Ben Cutter is back for his senior season with the West Virginia Mountaineers, and it will mark his fourth season with the program. In what is a rarity in college football these days, he will end up spending the entirety of his collegiate career with the same program.
Of course, this didn't use to be anywhere near as a big deal. When transfer rules were a bit different and athletes could only transfer once unless they gained a waiver and had to sit out a season of action for doing so, the action of remaining with the same team for one's entire career was fairly common. And while it's good athletes can now get paid what they're worth, it has created some issues in the sport.
West Virginia linebacker Ben Cutter reveals reason for returning to Rich Rodriguez and the Mountaineers
When Cutter was asked during a press conference earlier this week on why he wanted to return, his answer showed a passion for the program he plays for – but it also, perhaps inadvertently, revealed a huge issue with college football in regards to the transfer portal.
WVU LB Ben Cutter on why he didn't transfer: “I love the state.”
— Spencer Ripchik (@RipchikSpencer) March 24, 2026
“I want to be able to be a West Virginia fan for the rest of my life. I don't know what people do who transfer around to 400 schools. Who do you support when you're done playing college football?”
"I love the state. I love this team. I don’t think there’s anything that could pull me out of here," Cutter said. "I want to be able to be a West Virginia fan for the rest of my life. I don't know what people do who transfer around to 400 schools. Who do you support when you're doing playing college football?"
In many ways, the end of his answer is a humorous, tongue-in-cheek follow-up to a declaration of true passion for his program and the people it represents. But it also does highlight a bigger issue with college football.
Many fans feel like they don't really know who plays for their program anymore, as so many players are consistently in-and-out of programs every year. You can see it at West Virginia, with the team welcoming over 80 new players for the second consecutive season in a row.
That creates some disillusionment for fans, and has many of them looking like the old men shaking their fists at the sky on their front lawn. It's not the end of the world for this author, but the sentiment has been expressed online by any number of fans of both WVU and of college football at large.
And if you're a West Virginia fan who feels that way, there may not be much consolation for you in 2026 – but at least you'll recognize Ben Cutter when he suits up for the Mountaineers this season.