A with ESPN’s Pete Thamel, WVU head coach Rich Rodriguez discussed many question marks surrounding his program going into the second year of his second stint. In an article that featured a vast array of topics such as the offensive line, quarterbacks, and defense, Rodriguez also addressed newcomers that he believes can help the team right away. Matt Sieg, a 247Sports four-star prospect that the Mountaineers flipped from Penn State last moment, was a freshman that received gleaming praise from Rodriguez.
Here is what Rodriguez had to say about Sieg’s role in the program in 2026:
“He’s looked very comfortable at safety, just like we thought we’d be. And he might play some offense, too.”
With Sieg’s high school career, it is not surprising that he also has the potential to be featured on offense. What did catch some folks off guard, however, is how Rodriguez plans to utilize the Pennsylvania native on offense.
Thamel asked Rodriguez if fans can expect Sieg to receive playing time at receiver. The soon-to-be 63-year old confirmed this idea, but also added an unexpected wrinkle.
“Yeah, or the slot or even quarterback and special packages and stuff like that. So he played quarterback in high school.”
This fall, we could potentially see Sieg take snaps at quarterback in a “special package.” As to how extensively this package will be utilized is anybody’s guess. However, the idea of having someone as athletically gifted as Sieg playing quarterback should have fans on the edge of their seats.
What the concept of Sieg in a wildcat formation gives this offense is yet another dimension. Rodriguez has already built the reputation of being an offensive innovator. With this option added to the Mountaineers’ arsenal, preparing for this offense could become an even bigger headache for opposing defensive coordinators this fall.
(Photo by WVU Athletics)
