West Virginia Just Made Its Call at Quarterback

West Virginia has made its decision at quarterback, naming Nicco Marchiol the starter for the 2025 season. The redshirt junior beat out a competitive group that included Jaylen Henderson and Max Brown.

The announcement comes after a tight camp battle that lingered deep into August, with ESPN’s Pete Thamel first reporting the news. For a Mountaineers team trying to build stability and direction, Marchiol represents the most experienced and familiar option under center.

Marchiol has appeared in 20 games and started three, all of which resulted in West Virginia wins over Texas Tech, Arizona, and Cincinnati. Across those outings, he completed over 66 percent of his passes and added value on the ground with his legs. In total, he has thrown for 742 yards, eight touchdowns, and five interceptions in his career, while rushing for 285 yards and three more scores. That experience, along with his command of the offense, gave him the edge over a talented but unproven quarterback room.

For Big 12 defenses, this news brings clarity. West Virginia’s initial depth chart listed multiple quarterbacks as potential starters, leaving film prep more open-ended than most coaches would prefer. Now with Marchiol in place, opposing coordinators can begin crafting game plans that account for his timing, pocket movement, and situational decision-making. While Henderson and Brown may still play roles this fall, Marchiol is clearly the one the staff believes can steer the offense from the start.

The decision also offers insight into where Rich Rodriguez wants to take the offense this season. With questions surrounding the offensive line and receiving corps, choosing a quarterback who already understands the system and has weathered Big 12 environments makes sense. It is a move rooted in continuity, and one that signals confidence in a player who has stayed the course amid competition.

For West Virginia, this is more than just a lineup change. It is a commitment to stability at a position that defines success. And for the rest of the Big 12, it is a reminder that the Mountaineers have found their leader and plan to ride with him.