The Mountaineers have identified three pillars that they say will define their 2026 campaign: a revitalized offensive line, a quarterback who has earned the full trust of the staff, and a roster poised to compete in every contest.
Rick Trickett, who has spent years developing line play at the collegiate level, is expected to reshape the front five, bringing a depth of experience that the 2025 unit lacked.
Mike Hawkins Jr., the sophomore who emerged as the starter in the latter half of last season, has been handed the starting role outright, a signal that the coaching staff believes he can lead the offense.
The context for optimism is stark. In 2025 the team dropped eight games, six of them by multiple scores, including blowouts at BYU, Utah, UCF and Texas Tech that averaged a 36.5‑point margin of defeat.
A New Era of Promise
With a blend of seasoned veterans and emerging talent, the Mountaineers believe they can close the gap between potential and performance. The combination of Trickett’s line work, Hawkins’s confidence, and the collective toughness of players such as Malik Agbo, Devin Vass and Cam Griffin should make every game a battle worth watching.