They say that hard times don't last, but hard people do. That means that former WVU football quarterback Nicco Marchiol is going to be just fine.
From leading a legendary comeback in high school while injured and vomiting on the sidelines, to re-taking the field after being benched and leading a comeback to win the Backyard Brawl in overtime, Marchiol fit Rich Rodriguez's definition of 'hard edge' in many ways. But hard times came about as Marchiol struggled for the Mountaineers as a starter last season before a foot injury sidelined him for the season.
Marchiol took a medical redshirt and hit the transfer portal, but has yet to make many waves as a prospect. But now, it appears he could be set to find his new home to finish his collegiate career. Reporting indicates that Marchiol is currently visiting Northwestern, who is in the hunt for a new starting quarterback after former starter Preston Stone wrapped up his collegiate career this past season.
NEW: West Virginia QB Nicco Marchiol is taking a visit to Northwestern until tomorrow @MarchiolNicco 🚨 pic.twitter.com/K6XTMOt4xk
— College Transfer Portal (@CollegeFBPortal) March 13, 2026
If Marchiol lands with the Wildcats, he'll likely be in contention for the starting job, but he'll be competing against another Power 4 starter to earn it. The Wildcats already added former Michigan State starter Aidan Chiles in the transfer portal this offseason, who transferred after being benched in 2025 and seeing his head coach Jonathan Smith (who he followed from Oregon State) get handed a pink slip.
Marchiol finished up a four-year tenure with WVU with a 5-2 record as a starter and two Backyard Brawl wins – with one of those not coming as a starter, but in relief of an injured Garrett Greene in 2023. Over his stint with the Mountaineers he passed for 1,452 yards, 10 touchdowns, and seven interceptions while adding 341 rushing yards and four touchdowns on the ground. He has two years of eligibility remaining.