Before you get upset that I’m even listing transfer quarterback options, it’s part of the process, folks. Just about every coach that gets a new job will portal in a quarterback, regardless of the overall shape of the room. It doesn’t mean the guy Rich Rodriguez brings in will start, but he will look for someone he believes fits his offense to a T.

As I mentioned in an article yesterday, Nicco Marchiol can operate Rich Rod’s offense and potentially do well in it. Is he a perfect fit, though? Probably not. If you’re Rodriguez, you can’t put all your eggs in one basket in your first year on the job with a quarterback who hasn’t been a full-time starter. You have to add competition.

There are several quarterbacks in the portal, but if WVU wants to swing for the fences, there are some intriguing options.

Mateer is the top quarterback in the portal, and while he may come with a big price tag, it’d be silly not to at least consider him and see what he’s looking for. Oklahoma is probably the favorite to land him, given his offensive coordinator at Wazzu, Ben Arbuckle, recently took the OC job there. This season, Mateer completed 64.6% of his pass attempts for 3,139 yards and 29 touchdowns to seven interceptions. He also rushed for 826 yards and 15 touchdowns. Whoever lands this kid is getting a program changer.

Noland did not see any action in his true freshman season in Columbus but is going to be a popular target for QB-needy teams. The former four-star recruit held offers from Alabama, Arkansas, Auburn, Clemson, Colorado, Louisville, Miami, NC State, Ole Miss, Oregon, Texas A&M, WVU, and several others. For his high school career, Noland threw for 10,164 yards and 126 touchdowns to 25 interceptions while adding 334 yards and six touchdowns with his legs.

Salter seems to be leaning toward Colorado, with Syracuse still in the mix as well. It might be a bit late in the process for West Virginia to get involved, but it’s worth a shot. He’s thrown for nearly 6,000 yards in his career, along with 56 touchdowns and 17 interceptions. Salter didn’t run the ball nearly as much this season but still posted 579 yards and seven scores. The year prior, he rushed for 1,089 yards and 12 scores. A true dual-threat option.

Pribula was in line to be the starter in State College next season until Drew Allar announced his intentions of returning for his senior year a few days ago. Pribula does have some experience under his belt, seeing action in mop-up duty and in situations where James Franklin wanted a more mobile option on the field. For his career, Pribula has connected on 66% of his passes for six touchdowns, throwing just one interception. He’s rushed for 571 yards and ten touchdowns, going for 6.1 yards per carry.

The former five-star recruit left USC after sitting behind Caleb Williams for a year and then lost out on the starting job to Maddux Madsen at Boise State this season. The talent is there; he just needs to find an offense that fits him. West Virginia, or anyone for that matter, won’t have to put together some massive NIL deal to land him either.

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College Football 25 Simulation: WVU vs. Memphis

— By David Walsh

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. — Marshall broke free from an early 10-10 tie to build a 41-24 lead at the break, and the Thundering Herd steadily pulled away from West Virginia Wesleyan in the final 20 minutes to romp, 93-63, Monday night in front of 3,424 fans at Cam Henderson Center.

Mikal Dawson, a three-point wizard, nailed five more on the way to 19 points to lead Marshall. Obinna Anochilli-Killen added 14 and made 6-of-8 shots and also blocked two shots as did Wyatt Fricks. Nate Martin, Jalen Speer and Cade Gibbs finished with nine points each as first-year coach Corny Jackson went to the bench much of the second half.

“I thought we played pretty well,” Jackson said. “I’m most pleased with 30 assists and 12 turnovers. As a team, I look at the 30 and as a former point guard I always look at that number. Really pleased.”

The Herd (7-5) made its first four shots of the second half to open a 53-32 lead. From that point, the margin kept growing. The biggest of the night came at 35 (78-43) with 7:50 to play.

Jackson expressed pleasure with the Herd’s play after bolting from the 10-10 tie.

“They don’t play like that record (2-9) for coach (Derek) Sloan. They were pretty physical at the start. Once we settled in and matched their energy, physicality I was happy. We played team ball, shared the ball.”

Marshall made 37-of-67 shots and 13-of-32 from behind the arc. The home team chalked up 30 assists on the 37 shots made. The Herd last had 30 assists against UTSA in a game in 2016.

“Win one game is hard regardless of opponent,” Jackson said. “We’ll celebrate the win, we’re off Tuesday and Wednesday we get ready for Southern Miss. That’s just how it (schedule) fell. Play the cards we’re deal. We look forward to going down and playing a good Southern Miss team.”

In the check the boxes for meaningful stats, Marshall led points in the paint, 44-24; bench points, 37-18; and points off turnovers, 26-15.

Michael Batchelor led the Bobcats with 16 points. Curtis Litton added 11 for the Division II team which plays in the Mountain East Conference. The visitors did make nine threes.

In the first half, the Herd had bursts of 8-0 in the final 2:45 and 13-0 earlier in the half to open the big lead.

Marshall now leads the all-time series with West Virginia Wesleyan 31-13.

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) – West Virginia has launched a mobile ID program allowing people living in the state to have access to digital versions of their drivers license or ID.

Everett Frazier, commissioner of the West Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), said, “The benefit is everyone carries one of these. Not everybody, people forget their wallet. We are going to still issue the little plastic drivers license that everybody is accustomed to.”

Frazier says this app does not eliminate the need for the physical ID.

“I’m sure this will one day catch on and it will be the only thing you need, but for now you are still going to need the little plastic card.”

The mobile ID pilot program began on Dec. 10 and is progressing smoothly.

“Within, I would say a few months, it should be available to the great citizens of West Virginia,” Frazier said.

With the app, residents can store and manage their ID credentials on their cell phones.

“We’ve already tested it with TSA. It works. So at airports, it’s the future and we are just preparing for the future,” Frazier said.

After the piloting phase, the mobile ID app will be available to everyone in late December.

Click here to sign up and be notified when the app is ready for everyone.

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