West Virginia football announces "Weight Room Warriors of the Week"

In what might be a new weekly honor doled out to West Virginia football players under the second Rich Rodriguez era, the Mountaineers announced earlier this week on social media their "Weight Room Warriors of the Week."

The plaudit, which was announced with four recipients this go-round, was posted to social media on Tuesday this week. A quartet of returning players from last season's roster -- quarterback Nicco Marchiol, defensive back Kekoura Tarnue, linebacker Reid Carrico, and offensive lineman Landen Livingston were given the honor.

Marchiol and Livingston are perhaps the most intriguing names to pop up early as standouts in off-season training. Marchiol was presumed to be the heir apparent at starting quarterback following the graduation of former starter Garrett Greene, but the transfer portal addition of two veteran transfer quarterbacks with SEC experience in Jaylen Henderson and Max Brown give the impression there will be a heated quarterback battle this spring -- perhaps even playing out over the summer and beginning of fall camp. Marchiol having standout performances in the weight room could show that he's ready to step up and compete for the job.

Livingston spent the season as a back-up to starting center Brandon Yates and is one of few returning offensive lineman from last year's squad with significant experience in game action. The Mountaineers have added six offensive lineman so far in the transfer portal and bring in a number of player at the position in the Class of 2025 as well, and the projected depth chart in the trenches next fall is up in the air -- this shows Livingston might be in a postion to seriously compete as a starter.

Tarnue makes sense, as he's accustomed to playing under Rodriguez due to his time under the veteran coach at Jacksonville State and understands the expectations inside a Rodriguez-led program. It also shows he might be ready to take a veteran leadership role as he returns for an unexpected fifth season of eligibility.

Carrico will look to have a similar role in the linebacking corps as he stands as a veteran presence with experience in both the Big 12 and Big 10 amidst a linebacker room that has been shrunk by graduation and the transfer portal.