Locked On West Virginia - Daily Podcast on West Virginia Mountaineers Football & Basketball

Wren Baker just delivered MASSIVE news for the future of West Virginia football. One of the biggest questions surrounding Rich Rodriguez’s rebuild has been simple: WVU is bringing in all of this young talent — but what happens when those players become stars? Can West Virginia actually afford to KEEP them? Wren Baker just gave us an answer. “We have the money to retain these guys and we’re going to.” That is a HUGE statement from West Virginia’s athletic director. Baker says WVU has already climbed into the top half of the Big 12 in player spending, estimating the Mountaineers...

ESPN is already telling West Virginia fans to *WAIT UNTIL BASKETBALL SEASON?!* With the 2026 college football season right around the corner, ESPN placed *WVU Football in Tier 13 of 18* — a tier literally labeled *“Three months ’til basketball season.”* The disrespect doesn't stop there. West Virginia was placed BELOW several teams on its own schedule, including Virginia, Houston, Arizona, Oklahoma State, Cincinnati and Kansas — and ESPN barely even explained WHY the Mountaineers belong that low. Yes, WVU went 4–8 last season. Yes, there are still questions to answer. But this is Year 2 under *Rich Rodriguez**. The roster has been completely rebuilt. **Michael Hawkins Jr. and Scot...

🚨 Jason Chambers is BACK in the building at West Virginia — and this could be a HUGE development for the WVU secondary. Chambers started all 12 games at cornerback for the Mountaineers in 2025 before getting an opportunity with the New York Jets and spending time in the NFL. Now, in a 5-for-5 eligibility situation, Chambers is back at WVU and phasing his way into regular practices. Could a former NFL camp corner end up becoming the answer to one of WVU’s biggest remaining questions? We break down Chambers’ experience, what he brings to Zac Alley’s defense, why his return could completely...

West Virginia football is starting to take shape — and Rich Rodriguez just gave us a TON to talk about. RichRod says WVU is further along than it was last year, Matt Sieg has a “great future” in Morgantown, Andrew Powdrell is headed for an “outstanding year,” and Kamari Wilson looks like a major addition to the secondary. We also learned exactly why WVU rebuilt its cornerback room with more size and length after getting physically beaten at the catch point last season, why Saturday’s scrimmage could be huge for several position battles, and why DJ Epps appears to be emerging as...

Big 12 conference realignment chaos looms as the Protect College Sports Act threatens to trigger a wild reshuffling of teams. Could Clemson, Florida State, and Miami bolt for the SEC or Big Ten, while the Big 12 hunts for programs like Virginia Tech and Pitt? The Big 12 Squad weighs the potential fallout, debate league size caps, and question whether this shakeup finally returns tradition—or drives conferences further apart.

Tensions rise as Iowa State head coach Jimmy Rogers stirs controversy by picking his own Cyclones to win the Big 12 after losing over 50 players to the transfer portal. The crew an...

BREAKING NEWS: The West Virginia Mountaineers just got a massive frontcourt boost! Brenen Lorient is officially returning for a fifth season in Morgantown, and Javan Buchanan is cleared to take the court. In this episode, we break down the monumental legal victory out of Colorado that secured another year of eligibility for the 2022 class and what it means for the NCAA's "5 for 5" rule. With B-Lo back to anchor the frontcourt and Buchanan ready to make an immediate impact off the bench, head coach Ross Hodge finally has the rotation pieces he needs. We dive into how this reshapes the depth...

West Virginia basketball is already generating NBA Draft buzz before the season even begins — and it’s surrounding BOTH members of Ross Hodge’s potential starting backcourt. Miles Sadler has been ranked as high as the No. 5 prospect in the 2027 NBA Draft class by KJ Scouting, which also called him the best sub-six-foot draft prospect in years and believes he has All-American potential at WVU. Meanwhile, Finley Bizjack has appeared as the No. 58 overall pick in an early 2027 NBA mock draft from Bleacher Report’s Jonathan Wasserman. So what happens if the NBA evaluators are even CLOSE to being right? Sadler b...

Mike Hawkins Jr. has been spotted in a green no-contact jersey at WVU practice — so what exactly is going on with the Mountaineers’ quarterback? We break down what we’re hearing about a potential toe issue, why the green jersey matters, and whether missed practice reps this close to the season could give Scotty Fox a major opportunity to swing West Virginia’s QB battle. Plus, we go deep into WVU’s defensive line with full player breakdowns on Darius Wiley, Yendor Mack and Cam Mallory. We look at their size, production, development, body transformations, strengths, weaknesses and what each could brin...

ALERT! Big news coming straight out of Mountaineer football practice today! 🚨The WVU coaching staff just dropped some massive updates regarding the defensive side of the ball, and opponents in the Big 12 should officially be on notice. Sophomore defensive lineman Nate Gabriel (#93) and defensive back Kamarri Wilson are stepping up in a huge way, turning heads at camp, and asserting themselves as absolute game-changers for the 2026 defense. In this episode, we break down exactly what the coaches are saying about this defensive breakthrough, how Gabriel and Wilson are reshaping the lineup, and why this camp revelation gives West Virginia the sec...

West Virginia’s three freshman tight ends are already generating excitement—and each one brings something completely different to Rich Rodriguez’s offense. Sam Hamilton has added 11 pounds and may possess the most college-ready body of the group. Kade Bush was an incredibly productive high-school playmaker who can line up all over the formation. Xavier Anderson has added 13 pounds and brings elite length, red-zone potential and fascinating two-way ability after recording 12 sacks during his senior season. Could one—or even two—of these true freshmen contribute for WVU in 2026? Mountaineer Paul gives Sam Hamilton, Kade Bush and Xavier Anderson the Full Meste...

ESPN just placed multiple WVU players inside its Top 10, and that gave me an idea! Which Mountaineers from every eligibility class could become West Virginia’s biggest stars in 2026? From young phenoms preparing to make an immediate impact to proven veterans with NFL potential, this roster may possess far more breakout talent than anyone realizes. We reveal our top choices from every class and explain who could completely transform WVU’s upcoming season! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

National media is taking notice of West Virginia’s potentially EXPLOSIVE new backfield! Cam Cook is on pace to challenge a mark associated with Texas legend and Atlanta Falcons star Bijan Robinson—while Michael Hawkins Jr.’s missed-tackle rate projects above what Louisville legend and Baltimore Ravens superstar Lamar Jackson produced during his Heisman season. Hawkins has forced 25 missed tackles on only 67 career rushing attempts—a ridiculous 37.3% rate. Put him beside Cook in Rich Rodriguez’s rushing attack, and WVU could possess one of the most dangerous backfields in college football. The sample sizes and workloads matter—but these projections are absolute...

West Virginia Athletics just delivered a historic statement: more than $100 MILLION in gifts and philanthropic support! This isn’t simply a big fundraising number—it’s evidence that WVU has expanded its financial foundation at the perfect time. Between major gifts, annual giving, ticket revenue, corporate partnerships and new NIL initiatives like the Championship Resource Fund, West Virginia is finding more ways to compete in the rapidly changing world of college athletics. What does this historic support mean for Wren Baker, Rich Rodriguez, Ross Hodge and the future of WVU Athletics? The Mountaineers now have the financial momentum, fan support and re...

Cam Torbor is receiving MASSIVE preseason hype as one of West Virginia’s biggest breakout candidates for 2026—and the excitement surrounding WVU’s young talent doesn’t end there. We break down why the 6-foot-3, 239-pound Torbor has the size, athleticism and opportunity to become a major piece of Zac Alley’s defense. Then, we examine the freshmen and redshirt freshmen who could contribute immediately, including Kevin Brown, Amari Latimer, Matt Sieg, TaRon Francis, Tobi Haastrup, Robert Oliver, Miles Khatri, Yendor Mack, Aidan Woods and Wyatt Walker Brown. Which young Mountaineers are physically ready to play? Who could crack the rotation...

Did Rick Trickett just reveal West Virginia’s starting offensive line? Trickett provided our clearest look yet at WVU’s projected first unit: true freshman Kevin Brown at left tackle, Nick Krahe at left guard, Wes King at center, Amare “Bubba” Grayson at right guard and Carsten Casady at right tackle. We break down the projected starting five, Kevin Brown’s chance to become an immediate starter, the competition behind them and Trickett’s plan to develop as many as 10 game-ready offensive linemen. Could this revamped group power Rich Rodriguez’s offense to a major turnaround in 2026? Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz com...

West Virginia basketball just added another national powerhouse to an absolutely loaded nonconference schedule! The Mountaineers will face North Carolina in the Dick Vitale Invitational, marking the first meeting between WVU and UNC in 61 years. But is this game—and the entire nonconference schedule—part of Ross Hodge’s master plan to prepare five-star freshman Miles Sadler for the Big 12? WVU will challenge Sadler with Auburn, the Players Era Tournament, North Carolina, Virginia Tech, Pitt, Wake Forest and more. From physical veteran guards and pressure defense to rivalry environments and three games in three days, Sadler will experience nearly every challe...

WVU Football is officially just 30 days away—and the Mountaineers still have some MASSIVE questions to answer before kickoff! Can Mike Hawkins Jr. pull away in the quarterback battle? Who will emerge at MIKE and WILL linebacker? Could Matt Sieg or another versatile Mountaineer become a legitimate two-way weapon? And which highly rated freshmen—Kevin Brown, Amari Latimer, Matt Sieg or Vincent Smith—will force their way onto the field? We’re breaking down the 15 biggest WVU fall camp storylines, including the offensive line, rebuilt secondary, pass rush, wide receivers, backup running backs and the position battles that could determine whether...

Big 12 and SEC football programs face a seismic shift as the Protect College Sports Act threatens to slash NIL budgets, capping them at $48.8 million. Will powerhouse teams like Ohio State and LSU maintain dominance with less cash, or does this level the playing field for underdogs like Houston and BYU? The Big 12 Squad breaks down how donor strategies, transfer rules, and the new public NIL deal mandate will reshape college football and basketball recruiting.

The hosts tackle tough questions about the survival of non-revenue sports, with baseball and track rosters poised to take significant hits. As schools...

West Virginia basketball is making waves on the national recruiting trail with two elite five-star prospects: Paul Osaruyi and Malachi Jordan! Osaruyi is an explosive 6-foot-10 frontcourt star who could completely transform WVU’s defense, rebounding and athleticism around the basket. The Mountaineers have developed legitimate momentum in his recruitment, aided by Ross Hodge’s vision and WVU’s strong Bella Vista Prep connection. Jordan is a powerful, versatile scoring wing with the size, strength and two-way ability to become a future high-major star. WVU faces a much steeper climb after missing his announced final eight, but assistant coach Yusuf Ali’s...

Rich Rodriguez was not satisfied with West Virginia’s opening practice—and he made it very clear that WVU does not have time to ease into fall camp. Rich wants greater conditioning, sharper execution and an overwhelming sense of urgency throughout the program. But he also revealed a fascinating vision for this team: play more players than anybody in the country, potentially use as many as 80 Mountaineers in a game and take opponents into the “deep end” with tempo, conditioning and relentless depth. We break down Rich Rodriguez’s first message of camp, his plans for Michael Hawkins Jr. and Cam Cook...

BREAKING: Jordan Scruggs has reportedly secured court protection clearing him to play for West Virginia during the 2026 season! In this episode of Locked On West Virginia, Mountaineer Paul explains what Scruggs actually won, when he can return to the field and what his experience could mean for Zac Alley’s defense. But Scruggs may only be the first domino to fall. We also examine the potential impact on Eddie Kelly Jr., Fred Perry, Jason Chambers, Jacob Barrick and other former Mountaineers seeking an additional season of eligibility. Could WVU suddenly add multiple experienced defensive contributors without touching the transfer portal? Pl...

🎙️ Could TWO major pieces of the WVU basketball roster be coming back? Javan Buchanan and Brenen Lorient are taking the NCAA to court in pursuit of another season of eligibility—and the outcome could completely reshape Ross Hodge’s roster. After their NCAA waiver requests were denied, both Mountaineers are now advancing to the next phase and fighting for the opportunity to play during the 2026–27 season. In this episode, we break down why Buchanan and Lorient are suing the NCAA, the eligibility argument behind their cases, their chances of winning, and what their potential return would mean for West Virginia basketball...

WVU Football fall camp is here, and the biggest questions surrounding Zac Alley’s defense are finally taking center stage! Today, we break down the five defensive storylines that could define West Virginia’s 2026 season, including the biggest position battles, the players fighting for starting jobs and the difficult decisions Alley must make before Week 1. Then, we reveal our complete WVU defensive depth-chart projection, going three and four players deep at every position. Who starts? Which newcomers could immediately earn major roles? Where are the biggest concerns—and could this defense become one of the Big 12’s biggest surprises? Hosted by Simpl...

West Virginia football is heading into fall camp, and Rich Rodriguez has some enormous decisions to make before the Mountaineers open the 2026 season! We break down the 10 biggest questions facing WVU—including Michael Hawkins Jr. versus Scotty Fox Jr., Kevin Brown’s opportunity at left tackle, Cam Cook’s workload, the wide receiver health concerns, Kayden Luke’s role, Matt Sieg’s potential offensive package and the final roster spot. Then, we go position by position through our projected three- and four-deep for the entire WVU offense: 🏈 Quarterbacks 🏈 Running backs and fullback 🏈 Wide receivers and tight ends 🏈 The complete offensive line 🏈 Rich Rodriguez’...

Can West Virginia really go from 4–8 to a 10-win season in Rich Rodriguez’s second year? In this episode of Locked On West Virginia, we map out WVU’s legitimate path to 10 wins: handle the must-win games, split the season-defining matchups, steal a major road victory and finish the job in a bowl game. We also break down five reasons the Mountaineers could shock the Big 12—including Michael Hawkins Jr.’s fit in Rich Rod’s offense, Cam Cook’s proven production, an improved offensive line, greater athleticism on defense and a schedule built for early momentum. Finally, what should actually quali...

The NCAA Transfer Portal is NOT reopening after all! Initial reports indicated that a Colorado federal judge’s class-wide preliminary injunction would force the NCAA to create a special transfer window from August 3–10. However, the actual order does not contain that directive. The proposed portal window was requested by the plaintiffs, but it was not expressly included in Judge Charlotte Sweeney’s entered order. Mountaineer Paul breaks down the correction, why the original ruling was misinterpreted, what remains unresolved and what it could mean for West Virginia. Could WVU still bring back players such as Brenen Lorient, Jayvan Buchanan, Fred Perry...

BREAKING: National recruiting insider Joe Tipton is calling his shot for West Virginia to land 5-star 2027 big man Paul Osaruyi! Tipton listed WVU as his prediction with a medium confidence level, citing the Mountaineers’ consistency, Ross Hodge’s recruiting momentum and the powerful Bella Vista pipeline. Four current WVU players previously attended Bella Vista, giving Osaruyi strong relationships and immediate familiarity with the program. Arkansas remains involved, while Kentucky and Indiana have also been linked to the elite prospect. However, West Virginia has emerged as the program carrying the most momentum. Could Osaruyi ultimately join 5-star point guard Miles Sadler and...

BREAKING: A federal judge has ordered the NCAA transfer portal to reopen in just two days, throwing college football and basketball into absolute chaos. What does this mean for West Virginia—and could WVU football or basketball lose players after believing their rosters were finally complete? We break down the court order, why the NCAA cannot stop the portal from reopening before the deadline, which Mountaineer players could be affected, and what Rich Rodriguez, Ross Hodge and WVU must do next. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of pe...

HOLY CRAP—West Virginia may have just received the eligibility breakthrough it desperately needed! A federal judge has issued a class-wide preliminary injunction protecting qualifying Division I athletes who began competing during the 2022–23 academic year, completed four seasons and were excluded from the NCAA’s new five-year eligibility structure. That could mean Brenan Lorient and Jayvan Buchanan are available for Ross Hodge and WVU basketball—while Fred Perry and Eddie Kelly Jr. could return to reinforce Zac Alley’s WVU defense. Jordan Scruggs could also benefit if his eligibility timeline places him within the protected class. In this episode, we break down...

West Virginia and Oklahoma State collide in a special Big 12 crossover episode! We break down both programs entering the 2026 season, the biggest roster questions, key players who could determine each team’s ceiling, and what both fanbases should expect when the Mountaineers and Cowboys meet in Morgantown. Can Rich Rodriguez push WVU into Big 12 contention? Is Oklahoma State ready to take another step forward? We compare the rosters, examine the matchup and identify the storylines that could define both seasons. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal da...

Can Zac Alley fix the West Virginia defense in 2026? The answer may be YES—and not because WVU suddenly has an elite player at every position. The Mountaineers finally have personnel that properly fits Alley’s aggressive, multiple and heavily disguised defensive system. We break down how Matt Sieg, Andrew Powdrell, Geimere Latimer II, Harper Holloman, Zeke Durham-Campbell, Chams Diagne, Ben Cutter and WVU’s interior defensive linemen could transform this unit. The 2025 defense already ranked No. 15 nationally in tackles for loss and forced 20 turnovers. Now, Alley may have the speed, length, versatility and leadership necessary to create chaos without leavin...

Could Fred Perry run it back with West Virginia in 2026? Perry was one of WVU’s most productive defenders in 2025, leading the Mountaineers with 78 tackles and 10 tackles for loss while adding three sacks, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. More importantly, he already understands Zac Alley’s defense and brings the physicality, versatility and leadership that this rebuilt unit desperately needs. Without Perry, Jordan Scruggs and Eddie Kelly Jr., WVU returns only 1,121 defensive snaps from last season. Add those three back, and that number explodes to 2,572—a 129.4% increase. Perry, Scruggs and Kelly alone played 330 more snaps than every current WVU de...

West Virginia basketball could be on the verge of receiving the best possible news for its 2026 roster. A source with knowledge of the situation is highly confident that BOTH Javan Buchanan and Brennan Lorient will play for WVU in 2026. Buchanan’s NCAA waiver was denied, moving his fifth-year eligibility fight into the legal system—but he remains enrolled, is allowed to practice and has been a full participant with Ross Hodge’s team. Meanwhile, Lorient is pursuing his own opportunity to regain a season through the courts. With WVU still holding an open roster spot, his return could provide Hodge with a...

Breaking news for WVU Basketball. Javan Buchanan's waiver path has taken another dramatic turn, and he's now expected to seek a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) in an effort to become immediately eligible for the 2026-27 season with the Mountaineers. After transferring from Boise State, Buchanan had been awaiting an NCAA waiver, but with that avenue no longer enough, the fight now appears headed to court. In today's episode, we break down what a TRO actually is, why Buchanan believes he has a case, how this compares to the growing wave of NCAA eligibility lawsuits, what the legal timeline could look...

Big 12 programs face a seismic shift as discussions of a $51 million NIL salary cap and athlete unionization threaten to reshape college football's power dynamic. Could these sweeping changes spell trouble for schools like Iowa State and Houston, while cementing the SEC and Big Ten’s dominance? Panelists question whether the proposed College Sports Act and emerging player associations, highlighted by Stanford’s union effort, will truly level the playing field or make the gap even wider.

The Big 12 Squad breaks down the potential fallout—debating player protections, enforcement loopholes, and the future of revenue sharing as media rights...

BREAKING NEWS: West Virginia defensive lineman Eddie Kelly Jr. is joining defensive back Jordan Scruggs in taking the NCAA to court as both players fight for fifth-year eligibility in 2026! Kelly has played four seasons at four different schools—USF, Georgia Tech, Missouri and WVU—and now hopes to return to Morgantown after finishing the 2025 season playing some of his best football. We break down what Kelly’s legal challenge means, how it connects to Scruggs’ upcoming hearing, the precedent these cases could establish and why getting both veterans back would be MASSIVE for Zac Alley’s WVU defense. Could the Mountainee...

EXCLUSIVE: I spoke DIRECTLY with former WVU cornerback Jordan Scruggs, and he confirmed his plans: He is taking the NCAA to court! 🚨 Scruggs is seeking a temporary restraining order in Monongalia County that would allow him to play a fifth season of college football in 2026. But this lawsuit is about way more than just one defensive back—it could trigger a massive DOMINO EFFECT across West Virginia athletics! If Scruggs beats the NCAA in a local court, could it provide the exact legal roadmap needed to save Brenen Lorient's final season of WVU Basketball? Lorient played four seasons in four years...

We are officially 39 days from kickoff, so it’s time to rank the top 39 players on WVU’s 2026 football roster! Mountaineer Paul counts down from No. 39 all the way to No. 1, breaking down West Virginia’s biggest stars, most important starters, breakout candidates and potential difference-makers. Who made the coveted top 10—and who deserves to be ranked as the best player on the Mountaineers’ roster? Drop your own top 10 in the comments and tell me which players I ranked too high, too low or left out entirely! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our...

Rick Trickett has spent more than 50 years developing dominant offensive linemen—and he may have found his next major project at WVU. Carsten Casady possesses the size, power and opportunity to emerge as one of West Virginia’s biggest breakout players in 2026. Could Trickett transform him into an NFL Draft pick? We break down Trickett’s remarkable résumé, Casady’s best traits and why this partnership could produce WVU’s next great offensive tackle. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

West Virginia fans, you can only choose ONE: Rich Rodriguez leads WVU football to nine wins in 2026—or Ross Hodge takes Mountaineer basketball to the Sweet 16. Which outcome is more likely? Which one would mean more to the fanbase? And if you were guaranteed only one, which would you choose? Mountaineer Paul breaks down both rosters, the challenges each team faces and why WVU fans finally have legitimate reasons to dream big in both football and basketball again. Let me know your choice in the comments: 9 WINS or SWEET 16? FanDuel Today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. Join all th...