⚡ CFB Dashboard

- Michael Hawkins Jr. projects as West Virginia's QB1, followed by Scotty Fox Jr. and veteran Max Brown. Jacksonville State transfer Cam Cook leads the backfield, with freshman Amari Latimer next in a deep rotation. - The projected starting pass-catching group is Prince Strachan at split end, Jaden Bray at flanker, DJ Epps in the slot and Ryan Ward at tight end; TaRon Francis and Josh Sapp headline experienced second-line options. - The projected offensive line is Kevin Brown, Nick Krahe, Wes King, Amare Grayson and Carsten Casady from left to right. King was moved to first-team center in late June, while the tackle alignment and another line spot were still being adjusted late in camp. - The front seven projects with Zeke Campbell, Corey McIntyre Jr., Nate Gabriel and Harper Holloman up front/at Bandit, plus Ben Cutter and Cam Torbor off the ball. Tyler Stolsky, Malachi Hood and Isaiah Patterson give the linebacker room experienced alternatives. - The projected secondary starts Nick Taylor and Chams Diagne at corner, Kamari Wilson high, Andrew Powdrell in the box and Geimere Latimer II at nickel. Powdrell's testing and immediate readiness drove his move into a starting role, while the kicker job remains an OR between Peter Notaro and Jack Cassidy.

- Jordan Scruggs told the host he was possibly returning to West Virginia's football team, but the snippets do not establish that return as final. - Scruggs' availability remains connected to an active court case, with potential roster effects for Brendan Lorient and other West Virginia players still unresolved.

- West Virginia paired a quarterback chosen for Rich Rodriguez's offense with a leading returning running back, a deeper receiver group and a credible offensive line, while adding length and pass-rush athleticism on defense. - The early schedule offers a path to enter the TCU game at 6-1 or better, with Oklahoma State, Arizona and Cincinnati at home plus a neutral-site Virginia matchup. - The source's reasonable expectation is 7-5 to 8-4, with 10-win upside only if Hawkins plays efficiently and the defense makes a major improvement.

- West Virginia enters 2026 with limited returning production and a particularly young quarterback room, increasing the offense's early-season uncertainty. - Defensive-line size and depth are the clearest concerns: the source expects a smaller front, sees little depth behind Cam Cook and is unsure whether the unit has a 300-pound player. - The offensive line is viewed as a relative strength despite the broader roster concerns.

- True freshman Kevin Brown has the inside track to start at left tackle and is regarded by people around the program as West Virginia's most game-ready offensive-line addition in decades. - Freshman Amari Latimer has worked with the starters and is projected as West Virginia's 1B running back with roughly 20% of the carries in a run-heavy offense. - Freshman Christopher Talley's explosive runs during fall camp have positioned him as a likely No. 3 running back who can fit Rich Rodriguez's emphasis on big-play speed. - Freshman Matt Sieg is competing for a safety rotation role and could also appear in selected offensive packages. - Summer arrival Vincent Smith is expected to contribute on special teams and work into West Virginia's cornerback rotation while he learns the defense.

- West Virginia expects one key contributor back for fall camp after he broke his collarbone on the final play of the spring game. - Bray and Prince Strong were identified as the receiver room's two largest medical questions, making durability central to building the 2026 passing game. - Cook's health will be especially important when West Virginia reaches the most difficult portion of its Big 12 schedule in October and November.

- Jordan Scruggs developed into a starting-caliber Big 12 corner after limited participation at earlier stops; the host believes he has high-end upside if he can remain healthy. - West Virginia could regain three defensive starters whose availability had been uncertain, which would materially improve continuity on that side of the ball. - Andrew Powell is a player to watch in what the host expects to be a highly competitive nickel battle.

- Ben Cutter is West Virginia's only returning defensive starter, leaving the current unit with roughly 1,121 returning snaps, the equivalent of only about one to one-and-a-half full-time defenders. - Adding all three potential returnees discussed in the episode would lift that total to 2,572 snaps, materially changing the experience profile of the defense. - The defensive line and edge group returns 467 snaps, while the secondary position group accounts for only 214, making both rotations major fall-camp evaluation points.

- Cornerback Jordan Scruggs obtained a temporary restraining order against the NCAA and is currently cleared to play for West Virginia. - Because his relief is temporary and tied to ongoing litigation, Scruggs' longer-term availability remains a legal status to monitor before the season.

- West Virginia returns meaningful cornerback production from 2025, giving the secondary a useful baseline entering fall camp. - Nick Taylor is an overlooked continuity piece after playing safety in Zac Alley's defense last season. - The defensive-back rotation remains open enough for depth players to earn snaps through physical, assignment-heavy work even if they are not elite single-coverage options.

- Michael Hawkins is West Virginia's expected starting quarterback, but Rich Rodriguez has said Scotty Fox will also play and the timing, duration and schematic effect of that rotation remain unclear. - Cam Cook and Amari Latimer are the established top two running backs, while West Virginia may use two-back sets but must identify a third option from a group with almost no Division I experience. - West Virginia's tight-end group may be limited early because Ryan Ward, Cam Ball, Carter Ziuliani and Kade Bush all missed portions of the preseason, even though Ball returned for the final scrimmage. - Jaden Bray is expected to play both outside and in the slot, where his vertical speed and potential use on screens, jet sweeps and backfield motions could create favorable spacing for teammates. - West Virginia's projected offensive line of Kevin Brown, Nick Krahe, Wes King, Amare Grayson and Carsten Casady stayed intact throughout camp, but the quality and deployment of the reserves remain unproven.

- RB: Another watch list for Cam Doak Walker Award Watch List @CamCook_4 , RB

- West Virginia appears to have one clear starting safety, but the depth and rotation behind him remain unsettled entering fall camp. - Sean Robinson could earn rotational work at high or free safety, while multiple players remain in the competition at box safety and the second corner spot.

- Safety Andrew Powell-Drell broke West Virginia's positional lifting record during offseason testing. - Powell-Drell's understanding of the defense also drew praise, giving WVU a notable preseason development in the secondary.

- Ben Cutter and Jameer Latimer are being highlighted as potential impact players in Zac Alley's 2026 West Virginia defense. - The source also singled out a returning defender who has added roughly 15 pounds of productive weight and continues to generate plays, improving the unit's physical upside.

- Jameer Latimer is being projected for a breakout season after previously thriving in Zach Alexander's defense. - Latimer's experience and ability to play nickel, safety or corner give West Virginia a versatile returning piece in the secondary.

- Bubba Grayson brings more than 1,600 offensive-line snaps from Jacksonville State into West Virginia's rebuilt front. - The incoming line group has encouraging run-blocking efficiency, but holding penalties and inconsistent footwork remain development points for Rick Trickett to address.

- West Virginia's placekicker job remained a legitimate three-way competition between Alabama transfer Peter Notaro, Western Kentucky transfer Jack Cassidy and returning kickoff specialist Nate Flower. - Macguire Moss and Bryan Hansen were the likely snapper and holder, respectively, with Hansen also projected to handle punting duties.

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- LB: yeah it's only fair that these four year players get the same treatment (five years to play five) as current players and so #lawsuits!