How Many NFL-Caliber Players Does WVU Actually Have?
How Many NFL-Caliber Players Does WVU Actually Have?
The Mountaineers have several next-level talents on the roster. They just have to prove they belong at the next level.Schuyler Callihan|
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West Virginia MountaineersA good team in college football isn't always defined by how many NFL-caliber players you have on it, but it is usually a pretty good indicator. West Virginia hasn't pumped talent into the NFL as much as it would like in recent years, but I have a gut feeling that's about to change with Rich Rodriguez back at the helm and the types of players he's been able to land.
So, how much NFL-caliber talent exists on West Virginia's 2026 roster?
Well, to be honest, it's a complicated question to answer. If we are purely talking about the 2027 draft, then the list is pretty short and potentially exclusive to one guy. There are a handful of players who look the part but need to prove more, and there are some who just flat-out don't have the experience to be considered a draft prospect just yet.
To give as much recognition to the players I believe are worthy of being considered "NFL-caliber," I broke this thing down into four tiers. And believe me, I feel like I left several players off this list, so those who aren't named are not going unnoticed. I just mentioned those who likely have the best chance, and wanted to make this list feel somewhat realistic because let's be honest, not every player named will make it.
Tier 1: Clear NFL prospects
The group: RB Cam Cook
As of today, there is only one true prospect on West Virginia's roster, and that's running back Cam Cook. I think most NFL scouts would agree with that, although there are a few guys in tier 2 who will ultimately move up into this spot once they put more on tape.
Cook led the entire nation in rushing in 2025 with 1,659 yards and led Conference USA with 16 touchdowns. He is the dream back for Rich Rodriguez to get this offense humming. He can handle a heavy workload, as he averaged 22.6 carries per game a year ago, which is good news for Rich Rod with how inexperienced the running back room is as a whole. Cook is one of the best in the country in forcing missed tackles, hitting triple digits in that area last fall. Two yards turn into five or six when he's toting the rock.
Tier 2: Knocking on the door
The group: QB Mike Hawkins Jr., WR Prince Strachan, OL Nick Krahe, DE Zeke Durham-Campbell, EDGE Harper Holloman
Hawkins is the only one of this group who doesn't have a full year of starting under his belt, but man, the talent (and potential) is there. I've spent much of this offseason writing and talking about the legit talent he is and why Mountaineer fans should be excited about what he brings to the table. A strong 2026 campaign will bump him up into Tier 1 for 2027.
Prince Strachan has the size and length that NFL GMs and scouts drool over. He just has to stay healthy and show that he can be productive at this level. The potential flashed at Boise State, but that was two years ago now.
Nick Krahe may jump into the next tier before we reach the midway point of this season, if I'm being honest. Super athletic, strong, and is getting coached up by Rick Trickett. Sounds like a future NFL'er to me.
And then Zeke Durham-Campbell and Harper Holloman are both guys who shined at the Group of Six level and will now be tasked with doing it against the best of the best on a weekly basis. The measurables are there, as is the athleticism for them to at least be on the radar of scouts.
Tier 3: NFL Trajectory or High Upside
The group: RB Amari Latimer, RB Chris Talley, WR TaRon Francis, OL Kevin Brown, DL Darius Wiley, DL Taylor Brown, EDGE Tobi Haastrup, N/S Maliek Hawkins, S Matt Sieg
This entire group has the talent to reach the next level. This entire group, though, has combined to play 11 snaps at the FBS level (Tobi Haastrup 8, Maliek Hawkins 3). There are four true freshmen and four second-year guys, so while they have the skill set needed, they still have to go out there and prove it. Trust me, I fully believe Amari Latimer, Kevin Brown, and Matt Sieg are clear-cut NFL prospects, but it's a little unfair to put that label on them at this stage of their career.
The two most intriguing ones, for me, are Darius Wiley and Tobi Haastrup. Wiley is super long and is the tallest defensive end WVU has had in recent memory, standing in at 6-foot-7. Haastrup, on the other hand, looks like he's training to be in the World's Strongest Man contest rather than football. The dude is built like a fridge. He got a late start to football, not picking up the sport until his senior year of high school, so there's still a ton he has to learn. If he can put it all together, he could become a special pass rusher for Zac Alley in the future.
Tier 4: Veteran Wild Cards
The group: WR Jaden Bray, DL Jaylen Thomas, CB Chams Diagne, CB Da'Mun Allen, N/S Andrew Powdrell, S Kamari Wilson
Each of these guys has played well enough and/or has the measurables and will have the opportunities to play their way into becoming either an NFL Draft pick or an undrafted free agent signee. They all have their questions that they need to answer to get that chance, though.
Jaden Bray, for example, needs to prove he can stay on the field. He's been on the shelf for much of the past two seasons with that foot injury, and any further injuries will cause teams at the next level to be a little hesitant to take a chance on him in terms of being a draft pick.
Da'Mun Allen and Jaylen Thomas are making the jump up from JUCO, but this isn't going to be their last rodeo as they each have multiple years of eligibility remaining.
Published 5 minutes ago
SCHUYLER CALLIHANSchuyler Callihan is the publisher of West Virginia On SI and has been a trusted source covering the Mountaineers since 2016. He is the host of Between The Eers, The Walk Thru Game Day Show, and In the Gun Podcast. The Wheeling, WV native moved to Charlotte, North Carolina in 2020 to cover the Charlotte Hornets and Carolina Panthers.
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Badenoch blasts 'moaning' female Labour MPs over Burnham jobs 'quota'
Kemi Badenoch has told Labour women to earn a job in Andy Burnham's Cabinet instead of demanding they are handed jobs because of their gender.
The Tory leader lashed out today amid reports that female MPs are demanding the de-facto new prime minister introduce a 50:50 gender split 'quota' in his government.
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister also complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts.
But in a scathing article in the Times today Mrs Badenoch told them to 'stop moaning' and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'.
'There are many, many reasons why you shouldn't have any Milibands in the cabinet,' she said.
'But complaining that the boys haven't given them the right jobs or that the boys are taking all the jobs, just shows that Labour's women still don't get it.'
The idea of quotas was also attacked by Baroness Jacqui Smith, Labour's Skills Minister.
Asked by Times Radio if Mr Burnham should reserve jobs for women, she said: 'No, I think what Andy Burnham should be doing is building the very best team around him to change this country.'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband (above, right, in 2010) is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts
But Mrs Badenoch told them to pipe down and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party and seen by the BBC has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs after he succeeds Sir Keir Starmer.
'We are asking you to demonstrate this change from day one and address the toxicity and misogyny within our own party and government,' it said.
Labour has never had a female leader, while the Conservatives have had three, and Mrs Badenoch urged the government to follow its meritocratic example.
'If you run a meritocracy, then you do not have to worry about jobs for the boys,' she wrote.
'Every woman who is a Conservative MP, every woman who has ever won the leadership, has had to fight to get where she is.
'By contrast, Labour women are demanding guarantees from Burnham. But the truth is he doesn't have to give any guarantees.
'If none of Labour's women are prepared to get their hands dirty and challenge him for the leadership, their demands are toothless.'
'In fact, it's quite revealing that the women's parliamentary Labour Party has written to Burnham asking him to commit himself to at least 50 per cent female ministers.
'This has nothing to do with meritocracy. It is yet more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country.'
