West Virginia football coach Rich Rodriguez confirmed Monday during his weekly radio show that Nicco Marchiol would be out at least a few more weeks as the quarterback battles a foot issue.
A return in 2025 appears unlikely at all for Marchiol, who according to On3 Sports, is expected to medically redshirt this season.
West Virginia QB Nicco Marchiol is expected to medically redshirt, multiple sources tell @On3sports
Sidelined with a foot injury and has only played in 4 games. If Marchiol doesn’t return to WVU in 2026, another option could be transfer portal.https://t.co/8wL5rD5sJj pic.twitter.com/YN2rmvcJmm
— Pete Nakos (@PeteNakos_) October 1, 2025
Marchiol started each of the first four games this season, but could retain a year of eligibility without playing again. He was removed during the second half of a 41-10 loss at Kansas back on September 20 in what marked WVU’s Big 12 opener, and has not played since.
Three days after the loss to the Jayhawks, Rodriguez said Marchiol was in Colorado seeking the opinion of a specialist regarding the foot issue.
“Nicco Marchiol came to see us and said he had some mid-foot pain that had been bothering him a while,” Rodriguez said on September 23. “We have a great medical staff by the way. I trust them 100 percent and as a coach, I stay out of the medical part and leave it to the experts. But they have a specialist out in Colorado that he knows and he’s actually out there today getting that checked out, because he says it’s been bothering him for a couple weeks.”
Marchiol was ultimately ruled out for the matchup with Utah later in the week.
Earlier this week, Rodriguez said he had recently spoken to Marchiol.
“He’s out in Arizona, I believe. He’s seeing doctors out there, and told me the one or two doctors that he talked to said that he had a foot problem, and that he’s going to be out for several weeks,” Rodriguez said. “I told him we’ve got great doctors and trainers, so I want our doctors and trainers to communicate with his doctors, so they get on the same page and know exactly what it is. He’s definitely out in the short term, and then once their doctors talk to our doctors and trainers, we can figure out how long it’s going to be, I guess.”
This season, Marchiol completed 66-of-98 passes for 720 yard with two touchdowns and two interceptions and was instrumental in leading the Mountaineers to a 31-24 come-from-behind overtime win against Pitt.
The redshirt junior has started seven games at West Virginia in his career.
Quarterback Jaylen Henderson made his first start at West Virginia last Saturday, but was ineffective in a 48-14 loss at Utah. Khalil Wilkins led the Mountaineers on both touchdown drives against the Utes and could be in line for his first career start or more extended playing time Friday night at No. 23 BYU.
“We’re looking and searching for everything we can to help us,” Rodriguez said, “and Khalil has some big, explosive type of ability. His upside and future look really good.”