MORGANTOWN — The mass exodus of West Virginia players, and significant players, continued on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day.
Three long-time Mountaineers, quarterback Nicco Marchiol, wide receiver Rodney Gallagher and defensive lineman Hammond Russell, all announced that they’d be entering the transfer portal when it opens on Jan. 2.
Marchiol’s transfer was known to be coming for months now after a report surfaced from On3, but he hadn’t made anything official until New Year’s Day. He spent a lot of the season in Arizona, where he’s from, rehabbing from his mid-foot injury that kept him out for the last eight games of the 2025 season. He did show up to support his teammates later in the season on the sideline.
Marchiol was 2-2 as a starter in 2025 and had a big-time performance against Pitt in the Backyard Brawl. Marchiol was benched and then came back in, marching the Mountaineers down the field for a tying touchdown drive. WVU won in overtime.
However, there was some questions heading into the season if Marchiol, who’s primarily a passer, would fit Rich Rodriguez’s offense, which for years had centered around a dual-threat QB. Marchiol decided it was best for him to leave, he announced in a social media post.
“After much prayer, reflection and conversations with those closest to me, I’ve decided to enter the NCAA Transfer Portal as a graduate transfer with two years of eligibility to pursue the next chapter of my career,” Marchiol wrote. “This decision comes with peace in my heart and complete trust in God’s timing and direction for my life. Thank you, Morgantown, for the growth, the challenges, and the moments that shaped me. This place will aways be a part of my story.”
Marchiol was with the Mountaineers for three years and played in over 20 games. He’s most known for his two wins in the Backyard Brawl. Marchiol finished his time at WVU, throwing for 1,462 yards and 10 touchdowns.
Gallagher was a highly sought-after 4-star recruit out of Uniontown, Pennsylvania, and was recruited by former head coach Neal Brown. Gallagher played for three seasons and racked up 605 yards and three touchdowns in his time in Morgantown. This past season, Gallagher had 28 catches for 243 yards and couldn’t find pay dirt.
With Gallagher’s departure, WVU’s wide receiver room takes a big hit, if it wasn’t hurt already. Last week, WVU’s leading receiver Cam Vaughn announced he intends to leave. With other transfers and graduations, the Mountaineers’ top seven receiving leaders won’t be coming back for 2026. The next man up is Jaden Bray, who’s dealt with injuries all year and missed most of 2025.
Rodriguez will definitely have to look into the portal himself to pick up an experienced pass catcher. Some receivers are coming in the 2026 recruiting class. WVU has two of the top five JUCO wide receivers, including Keon Hutchins, who is the top JUCO player, but no real experience.
Gallagher and Marchiol weren’t the only players to leave. Russell was another Brown recruit who decided to come back in Year 1 of Rodriguez, but changed his mind in Year 2. Russell was known as the “glue guy” to his peers and played for three years. Russell missed most of the year with an injury and only played in the first six games. Russell concluded his time at WVU with 5.5 sacks and 6.5 tackles for loss. He was on pace to have a great 2025, with two sacks.
There have been a lot of players to transfer, which was expected. It’s just that it’s been the more well-known names that have been surprising to fans. Names like running backs Jahiem White, Diore Hubbard, Cyncir Bowers and Vaughn have all decided to leave. Then add Gallagher and Russell to that list. Marchiol was a bit more expected.
There has been some leadership change. Running backs coach Larry Porter left for the Auburn job, so transfers were expected. Rodriguez recently hired Kentucky’s Jay Boulware in his place. There are also 49 players in the 2026 class, so there had to be some departures.
The total is getting up there, even before the portal has officially opened. WVU is now up to 39 players expected to or have entered the portal. Most were Brown recruits, officially marking the fresh Rodriguez era.
