The West Virginia Mountaineers know who their starting quarterback will be against the Utah Utes on Saturday.
Nicco Marchiol had started at signal caller for WVU football through their first four games this season but was officially ruled out on Thursday night, leaving questions as to where WVU would go with the quarterback situation.
According to Pete Thamel of ESPN, the answer to that question is going to be Jaylen Henderson. Henderson has been listed as Marchiol's backup on all four depth charts this season and was the second quarterback to enter the game against Robert Morris, Ohio, and Kansas – he also saw action against Pitt but was the third quarterback into the game after Marchiol and Scotty Fox Jr.
Source: West Virginia is expected to start redshirt senior Jaylen Henderson at quarterback against Utah on Saturday. Henderson started four games for Texas A&M in 2023 and began his career at Fresno State. He's a dual-threat who has rushed for 118 yards this year for WVU. pic.twitter.com/XYntJawJVE
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) September 26, 2025
Last week was Henderson's most impressive performance for WVU yet, as he led the team in rushing with 79 yards on seven carries and scored the Mountaineers' only touchdown in a brutal loss to Kansas. On the season, Henderson is 4-for-11 passing the ball for 28 yards, and has 16 carries for 118 yards and one touchdown.
Before joining the Mountaineers for his final season of collegiate eligibility, Henderson also played at Fresno State and Texas A&M. Over his career, he is 62-for-97 through the air for 792 yards, six touchdowns, and two interceptions and has also amassed 288 yards and three rushing touchdowns.
Henderson will be tasked with trying to stimulate an offense that has struggled mightily through it's first few games this season, and will now have his opportunity to truly run the WVU offense as the most trusted option for the first time this season.