Big 12 Football Media Days, marking the unofficial start of the Big 12 football season, is less than two weeks away, so attention has shifted to the field as a new era of Big 12 football unfolds.
Gold and Blue Nation will be bringing you the latest on the WVU football roster this week on our website in our annual roster review series.
Let's start with offensive line coach Matt Moore's big men up front.
Wyatt Milam
Last year it was Zach Frazier. This year it's Wyatt Milam.
Once Frazier was selected in the second round of the NFL Draft in April, Morgantown's attention shifted to Milam, who continues to be rated in the preseason as a potential All-American and 2025 draft choice.
The 6-foot-6, 317-pound Spring Valley High School graduate enters his senior season this fall after being a key part of a Mountaineers pass-protection unit that recorded the third-fewest sacks (10) in the FBS last year. According to his biography listed on WVU's official roster, he did not allow a sack or a quarterback hit last fall.
“He's the best left tackle in the country,” quarterback Garrett Green said. “He's definitely going to be a first-round draft pick.”
Thomas Rimac
Left guard Tomas Rimac, entering his second full season as a starter, has also been attracting attention. Rimac was named to the All-Big 12 second team by Phil Steele and Athlon Sports this month.
He was named All-Big 12 honorable mention by the Big 12 coaches last season, but was the most inexperienced member of West Virginia's offensive line in terms of starts.
Like Milam, he also did not allow a sack in 2023.
Brandon Yates
Brandon Yates has plenty of starting experience heading into his redshirt senior season, but this fall will mark his first year playing exclusively center and his final season of college basketball.
Yates served as the de facto backup center to Frazier while starting at guard last season and also started at center in West Virginia's Mayo Bowl win over Duke University against North Carolina.
He was also named All-Big 12 honorable mention in 2023.
Jaquai Hubbard
JaQuai Hubbard is expected to return to the starting lineup this fall after being used as a rotational player last season. He started at right guard multiple times this season and is expected to start at right guard again this season.
Hubbard, a vocal leader within the West Virginia University institution, will be entering his final year of eligibility this fall.
Nick Malone
Nick Malone, Moore's wild card for 2023 and the sixth player in the jumbo package, is expected to be in the team's starting five at right tackle in 2024.
The Morgantown native and Morgantown High School graduate was offered a scholarship in 2022 after spending his first three seasons as a walk-on.
Completing the depth chart
- Sullivan Weidman
- Johnny Williams IV
- Xavier Bowsley
- Morris Hamilton
- Lunden Livingston
- Nick Claey
- Bryce Biggs
- Cooper Young
- Lucas Austin
- Justin Terry
- Kyle Altschner
Notable retirees
For daily roster analysis this week, visit GoldAndBlueNation.com. All coverage also is available in the free Gold and Blue Nation app, available for download on Apple and Android devices.
