Rich Rodriguez 2.0 begins tomorrow as WVU welcomes the Robert Morris Colonials. He released the depth chart this week before the game day, and he stuck to his word. Many players will take the field as head coach Rodriguez aims to settle on his key players. He has not taken the field as the Mountaineers’ head coach since 2007, so there could be some nerves for Rodriguez after spending the last three seasons as the head coach of Jacksonville State. Read more: Rich Rodriguez 2.0 Starts vs. Robert Morris.
Rich Rodriguez 2.0 Starts vs. Robert Morris
The Mountaineers’ depth chart is filled with a lot of ‘ors,’ as Rodriguez said.
“When we release a depth chart and you see a lot of ‘ors’, it’s not a strategic plan,” Rodriguez said during The Rich Rodriguez Show on Monday. “It’s truly or. It’s him, or him, or him.”
Here’s the first #WVU football depth chart of the season pic.twitter.com/R1qKvBE6w4
— Cody Nespor (@CodyNespor) August 26, 2025
His goal is to play as many players as possible; in fact, he wants to play the most guys in the country in week one.
“We want to play the most guys in the country in week one,” Rodriguez added during the radio show. “But they need to be good enough to win, I won’t play someone just to play him. But we do want to get a lot of guys in.”
Offense
The quarterback position is the biggest question surrounding the team currently, and fans could see at least three in the opener. The QB position has the most ‘ors’ next to each of the players’ names. Nicco Marchiol is the highest listed player, so it is safe to assume that he draws the start for the Mountaineers. Following Marchiol, the others are Jaylen Henderson, Max Brown, Scotty Fox Jr., and Khalil Wilkins.
Related: What Robert Morris Needs to do to Stay Competitive Against WVU
Marchiol and Henderson could be involved as early as the first drive. Brown, Fox Jr., and Wilkins should get their snaps, but I would expect Marchiol and Henderson to take the early snaps. Rodriguez and his son, quarterbacks coach Rhett Rodriguez, should employ a lot of quarterbacks in tomorrow’s game to see what they have.
Quarterback is not the only position up in the air. Jaden Bray and Cam Vaughn are the two starting receivers, while the slot receiver has three players listed. Rodney Gallagher III, Oran Singleton Jr., and Jarrod Bowie, all upperclassmen, are potential options. Seniors Grayson Barnes or Jacob Barrick have the ‘or’ at tight end. Jahiem White has done enough to secure his position as the team’s starting running back.
The offensive line is one of the position groups with no ‘ors’. Nick Krahe and Walter Young Bear will start at tackle and guard, respectively, on the left side. Landen Livingston is the starting center, while Kimo Makane’ole and Ty’Kieast Crawford are draw starts at guard and tackle, respectively, on the right side.
Defense
The defense features tons of seniors. The defensive front starters are seniors Eddie Kelly Jr. (DE), Edward Vesterinen (DT), and Hammond Russell IV (NG). Redshirt-senior Braden Siders will play the bandit position. Redshirt-seniors Reid Carrico (Mike) and Chase Wilson (Will) start at linebacker.
The youngest starter on defense is sophomore Israel Boyce (FS), who outperformed Jacksonville State transfers Kekoura Tarnue and Derek Carter Jr. at the position, as both are listed as backups. It will be interesting to see how the defense shakes out against the FCS school. Plenty of guys should see snaps, and Rodriguez and defensive coordinator Zac Alley scope out the level of play in a live game.
Special Teams
Rounding out the depth chart are the special teamers. Redshirt-senior Kade Hensley is the starting kicker, while his backup, Ethan Head, will handle kickoff duties. Oliver Straw is the punter, with Morgantown-native freshman Aidan Stire as his backup. Morgantown native Preston Fox is the punt and kick returner, with Jarrod Bowie backing him up.
Final Analysis
The offensive line and linebackers are the most slotted in positions as far as starters. They resemble the projected starters from preseason camp. The quarterback position is the one most fans are concerned with, and it may take a few games for Rodriguez to decide on his starter, if it ever happens.
Jahiem White, named to the Doak Walker Award Watch List, should get touches early and often as the Mountaineers look to build an early lead in their opener. The quicker they build a lead against the Colonials, the quicker they can see what they have lower on the depth chart. Rich Rodriguez is back patrolling the sidelines, and he will want to get off on the right foot against Robert Morris. It is likely the easiest test on the schedule for WVU, but they must remain locked in and not take any game for granted.
