West Virginia University’s quarterback Nicco Marchiol plans to medically redshirt and enter the transfer portal after the 2025 season. This comes after a year filled with injuries and some shaky performances.
Marchiol started the first four games but dealt with a nagging mid-foot injury that really limited him. At times, he looked great—like when he threw the game-winning touchdown against Pitt—but he never quite fit into Rich Rodriguez’s offense. Now, WVU has to look elsewhere at quarterback for the rest of the year.
Nicco Marchiol’s Journey at WVU
Marchiol’s time at West Virginia has been a wild ride. At first, he stood out as one of the few players who stuck around after Neal Brown got fired, showing genuine loyalty to the program.
Last year, he played in eight games, started two, and even led the Mountaineers to wins over Pitt and Texas Tech. But this season just hasn’t followed the same script.
Early Season Struggles
Marchiol opened 2025 as the starting quarterback, but something felt off right away. After the Kansas game, he told Rich Rodriguez about his foot injury, which had been bugging him for weeks.
The injury forced him to miss the Utah game and sent him to doctors in Colorado and Arizona. He ended up missing the BYU game too, and his absence was obvious on the field.
Performance and Statistics
Even with the injury, Marchiol managed a few solid outings. He threw for 720 yards, two touchdowns, and two picks in four games.
His best moment? That comeback win over Pitt, when he found the end zone with just seconds left. But those flashes didn’t secure his hold on the starting job.
The Fit Issue
One big reason Marchiol wants to transfer is the clash between his style and Rich Rodriguez’s offense. Rodriguez wants a quarterback who can run—and run a lot.
Marchiol can move, but not at the level Rodriguez wants. His arm is his strength, but it wasn’t enough to make up for the lack of wheels.
Rodriguez’s Offensive Scheme
Rodriguez builds his offense around a quarterback who can really contribute to the ground game. He’s always leaned that way.
Marchiol’s passing is impressive, but he just doesn’t fit the mold. That mismatch pushed him to look for a better fit elsewhere.
Other Quarterback Options
With Marchiol out, WVU will turn to other quarterbacks. The roster has a mix of veteran transfers and younger players who’ve all gotten a shot this season.
- Jaylen Henderson – A transfer from Texas A&M
- Max Brown – A transfer from Charlotte
- Khalil Wilkins – A promising young talent
- Scottie Fox Jr. – Another young quarterback with potential
Each of these guys has had their moments, and all seem to fit Rodriguez’s run-heavy offense better than Marchiol did.
Future Prospects for Marchiol
As Marchiol heads for the transfer portal, where will he go next? With his arm and leadership, he’ll probably draw interest from plenty of teams that need a quarterback.
He’ll also get an extra year of eligibility thanks to the medical redshirt, which makes him even more appealing for coaches looking to build around a veteran.
Potential Landing Spots
It’s tough to guess which school he’ll pick, but he’d fit best in a more traditional, pass-first offense. Teams that want a precise passer to lead the air attack should give him a look.
Impact on WVU
For West Virginia, Marchiol’s exit closes one chapter but opens the door for someone new. The team now needs to find a leader who can really thrive in Rodriguez’s system.
The rest of the season should reveal who’s ready to take on that challenge.
Conclusion
Nicco Marchiol’s journey at WVU has had its fair share of ups and downs. His choice to medically redshirt and enter the transfer portal marks a big shift.
Sure, his chapter in the Gold and Blue might be closing, but his football story isn’t done yet. He’s looking for a new home, and honestly, there’s a lot of curiosity about where he’ll land next.
WVU now faces the task of finding a quarterback who can really click with Rodriguez’s system. It’s been a rough season for the Mountaineers, but maybe that just means it’s time for fresh faces to step up and take charge.
If you want all the details on Marchiol’s decision and what it means, check out the full report here.
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