The national narrative on WVU football heading into 2026 may have you believe that they are in for another 4-8 season. They play in the Big 12 and are projected to finish near the bottom again. The outside world is projecting this team like they are the same as last year’s. The 2025 Mountaineers had a carousel at quarterback, the worst offensive line in the conference, and injuries decimated their running back room. Read more: How WVU’s revamped o-line and backfield silences the 2026 doubters.
Rich Rodriguez has the pieces in place this season to run his offense. Two Mountaineers landed on the Preseason All-Big 12 team, both in the backfield. The rushing attack is the reason the narrative changes this season.
Cam Cook is the most important transfer in the Big 12
WVU’s struggles last season were real, but they were circumstantial. Rodriguez was hired in December, brought in most of his roster via the transfer portal, and still started 2-1. Last season was about establishing the foundation and culture of this program. He also did not have full revenue share last season, and he does in 2026. The staff had more time to find guys that were productive at other schools, rather than patching holes. They had more time to find recruits that fit their culture. Rodriguez has even pushed back on the low projections heading into 2026.
“I feel confident we’ll be a lot better this year,” Rodriguez said. “Probably a lot better than people predict, but we’ve got to prove that first.”
The biggest additions this season are in the backfield and on the coaching staff. The ground game is the key to the offense, and they have it. Cam Cook is a plug-and-play star stepping into a system he already knows. He led the nation in rushing in 2025 at Jacksonville State with 1,659 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns. He also has two years of experience in the Big 12 at TCU, including nine touchdowns in 2024.
Related: Position review #2: Cook leads exciting RB room for West Virginia
WVU also brought in Michael Hawkins Jr. to compete with Scotty Fox Jr. at quarterback. Both are dual-threat quarterbacks, which makes defenses have to respect them. Defenses cannot stack the box against Cook because either Hawkins or Fox can keep it.
When Rodriguez has a running back of this caliber and a mobile quarterback, the offense becomes a different animal. The key is another addition from Jacksonville State. Rick Trickett coached the offensive line that led Cook to his phenomenal 2025 season. He is back at WVU with Rodriguez and ready to revamp this offensive line.
The fullback is back
Kayden Luke popped up in the transfer portal, and Rodriguez wasted no time recruiting him to West Virginia. The Arizona transfer earned Preseason All-Big 12 honors at fullback, a position that barely exists in the modern game. Luke was used primarily as a lead blocker in his sophomore season at Arizona. He helped the Wildcats rush for 1,981 yards and 20 touchdowns in 2025.
Related: Rich Rodriguez says WVU built 2026 roster around competition, production
Many fans are extremely fond of Owen Schmitt, who helped pave the way for Pat White, Steve Slaton, and Noel Devine. Luke understands what that legacy means and has a chance to redefine Rodriguez’s second era. The hard-nosed identity is returning to Mountaineer football, and Luke is the unsung hero.
Rick Trickett’s return
The return of Trickett is arguably the most important piece of the puzzle. He is one of the best offensive line coaches in the country and is extremely familiar with the offense and Cook. The offensive line was the worst in the Big 12 in 2025, but they have a lot more experience this season. Nick Krahe leads the way as a returning starter, but is set to start at left guard after playing tackle last season. Freshman Kevin Brown is also a projected starter and one of the best recruits WVU has ever signed. The ability to control the line of scrimmage changes the script for how defenses approach the game plan.
Rodriguez is building something different in his second year in Morgantown, and it starts on the ground. Cook running behind Trickett’s offensive line with Luke leading the way is a recipe for success. The ground game is the reason WVU is more dangerous than the projections suggest.
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