With an ugly loss to a MAC opponent in Week 2 that resulted in multiple injuries to WVU starters, it's no surprise that we might see a little bit of a change in the depth chart for the Mountaineers as they enter Week 3 and are set for a matchup with rival Pitt in The Backyard Brawl.
On Tuesday evening, the Mountaineers' depth chart for the coming game was released, and there are indeed some new names in the starting lineup for the Mountaineers. In particular, the replacements for running back Jahiem White and wide receiver Jaden Bray – who both started each of the first two games for WVU and will now miss the remainder of the 2025 season due to injuries sustained against Ohio – have been named.
WVU depth chart for Pitt. Some changes this week. pic.twitter.com/oGbyOBLgYQ
— Spencer Ripchik (@RipchikSpencer) September 9, 2025
At the Z receiver position, WVU veteran Preston Fox will slide into the first-string role on the depth chart to replace Bray. Fox is in his sixth and final season of college football after briefly retiring and then returning this past offseason, and he has spent his entire career at WVU. He has the third most game appearances of any player on the team with 43, and has started 12 games over his career. Fox has one reception for 20 yards so far this season and has also added four kick returns for 99 yards and seven punt returns for 71 yards as a starter on special teams.
Former walk-on and 2025 Tommy Nickolich Award winner Clay Ash will earn the starting nod at tailback in place of White after spending the past two weeks at second-string behind the preseason All-American. Ash will make just his 11th appearance and first-ever start at the collegiate level this week, and has tallied nine carries for 28 yards so far this season.
One more change in the starting lineup came on defense, as Devin Grant moved to second-string at defensive end and was replaced in the starting spot by Eddie Kelly Jr., who will make his first start of the season after Grant started the first two games. It will be Kelly's tenth career start and 40th career game at the collegiate level. Kelly has recorded four tackles and one pass breakup this season.