MORGANTOWN (WVDN)- The running back position for the West Virginia Mountaineers in 2026 is criminally underrated and a look up and down the roster makes it easy to see why.
West Virginia brought in Cam Cook from the transfer portal to solidify the position and make it one of the strongest rooms on the team.
Cook led the nation in rushing a year ago for Rich Rodriguez’s former team, Jacksonville State. Before that, Cook was a highly productive runner for TCU, so he has the experience of playing in the Big 12 Conference. Cook has already been selected as a preseason Walter Camp second team all-American and a first team Big 12 selection. Cook is a powerful runner that never goes down on the first contact and has enough shiftiness to be a home run type back.
Backing up Cook is true freshman Amari Latimer. Latimer was a recruiting steal for the Mountaineers this past offseason as the 4-star, top 150 player had been committed to Wisconsin for several months before flipping to WVU on signing day. He is a 6-foot, 200-pound bruiser that could have gone anywhere he wanted out of high school, but he chose Morgantown because he believes in the direction of the program. Latimer will get plenty of carries in his first year as he looks to carve out a permanent role in the backfield.
Next up in the rotation is true freshman Chris Talley and JUCO transfer Martavious Boswell. Both players are known for their speed and will compliment Cook and Latimer’s power running nicely. Talley may actually be the sleeper of the group and is a player that could emerge out of nowhere and get a ton of carries as the season progresses forward.
WVU will also use a fullback this season as the team went out and secured transfer Kayden Luke from fellow Big 12 foe, Arizona. Luke is a tough blocker, but according to coach Rod, will also get some short yardage carries in those situations. He may remind some fans of former legend Owen Schmitt.
With the talent the Mountaineers have acquired for the position, the wild running ways of Rodriguez’s offense are a threat to return this season in a big way.
