Khalil Wilkins (14) began at quarterback for WVU this previous Saturday in a loss to Utah. (Photo by David Pennock)
MORGANTOWN — This is the second-straight week the place there’s the query of who West Virginia’s starting quarterback goes to be going ahead. The damaged file remains to be on the participant.
It’s been enjoying because the spring, by way of summer time, earlier than the primary sport, after Ohio, then somebody took it off after Nicco Marchiol’s comeback efficiency towards Pitt, however then somebody performed it once more after a blowout loss to Kansas.
Now, after one other embarrassing loss, this time towards Utah 48-14, it’s enjoying once more.
Marchiol had began the primary 4 video games of the season, and he was benched in three of these video games. Most not too long ago, Marchiol was benched after he couldn’t get the offense going towards Kansas. Texas A&M switch Jaylen Henderson got here in for him.
This week, the starter query took a flip. Tuesday, earlier than Utah, Rich Rodriguez informed the media Marchiol was in Colorado seeing a specialist for a mid-foot damage that he’d been coping with the previous couple of weeks. Rodriguez listed him as questionable and mentioned any of the opposite quarterbacks, Henderson, freshman Scottie Fox, Charlotte switch Max Brown, or redshirt freshman Khalil Wilkins are battling to begin.
A few days later, Marchiol was dominated out, and Henderson was anticipated to begin. Saturday towards Utah, Henderson marched out as the starter.
Henderson had performed in each sport sooner or later, and thru the small pattern dimension, he confirmed his strengths and weaknesses. However, it turned clearer towards Utah when he bought the nod.
Henderson is a greater runner than Marchiol, however he can’t throw. Some passes have been behind the receiver, and a few of them ought to have been intercepted. Rodriguez shortly realized passing wasn’t his power and stopped dialing up passing performs, even after being down by a number of touchdowns.
The solely constructive yardage below Henderson was on the bottom when he took off. He rushed 13 instances for 28 yards. He threw the ball seven instances and accomplished simply three passes for 22 yards. Henderson’s not the longer term at quarterback for WVU.
WVU was down 35-0, so Rodriguez made the change at QB. Redshirt freshman Khalil Wiklins began the second half.
Wilkins confirmed flashes. He is certainly sooner than Marchiol and Henderson, and the offense began to indicate some indicators of life. Although this was when Utah just about gained the sport, so maintain that in thoughts.
Wilkins was far more environment friendly on the bottom. He was extra elusive and rushed 9 instances for 39 yards. Wilkins’ passing remains to be a piece in progress. He made some throws on the run and linked with huge receiver Cam Vaughn on a giant 39-yard landing. There was promise.
But, Wilkins missed a few wide-open throws that may’ve been touchdowns, so he’s nonetheless removed from excellent.
At this level, with WVU 2-3 and coming off back-to-back massive losses, it could be time to show it over to a youthful man like Wilkins, so he can get extra expertise. To help the change, Rodriguez thought he performed laborious for a teen, too.
“He competed well for a young guy in his first action,” Rodriguez mentioned. “Thought he ran hard. A couple of the throws he’d probably like to have back. We missed a couple of easy ones.”
WVU lands two commitments
It would possibly’ve seemed unhealthy for West Virginia over the weekend after a 48-14 loss to Utah, nevertheless it didn’t deter away the recruits.
The Mountaineers picked up two commitments, one on Sunday and one on Monday morning, each for the category of 2026.
Sunday afternoon, 3-star quarterback Wyatt Brown introduced his dedication to WVU from Notre Dame High School in Sherman Oaks, California.
Brown ranked as the 163rd-rated quarterback within the class and 277th participant in California. He had gives from Cal, Arkansas, UCF and Cornell, however in the end determined to go throughout the nation to Morgantown.
Recently, the 6-foot-3, 196-pound quarterback threw for 301 yards and 5 touchdowns towards Culver City. He additionally ran for an additional. Brown’s efficiency landed him on the Los Angeles Times’ High School prime performers for the week.
Brown is the primary quarterback rating for Rich Rodriguez within the class.
Monday morning, three-star go rusher Carter Kessler introduced his dedication to WVU. He’s from Shelby, Ohio, and is forty fourth within the state and ranked as the 88th go rusher within the nation. He’s additionally performed some tight finish and had a landing catch towards Highland, together with three tackles for loss.
The 6-foot-5, 235-pounder was on the sphere earlier than the sport towards Utah, taking his official go to. Just two days later, Kessler loved what he noticed and picked WVU.
He’s the second go rusher in WVU’s 2026 class. Kessler joined 3-star Noah Tishendorf.
With Brown and Kessler, WVU’s 2026 class now has 26 commitments.