It won’t be long until the 2026-27 college football season is underway. And you won’t be able to find a program and its fans more ready for the new year to start than West Virginia. Read more: Spring Football update: Cook and Bray primed to lead WVU.
Last year’s disappointing season is now far in the rearview mirror. Spring practice is in full swing for head coach Rich Rodriguez’s vastly new team. That means it’s time to put last year’s sour taste in everyone’s mouth to rest and look ahead to what this season will bring.
Spring practice doesn’t paint a perfect picture as to what that looks like, but there have still been some key indicators that Rodriguez has highlighted in his press conferences as of late.
Leaders of the offense
This year’s roster is once again another complete overhaul for Rodriguez and his staff. There’s no shocker as to why that is.
However, that can bring another year of questions and instability. One thing that can help fix that is proven leaders on the offense: Jaden Bray and Cam Cook.
Bray returns for his second year at WVU after missing nearly all of last season after sustaining another foot injury. Rodriguez highlighted there was most likely some type of lingering issue that caused Bray to re-injure his left foot.
Now with a full year to recover, Bray is ready to lead a wide receiver room full of questions. His availability will be crucial for West Virginia’s offense this season. If he can stay healthy, he’ll play a major role in the passing attack.
As for the ground game, Jacksonville State transfer Cam Cook has already proven he’s more than capable of leading a dynamic rushing attack.
The 2025 rushing leader is coming off a season with the Gamecocks where he played a role in every aspect of the offense. If he needs to pound it between the guards, he can do it. If WVU needs him to rush outside the tackles, he has the speed to outrun most defenders.
Rodriguez has already said that Cook doesn’t need to prove himself during spring practices. The coaching staff already knows what they are getting out of the experienced senior.
While neither Bray nor Cook needs to prove why they belong on the field, their leadership will be what is examined and counted on from the coaching staff as spring practices continue.
An exciting QB room
This time of year, one question is always on everyone’s mind: who will be the starting quarterback?
For WVU, it’s a tale between the returning sophomore who showed flashes last season and the dynamic duel-threat QB who comes from a high-caliber program.
As for the sophomore, Rodriguez has talked about how Scotty Fox Jr. has shown glimpses in practice of a player who has real-game experience. But, at the same time, he’s had moments that a typical underclassman would have.
For Michael Hawkins Jr., he brings a true threat not only in the passing attack, but with his legs. After spending two seasons as mostly the backup at Oklahoma University, the former four-star recruit is ready to become a full-time starter with the Mountaineers.
You can tell in his press conferences that Rodriguez loves Hawkins’ ability to make plays with his legs. That aspect of his game is exactly what Rodriguez needs to bring his offense to its full potential.
But at the same time, Fox also proved he can make plays with his legs. And he already has experience starting at WVU and playing under Rodriguez.
It will be an interesting battle that will likely swing in both players’ favor throughout the spring. Similar to last year, I would not expect Rodriguez to name a starter anytime soon.
Learning how to “practice”
As for how the team looks as a whole in the eyes of their head coach, Rodriguez has stated time and time again that many of the new players still don’t know how to “practice” the way he would like them to.
There’s no secret that Rodriguez demands a higher standard from his players. One that stresses hard work and grit at all times.
It’s not easy for new players who came from different programs to adjust to the style their new head coach stresses. And it’s evident that it’s still a work in progress.
The good news is that it’s still early. The new guys have plenty of time to match the passion and attitude their head coach possesses.
This will be a work in progress, but hopefully, with more time and practice under their belt, every player will be able to make the necessary switch.
Stay up to date
As spring practices continue, WV Sports Nation will keep you updated and talk about new developments that occur.
Don’t miss any of the action and news on how the football team is gearing up for a much-needed rebound season.
