The Mountaineers have seen a whirlwind of movement on the roster this offseason, a shift that head coach Neal Brown has framed as a deliberate accounting of both departures and arrivals.
The Numbers Behind the Move
By quantifying every snap lost to graduation or transfer and matching it against the snaps brought in by newcomers, the staff has painted a picture of where experience is being added and where it is slipping away.
At the quarterback spot, the loss of 378 snaps from Nicco Marchiol, Khalil Wilkins and Jaylen Henderson left a sizable hole, but the emergence of Michael Hawkins as a contender for the starting role hints at a potential rebound.
The running back and fullback rooms have been similarly unsettled, with Cam Cook’s 839 snaps last year eclipsing the combined output of the entire backfield, yet the influx of 873 new snaps suggests a deeper depth chart.
Wide receivers have experienced the most pronounced turnover, shedding 1,464 snaps while gaining only 1,037, a net loss that is partially offset by the arrival of Cam Vaughn and Rodney Gallagher, though both have moved on, making way for John Neider and DJ Epps to step into larger roles.
Tight end production has swung dramatically, losing just 13 snaps but adding 407, a surge driven by the graduation of Grayson Barnes and Jacob Barrick, who together accounted for 760 snaps, and the arrival of Cam Ball and Josh Sapp from Mississippi State and Clemson.
Perhaps the most striking transformation is on the offensive line, where the program lost 472 snaps but welcomed a massive 3,856, anchored by five transfers each boasting over 400 snaps of collegiate experience.
Defensive Upgrades
Defensively, the line saw a modest net gain of 110 snaps after Asani Redwood departed and Ezekiel Durham‑Campbell arrived, while the bandit position surged with a 885‑snap increase after Harper Holloman and David Afogho joined as full‑time starters.
Linebacker depth also improved, with 630 additional snaps coming in via Tyler Stolsky, Malachi Hood and Isaiah Patterson, counterbalancing the exits of several veterans.
The secondary, especially the nickel/safety spot, experienced a massive net addition of 2,124 snaps after Kamari Wilson, Geimere Latimer, Kameron Reddic and Andrew Powdrell transferred in, providing a wealth of experience that should stabilize the back end.
Overall, the data indicates that while the Mountaineers have lost a substantial number of snaps across many positions, the incoming transfers have generally brought more experience than they have shed, especially along the line and in the secondary.
If the newcomers can translate that experience into on‑field production, West Virginia could see a marked improvement in efficiency and depth as the season progresses.