Latest Slidescroller coverage mentioning Carter Kessler across Football.
The Shelby Whippets are set to defend their recent success with a new quarterback, a revamped roster and a demanding schedule in the 2026 high school football season.
Carter Kessler, a 6‑foot‑2, 250‑pound freshman defensive lineman, joined West Virginia University in January. After earning First Team All‑State honors and an offensive player of the year award at Shelby High School, he is slated for a reserve role that will let him adapt to Division I play while bringing his versatile high school experience to the Mountaineers.
The NCAA’s new five-year eligibility framework is redefining how West Virginia University manages its football scholarships, affecting players who redshirted under previous rules and prompting a detailed review of each athlete’s remaining years.
West Virginia University finished 14th in the Big 12 last year, endured injuries and a depleted secondary, but a full offseason under head coach Rich Rodriguez brings renewed optimism and a revamped roster for the upcoming campaign.