Injury Forces West Virginia to Adjust at the Most Important Spot

West Virginia quarterback Nicco Marchiol is expected to medically redshirt for the remainder of the 2025 season after being sidelined with a lingering foot injury. The junior has only appeared in four games this fall, keeping him at the redshirt threshold and allowing him to preserve two full years of eligibility.

Through those four games, Marchiol completed 66 of 98 passes for 720 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions. He showed flashes of potential while battling through discomfort, but ultimately, the decision was made to shut him down to focus on recovery and long-term health. According to head coach Rich Rodriguez, Marchiol traveled to specialists in Arizona and Colorado before it was determined that rest and rehabilitation were the best course of action.

The timing of the decision is crucial because the NCAA’s four-game rule is often a sticking point for players who want to redshirt. Had Marchiol appeared in a fifth game, he would not have been eligible to preserve this season. By stopping now, he ensures he will still have two more years to play, either in Morgantown or elsewhere.

That leads to the natural question about his future. If Marchiol does not return to West Virginia in 2026, the transfer portal could become an option. He was a highly recruited quarterback from Chandler, Arizona, with offers from several Power Four programs before choosing the Mountaineers. With his name recognition and experience already logged in the Big 12, he would immediately draw interest if he explored a move.

For now, West Virginia must move forward with other options under center. The Mountaineers’ depth chart will shift, with quarterbacks such as Jaylen Henderson, Max Brown, Khalil Wilkins, and Scotty Fox competing to take over the offense for the rest of the season. Continuity will be a challenge, but the program has little choice but to adapt quickly as Big 12 play intensifies.

For Marchiol, the decision to redshirt is both a setback and an opportunity. Sitting out means losing valuable live-game reps, but it also preserves his career clock and gives him the chance to either return in 2026 with a clean slate or explore the market for a new destination. In an era where quarterback movement is more common than ever, his next step will be closely watched.