West Virginia Mountaineers Explore Quarterback Options Ahead of BYU Matchup

Morgantown, W.Va. — West Virginia quarterback Khalil Wilkins shined in his brief appearance during a recent game against Utah, providing a glimmer of hope for the Mountaineers amid a challenging season. The redshirt freshman stepped in after starter Nicco Marchiol was sidelined with a foot injury, leading to West Virginia’s first points in a lopsided defeat.

Wilkins’ debut saw him complete three passes for 63 yards and a touchdown, showing promise with both running and passing skills. His performance was a stark contrast to Texas A&M transfer Jaylen Henderson, who struggled to find rhythm and only completed three passes for 22 yards before Wilkins took over.

Mountaineers head coach Rich Rodriguez praised Wilkins, saying, “Khalil can make all the throws. Obviously, he’s a dynamic runner.” He credited Wilkins for injecting some life into the offense, admitting he missed a couple of open opportunities that could have resulted in touchdowns.

The team’s injury troubles continue as they prepare for their matchup against BYU this Friday. Marchiol remains unavailable, and Henderson and Charlotte transfer Max Brown are listed as questionable for the game. Rodriguez acknowledged the limited practice time available this week, saying both quarterbacks are banged up and that Wilkins might be in line for his first start.

Rodriguez shared his thoughts on Wilkins, highlighting that his skill set aligns with the traditional West Virginia quarterback style that has succeeded in the past. “Khalil has got some big, explosive type of ability. His future looks really good,” Rodriguez added, showing optimism as the Mountaineers approach their next game.

West Virginia enters the game at 2-3, with the pressure mounting as injuries and performance issues linger. The upcoming matchup will be critical for the team’s hopes of reversing their fortunes this season against a formidable BYU squad.