While West Virginia football has seen a number of players depart in the transfer portal, the fanbase can take solace in the fact that the window for Mountaineers to hit the portal closed as 2025 commenced and a number of starters and key players from last season have come out since reaffirming their commitment to the program.
The wave or returners started on New Year's Day as backup quarterback and expected 2025 starter Nicco Marchiol announced his return to WVU -- Marchiol served as the backup for Garrett Green the past two seasons and went 3-0 as a starter in relief of Greene over that period. He is 71-for-122 passing for 742 yards, 8 touchdowns, and 5 interceptions over his career with the Mountaineers.
On Friday, the news got even better as it was announced a trio of Mountaineers that either served as a starter or saw significant playing time in 2024 are also coming back -- running back Jahiem White, wide receiver Rodney Gallagher III, and defensive lineman Edward Vesterinen all announced they will return to Morgantown.
White has started numerous games at WVU during his two seasons and has rushed for 1,687 yards and 11 touchdowns during his time with the Mountaineers while also adding 247 yards and 3 touchdowns receiving.
Gallagher has also spent two seasons at Morgantown playing a significant role in the team's offense -- he was a highly-touted four-star recruit from just north of Morgantown in Uniontown, PA, and has been touted by Hall of Famer Darrelle Revis as a future NFL star. He's hauled in 36 passes for 362 yards and 3 touchdowns and rushed for 138 yards during his time at WVU.
Vesterinen is a four-year member of the roster for WVU and would have exhausted his eligibility this past season but an early injury sidelined him for the year, opening the path to return in 2025 by using a medical redshirt. He has managed 47 tackles and 4.5 sacks over his WVU career.
The return of these four veteran members of the program will certainly be crucial for the Mountaineers as first-year head coach Rich Rodriguez works to piece together his roster for 2025.