West Virginia is set to have a new starting quarterback in 2025, and the battle for the job is still underway. The competition is expected to continue into fall camp, and Mountaineer fans may not find out who the starter is until the first offensive snap against Robert Morris.
Leading Candidate: Nicco Marchiol
Nicco Marchiol is the favorite heading into the competition. He’s already well-regarded by WVU fans, especially after choosing to stay with the team despite a coaching change. Marchiol boasts a 3-0 record as a starter and played a key role in the Mountaineers’ win over Pitt in 2023 when Garrett Greene was injured. So far in his career, Marchiol has thrown for 736 yards, eight touchdowns, and five interceptions, and added 320 rushing yards with three touchdowns — a valuable trait considering head coach Rich Rodriguez’s preference for mobile quarterbacks.
The starter will ultimately be the quarterback who consistently makes the best decisions — and right now, that looks like it could be Marchiol.
Challenger: Jaylen Henderson
Jaylen Henderson joined WVU from Texas A&M via the transfer portal and fits well in the Mountaineers’ offensive system. He’s a dynamic athlete with a strong arm but missed the entire 2024 season due to injury. In 2023, he started three games for the Aggies, including a standout 294-yard passing game against LSU. He has 764 career passing yards, six touchdowns, and just one interception, along with 239 rushing yards and two touchdowns.
While Henderson might be more athletic and have a higher upside than Marchiol, it’s unlikely he overtakes him in the competition — especially given that even standout transfer Tyler Huff didn’t secure the job in camp last year.
Sleeper to Watch: Scotty Fox
Insiders in Morgantown are high on freshman Scotty Fox, who is seen as a future star for the program. Although he’s currently nursing a minor injury, don’t be shocked if he climbs to the No. 3 spot on the depth chart by fall.
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