Locked On West Virginia - Daily Podcast on West Virginia Mountaineers Football & Basketball

#CollegeFootball #WVU #WestVirginia Rich Rodriguez casually dropped some major program intel during a conversation at the WVU-Utah basketball game — and it might signal a new era for West Virginia football. Over 95 players have signed revenue-sharing contracts. Some of those deals are two-year agreements. That’s not just paperwork. That’s retention. In this episode, we break down what multi-year structures mean for roster stability, how it impacts spring practice starting March 7, why WVU doesn’t appear to be chasing seven-figure quarterback deals, and how this strategy could reshape the Mountaineers’ place in the evolving Big 12 landscape. Is this the stability Rich Rodriguez has needed to fully install his system? And could this be the quiet advantage WVU has been missing in the portal era? Let’s dig into the direction of the program. #WVU #WestVirginia #RichRodriguez #WVUFootball #Mountaineers #Big12 #CollegeFootball #NIL #RevenueSharing #HardEdge #LockedOnWVU Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

#WVU #Mountaineers #RichRod Portal players are finding out quickly that winter in Morgantown is no joke. Between Rich Rodriguez’s conditioning, the pace of practice, and workouts that have guys bent over gasping… this offseason is different. One player told me straight up — winter workouts are kicking his BUTT! But there’s one thing keeping morale high. Tudor’s. Yes. Tudor’s Biscuit World. The Big Breakfast. The cheese. The gravy. The fuel of Appalachia. In this episode we break down: • How winter conditioning is separating guys • Why some players are already struggling • What this says about culture buy-in • And how a local biscuit spot somehow became the offseason MVP This isn’t just funny locker room talk. This is portal players realizing Morgantown isn’t just another stop. It’s cold. It’s competitive. And apparently… it comes with biscuits. Let’s talk about it. #WVU #Mountaineers #RichRod #TransferPortal #HardEdge #Tudors #CollegeFootball Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

#WVU #TCU #ACC Are the ACC expansion rumors involving West Virginia and TCU actually new — or are they being recycled from old reports? In this episode, we break down the timeline behind the latest chatter connecting WVU and TCU to the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) and separate speculation from current reality. Much of the noise circulating online traces back to reporting from 2023, when the ACC explored potential expansion scenarios involving programs from the Big 12 and elsewhere. But in 2026, the landscape looks very different. We walk through: • What was actually reported about the ACC • The context behind WVU and TCU being mentioned • The state of the Big 12 Conference • How past realignment discussions are being reframed • Where schools like Florida State, Clemson, and other ACC members fit into the broader realignment picture • Why timeline and context matter Realignment conversations have also involved the SEC, Big Ten, and ongoing legal tensions within the ACC itself — which makes understanding the structure of each conference crucial before jumping to conclusions. This episode is about clarity. No panic. No rage. Just receipts and context. Mountaineer Nation deserves the full picture. #WVU #TCU #ACC #Big12 #CollegeFootball #ConferenceRealignment #Mountaineers #Big12Football #CFB #WVUSports #Mountaineers #CollegeFootball #Realignment #ACCFootball #Big12Football Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

#wvu #tcu #hornedfrogs Another abysmal performance on offense for West Virginia, as the Mountaineers lose again in Fort Worth in a game they had to have vs TCU. Just a horrible performance on offense. Join Paul and Troy as they go live. #wvu #tcu #hornedfrogs #mountaineers #big12 #collegebasketball Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

#WVU #WestVirginia #RichRodriguez Is 2026 the year West Virginia makes a REAL jump under Rich Rodriguez? National voices are starting to hint at it! And when you break down the pieces, it’s not hard to see why! Mountaineer Paul is getting pretty excited! Come see ALL the reasons ESPN LISTED BELOW This isn’t about sneaking into a bowl game. This is about West Virginia re-entering the Big 12 conversation. Rodriguez has rebuilt this program before. The cultural edge is back. The retention is real. The schedule window is there. Now the question becomes: Is the bounce back coming faster than people expected? Let’s break it down with MP on this episode of Locked On West Virginia! #WVU #WestVirginia #RichRodriguez #Mountaineers #Big12 #CollegeFootball #WVUFootball #HailWV #CountryRoads Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

#WVU #WestVirginia #RichRodriguez Rich Rodriguez casually dropped some major program intel during a conversation at the WVU-Utah basketball game — and it might signal a new era for West Virginia football. Over 95 players have signed revenue-sharing contracts. Some of those deals are two-year agreements. That’s not just paperwork. That’s retention. In this episode, we break down what multi-year structures mean for roster stability, how it impacts spring practice starting March 7, why WVU doesn’t appear to be chasing seven-figure quarterback deals, and how this strategy could reshape the Mountaineers’ place in the evolving Big 12 landscape. Is this the stability Rich Rodriguez has needed to fully install his system? And could this be the quiet advantage WVU has been missing in the portal era? Let’s dig into the direction of the program. #WVU #WestVirginia #RichRodriguez #WVUFootball #Mountaineers #Big12 #CollegeFootball #NIL #RevenueSharing #HardEdge #LockedOnWVU Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

#wvu #utah #mountaineers West Virginia loses a quad 3 game somehow letting a Utah team who hadn't won a game on the road in TWO YEARS to beat them at home. This team obviously doesn't deserve to go to the Tournament. #wvu #utah #mountaineers #collegebasketball #utes #big12 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

#WVU #WestVirginia #Mountaineers West Virginia has a problem. After losing Jeff Casteel to retirement and seeing Larry Knight leave just 36 days after being hired, the Mountaineers are once again searching for a Bandits coach. And now one name is buzzing among fans… Bruce Irvin. The former first-round pick and Super Bowl champion is one of the greatest pass rushers in WVU history. But does elite NFL experience translate into being ready to lead a position group in the Big 12? In this episode of Locked On WVU, Mountaineer Paul goes FULL MESTEMAKER on the Bruce Irvin idea: His 22-sack WVU career What he learned as a decade-long NFL pass rusher Recruiting impact if he joins the staff How he fits into Zac Alley’s defensive structure The real risk vs reward of hiring a legend And whether WVU needs experience… or EDGE Is this nostalgia talking — or could this actually work? Drop your thoughts in the comments. Would you hire Bruce Irvin? #WVU #WestVirginia #Mountaineers #RichRodriguez #BruceIrvin #Big12 #CollegeFootball #LockedOnWVU Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

#WVU #RichRod #WestVirginia Rich Rodriguez has coached for over 30 years, won nearly 190 games, claimed multiple conference championships at four different stops, built elite offenses across the country — and somehow he’s being labeled as “warm” after just one season back at West Virginia. Make it make sense. In this episode, we break down Rodriguez’s full coaching résumé, his track record of rebuilding programs, his success at Jacksonville State before returning to Morgantown, and why judging a culture reset after one year is not serious analysis. Is this fair criticism? Or just national engagement bait? Let’s talk about it. #WVU #RichRod #WestVirginia #CollegeFootball #CFBHotSeat #Big12 #Mountaineers #HardEdge #CFBReport #WVUFootball Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

#WVU #WVUFootball #Mountaineers West Virginia just might be building another ranked incoming class for 2027, and the following players are all in different stages of their recruitment! • Verified measurements • Verified game production • Verified strength numbers • Confirmed academic markers • Locked-in official visit timelines Justice Hardy has a June OV set. Ethan Lawson is scheduled for June 12–14. Miguel Wilson is trending toward Morgantown. Broncs Baker has WVU firmly in the mix. This isn’t scattershot recruiting. This is a defined board. And the fingerprints are clear. Rick Trickett is targeting specific body types in the trenches. Length. Strength. Academic stability. Physical ceilings. The kind of linemen that fit what WVU wants to become — not what it used to be. The offensive line board has direction. The defensive board has verified traction. The skill positions have real timelines attached. That’s how ranked classes are built. Not with hope. With structure. In this episode: • We break down the full 2027 board snapshot • Who is trending toward official visits • Where WVU stands with each priority target • Why the measurables matter • How Trickett’s influence is shaping the trenches • And whether this momentum is sustainable This isn’t hype. It’s momentum with documentation. And if this pace holds? Yes — West Virginia just might be lining up another ranked class. #WVU #WVUFootball #Mountaineers #WVURecruiting #Big12 #Big12Football #RickTrickett #CollegeFootballRecruiting #HardEdge #LockedOnWVU #TrustTheClimb #RecruitingBoard Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Kansas State faces turmoil as the administration looks to avoid paying Jerome Tang’s $18.7 million buyout, sparking debate among Big 12 insiders about program integrity and leadership. Are contract loopholes undermining the conference’s coaching culture, and where does Kansas State now rank in the Big 12 basketball hierarchy? The Big 12 Squad tackles whether poor performance should justify firing for cause and the impact of high-stakes transfer portal gambles. BYU contends with a wave of bad luck—losing a top football receiver to criminal allegations and basketball’s Richie Saunders to a torn ACL. The hosts question accountability within the Cougars’ program as off-field scandals resurface for the second straight year. Plus, hear candid locker-room takes, cruise ship disasters, and plenty of banter, as the Locked On Big 12 crew breaks down implications for conference standings and speculates on BYU’s ability to stay competitive amidst setbacks. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

#WVU #Mountaineers #Bracketology ESPN bracketologist Joe Lunardi has officially moved West Virginia onto the bubble — but are the Mountaineers IN or still on the outside looking in? After a massive road win over UCF, WVU now sits in the “Next Four Out” in Lunardi’s latest projection. With the regular season winding down, the margin for error is razor thin — and one bad loss could wipe everything out. In this episode of Locked On WVU, we break down: • Lunardi’s latest bubble update • Why the UCF win changed everything • What WVU MUST do to feel safe on Selection Sunday • Is 20 wins enough — or do they need 21? • The committee metrics that matter most PLUS — we preview Wednesday’s showdown with Utah alongside Locked On Utes host J.T. Wistercil. Utah may be 9–15 (1–10), but this is the ultimate trap game. We get the Utes’ perspective, what they do well, how they match up with WVU, and why this game is far more dangerous than the record suggests. West Virginia is no longer chasing a miracle. They’re fighting for survival. And the tournament may have already started for the Mountaineers. #WVU #Mountaineers #Bracketology #MarchMadness #Big12 #JoeLunardi #UtahUtes #LockedOnWVU #LockedOnUtes #BubbleWatch #CollegeBasketball #SelectionSunday #Hodge #WVUHoops Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

#WVU #WestVirginia #WVUFootball West Virginia football continues to face skepticism — from portal additions being labeled “unproven” to upside players being dismissed outright because of raw stat lines. On today’s show, I respond directly to the WVU football doubters and break down why that narrative doesn’t hold up. We talk context over box scores, snap counts vs development, and why evaluating portal players without understanding roster competition and usage is a mistake. We also address the claim that WVU “didn’t add enough P4 talent” — and lay out exactly which Power-4 programs WVU pulled players from, how many were rotation-blocked, and why upside + development is the foundation of Rich Rodriguez’s first true recruiting cycle. This isn’t blind optimism. It’s roster construction, player development, and reality — whether the doubters like it or not. #WVU #WestVirginia #WVUFootball #Big12 #TransferPortal #CollegeFootball #LockedOnWV Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

#WVU #Mountaineers #TransferPortal Virginia Tech thought they had him. They didn’t. One of the TOP EDGE defenders still available in the transfer portal — a former Virginia Tech decommit — is back on the market, and West Virginia is now VERY much in play. I spoke directly with the player, and the story here isn’t talent, effort, or football fit. This came down to timing and admissions, not ability. The academic situation is cleared, eligibility is clean, and Power-level programs are lining up. Meanwhile… the Hokies are left watching 👀 If WVU pulls this off, it wouldn’t just be another portal add — it would be a statement win, especially with the rivalry angle baked in. Big frame. Big upside. Big-time late-cycle opportunity. We break down: • Why this EDGE is still available • What really happened with Virginia Tech (hint: it wasn’t football) • Why WVU fits the profile perfectly • And how this could impact the Mountaineers’ defensive ceiling by October Sometimes the portal doesn’t knock — it reopens. And sometimes… your rival drops the bag. #WVU #Mountaineers #TransferPortal #CollegeFootball #PortalSeason #VirginiaTech #Hokies #Big12 #CFB #EdgeRusher #Recruiting Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

#WVU #Mountaineers #WVUHoops West Virginia flipped the script after halftime, storming back with urgency, energy, and execution to take down UCF. What looked shaky early turned into a statement finish, as the Mountaineers locked in defensively, found rhythm offensively, and controlled the tempo when it mattered most. A true second-half response that showed toughness, adjustments, and belief. #WVU #Mountaineers #WVUHoops #BeatUCF #Big12 #Big12Basketball #CollegeBasketball #SecondHalfSurge #ComebackWin #MountaineerNation #HornsDown #DefenseWins #ClutchMoments Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

#WVU #Mountaineers #TransferPortal Virginia Tech thought they had him. They didn’t. One of the TOP EDGE defenders still available in the transfer portal — a former Virginia Tech decommit — is back on the market, and West Virginia is now VERY much in play. I spoke directly with the player, and the story here isn’t talent, effort, or football fit. This came down to timing and admissions, not ability. The academic situation is cleared, eligibility is clean, and Power-level programs are lining up. Meanwhile… the Hokies are left watching 👀 If WVU pulls this off, it wouldn’t just be another portal add — it would be a statement win, especially with the rivalry angle baked in. Big frame. Big upside. Big-time late-cycle opportunity. We break down: • Why this EDGE is still available • What really happened with Virginia Tech (hint: it wasn’t football) • Why WVU fits the profile perfectly • And how this could impact the Mountaineers’ defensive ceiling by October Sometimes the portal doesn’t knock — it reopens. And sometimes… your rival drops the bag. #WVU #Mountaineers #TransferPortal #CollegeFootball #PortalSeason #VirginiaTech #Hokies #Big12 #CFB #EdgeRusher #Recruiting Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

#WVU #Mountaineers #TaRonFrancis There’s been a lot of talk about TaRon “Manchild” Francis and a possible injury — and this time, it isn’t coming out of thin air. TaRon himself posted a photo on Instagram using a knee bike, which is typically associated with lower-body injuries. That image is what sparked the recent wave of discussion and concern among WVU fans. In this video, I break down: The Instagram post that started it all Why knee bikes are usually used (and what they don’t confirm) What’s been reported publicly so far What we still do not know because WVU has not released an official update This is not speculation for clicks — it’s acknowledging visible evidence while staying honest about what hasn’t been confirmed yet. Until WVU or the coaching staff provides more clarity, all we can responsibly say is this: the concern is understandable, but the details remain unknown. #WVU #Mountaineers #TaRonFrancis #WVUFootball #CollegeFootball #Big12 #CFB #InjuryUpdate #MountaineerNation #CollegeFootballNews Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

#WVU #WestVirginia #Mountaineers Here you go — clean, safe, hype but defensible, and matched to that thumbnail: West Virginia fans know how rare it is when a QB–RB pairing truly changes the ceiling of a program. On today’s show, I’m joined by a guest who believes Mike Hawkins Jr. and Cam Cook could develop into that kind of duo — the type that stresses defenses every snap and completely reshapes an offense. That’s a massive statement, and to be clear: no one is crowning anyone yet. But when you break down the traits, the fit, and the way these two complement each other, it’s easy to see why the comparison to Pat White and Steve Slaton even comes up. We dig into: Why Hawkins’ skill set matters in today’s college football What makes Cook such a dangerous piece in space How elite QB–RB chemistry actually forms And whether WVU could be building something special again Is it too early? Maybe. Is the upside worth talking about? Absolutely. Let’s have the conversation. #WVU #WestVirginia #Mountaineers #WVUFootball #LockedOnWVU Players / Topic #MikeHawkinsJr #CamCook #QB #RunningBack #CollegeFootball Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

#WVU #BobHuggins #CollegeBasketball The Bob Huggins documentary announcement is taking off — nearly 1 million views, national attention, and public support from celebrities and figures across sports and media. And yet… locally? Silence. No response from the University. No acknowledgment from major local WVU media outlets. Not a word. In this episode, we’re not piling on — we’re asking the obvious question: Why? Is this about unresolved feelings? Old grudges? Institutional discomfort? Or is this just a case of a massive story being quietly avoided? When something this big is happening everywhere else, the absence of local voices becomes part of the story itself. Let’s talk about what’s being said — and what isn’t. Optional Hashtags (use or trim) #WVU #BobHuggins #CollegeBasketball #SportsMedia #MediaSilence #Mountaineers #WVUHoops #CollegeSports #Documentary #Journalism #Accountability Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.