On Tuesday, the West Virginia Mountaineers released their first official depth chart ahead of the 2025 season. Now that we have an idea of who will play where for WVU football when they take the field for their season opener on Saturday, let's take a closer look some some depth chart moves that came as a surprise -- and what this all might mean for the Mountaineers.
West Virginia has released its depth chart ahead of Robert Morris.
— Spencer Ripchik (@RipchikSpencer) August 26, 2025
WVU has five named players at starting quarterback. pic.twitter.com/sjyEp0OcaS
Surprises
1. The Starters At Safety
Technically, this a pair of surprises, because there are two safety positions. At the free safety position, Kekoura Tarnue and Derek Carter Jr. have both played for both Rich Rodriguez and Zac Alley at Jacksonville State and are entering their fifth seasons of college football. But sophomore Israel Boyce is listed as the starter. And at boundary safety, Justin Harrington is an eight-year player with experience in Alley's system, but Akron transfer Darrian Lewis will be starting over him.
Now, Harrington is just beginning to practice following an eligibility lawsuit, so there's time for him to earn the role this year. And Boyce has looked impressive in spring football action. But it still is a bit of a shock to some to see the two-deep at those positions.
2. A Rare True Freshman Appearance
It's not often you see a true freshman find his way into a Power 4 team's two-deep at the beginning of the year -- and there is only one for WVU this season. It's even more rare when that player was a three-star recruit, but that is the case for second-string nickel Chris Fileppo. It's likely you might hear his name against Robert Morris on Saturday, so keep your eye on him -- he could be a future star if he's already in the two-deep this early in his career.
3. Who Is (And Isn't) At Running Back
Jahiem White as the primary back will shock no one. But many probably expected to see redshirt freshman Diore Hubbard next in line. Or perhaps you'd guess that transfers such as former D2 standout Kannon Katzer or FCS standout Tye Edwards -- both 1,000 yard rushers at their previous stops in 2024 -- would occupy a second string role, or at least be third stringers.
But former walk-on and 2025 Tommy Nickolich Award recipient Clay Ash is listed as second string despite struggling with injuries during preseason camp, and neither Katzer or Edwards are among the four tailbacks listed. Now, Edwards is just getting to practice for the same reason as safety Justin Harrington and wideout Jeffrey Weimer, but he's the only one of the three to not make the depth chart at his position.
Further Analysis
Rich Rodriguez has stressed a five-man quarterback battle and Rhett Rodriguez teased the battle might stretch into the season. So it's not a surprise that there's not a solidified starter listed. But it's interesting all five contenders for the job made the depth chart with an "or" after their names. Expect Nicco Marchiol to be the first on the field Saturday, given the order the signal callers are listed in, and expect quarterback not to be fully sorted out until at least next week.
The offensive line looks as it did when practice was opened to media during preseason camp, and while Xavier Bausley's absence puzzling now as it was then, you have two former SEC stars anchoring the left side of the line, and four-year veteran with significant experience in Landen Livingston at center, and a multi-year FBS starter at left guard in Walter Young Bear.
Other than that, many of the names are to be expected and in an order that isn't neccesarily shocking to a ton of people. All that's left? Is to see if they pieces come together and excel once the whistle blows on game day.