The Mountaineers are gearing up for their first preseason scrimmage, a moment that will shed light on how the newly assembled depth chart will translate into on‑field performance.
At quarterback, senior Mike Hawkins is slated to take the opening snap, with junior Scotty Fox Jr. waiting in the wings. Freshman Jyron Hughley, prized for his athleticism, is expected to battle for the third‑quarterback slot, though he may initially be limited to mop‑up duties.
The running back corps will be anchored by Cam Cook and Amari Latimer, while the third spot is up for grabs among Martavious Boswell and Chris Talley, adding depth to the backfield.
At wide receiver, TaRon Francis is the clear second option behind the primary target, while Landon Drumm, despite camp praise, is unlikely to see extensive snaps early on.
The slot receiver position will feature a competition between Armoni Weaver‑Bomar and Kedrick Triplett, both eyeing the role behind DJ Epps.
John Neider brings versatility to the tight end spot, while Cam Ball is expected to be utilized primarily in red‑zone situations.
On the offensive line, Kevin Brown will start at left tackle in Week 1, with Carsten Casady holding down the right side, and Malik Agbo poised as his backup.
Wes King is the established starter at center, and the backup role will be contested by Cam Griffin and Landen Livingston.
Amare Grayson is projected to start at right guard, with Josh Aisosa emerging as a potential reserve.
Defensive Outlook and Freshman Impact
Defensively, the Mountaineers plan to rotate six or seven players, giving true freshmen Yendor Mack and Matt Sieg a chance to earn meaningful snaps.
Harper Holloman is locked into a starting edge position, while Tobi Haastrup shows the highest upside among the edge defenders.
Cam Torbor is slated to lead the linebacker corps, with Ben Cutter and Malachi Hood sharing the rotation.
In the secondary, Chams Diagne is the likely starter at cornerback, though competition may arise with ChaMarryus Bomar and Jaire Rawlison.
Kamari Wilson serves as the vocal leader of the secondary, and Andrew Powdrell is being heralded as a potential standout performer.
The upcoming scrimmage will be a crucial test, revealing which players are ready for game action and how the depth chart will shape the team’s early season outlook.