The West Virginia Mountaineers are putting the finishing touches on a 2026 roster that promises a fresh look after a 4‑8 season a year ago. The coaching staff, led by Rich Rodriguez, has been busy reshaping the depth chart as players arrive, depart and recover from injury.
The latest update, released on June 27, marks the first time the chart has been published since the spring signing period, and it already reflects a handful of significant changes.
Key Additions and Departures
Among the newcomers, Wes King has slid into the first‑string center role, while Andrew Powdrell earned the starting safety spot after a standout testing session that earned a nod from Rodriguez. The defensive backfield also welcomes JUCO prospect Tim Roberson, who will wear the Mountaineer jersey this fall.
Commitments from the 2025 recruiting class have added depth at multiple positions. Defensive back Kameron Reddic pledged to WVU on Jan. 24, while a trio of January 19 signings — wide receiver Kayden Luke, linebacker Jason Hall and edge rusher Zeke Campbell — bolster the offense and defense. The defensive line received a boost from Oregon edge rusher Tobi Haastrup, LSU safety Jacob Bradford, Kent State cornerback Jaire Rawlison and special‑teams standout Brad Mossor, all of whom announced their intentions on Jan. 16.
The roster also sees the arrival of freshman defensive end Kamdon Gillespie, who was released from his national letter of intent on Jan. 16, and the transfer of tight end Cam Ball, who joins from an unspecified program. Meanwhile, offensive linemen Brandon Homady and Mickel Clay are set to leave the program, creating openings for incoming transfers such as Amare Grayson, cornerback Chams Diagne, kicker Peter Notaro, punter Bryan Hansen and others who committed on Jan. 11.
Additional transfers include offensive linemen Cameron Griffin and Carsten Casady, as well as Western Kentucky edge rusher Harper Holloman, who all joined on Jan. 10. The Mountaineers also secured commitments from Wyoming offensive guard Wes King and LSU wide receiver TaRon Francis on Jan. 8, and from a group of players on Jan. 7 that featured UNLV cornerback Andrew Powdrell, Bowling Green edge rusher David Afogho, Memphis safety Kamari Wilson, Florida Atlantic linebacker Tyler Stolsky and Kansas State offensive lineman Devin Vass.
The defensive backfield will also see the addition of UNLV cornerback Andrew Powdrell, while the offensive line welcomes Cameron Griffin and Carsten Casady. Edge rusher Curtis Jones Jr. departed on Jan. 7, and wide receiver Prince Strachan, a transfer from USC, committed on Jan. 6. Running back Cam Cook from Jacksonville State and Illinois linebacker Malachi Hood also signed on that day, alongside wide receiver DJ Epps, a Troy transfer.
The quarterback room gains three power‑4 transfers — Michael Hawkins Jr, Maliek Hawkins and Geimere Latimer II — who all committed on Jan. 5. Defensive lineman Will LeBlanc also pledged to WVU, while Christian Hamilton moved on. The depth chart was refreshed on Dec. 30 to reflect the expected departures of wide receivers Jarel Williams and interior offensive lineman Donovan Haslam, and again on Dec. 27 for the anticipated moves of defensive backs Israel Boyce, offensive lineman Xavier Bausley and receiver Cam Vaughn.
Further adjustments on Dec. 22, Dec. 19, Dec. 14, Dec. 11 and Dec. 10 cleared the way for portal exits involving Tyler Jacklich, Cooper Young, Robby Martin and Adam Tomczyk, while also accounting for the expected transfer of linebacker Caleb Nuhi‑Yandall and safety Jason Cross Jr. The coaching staff continues to monitor the health of players such as Keenan Eck, Jordan McCants and Noah Braham, who are slated to transition out on Jan. 3, and the departures of Rodney Gallagher III and Asani Redwood scheduled for Jan. 1. Players like Marshon Oxley, Cyncir Bowers and Elijah Simmons are expected to enter the portal on Dec. 31.
With the depth chart still fluid, Rodriguez and his staff remain focused on integrating the new pieces while managing injuries and departures. The Mountaineers hope that the influx of talent will translate into a more competitive performance when the 2026 season kicks off.