Multiple WVU football players have been named as candidates for breakout seasons in 2026 by various national outlets. For a second consecutive season, the Mountaineers have overhauled the roster during the offseason. However, this offseason the coaching staff was allotted more time to do so and were able to be more selective with the players that they brought into the program.
This seems to have resulted in players joining the roster that have more playing/starting experience under their belts, and players that seem to be better fits for the schemes that West Virginia will utilize both on offense and defense in 2026.
There’s even one specific WVU newcomer that’s been highlighted by several outlets – wide receiver DJ Epps.
First, it was CBS Sports that mentioned Epps as a potential player that could be headed for a breakout season a couple of weeks ago. Here is an excerpt detailing what they had to say about the Troy Transfer.
After just one total catch through his first two seasons at Troy, Epps broke out last season with 47 catches. He’s now positioned himself to contribute right away at West Virginia after transferring to the Mountaineers this offseason.
“Epps is a guy that earned it throughout his time at Troy,” a source said. “He’s put in the work and I think he can have a breakout year.”
Epps wasn’t the only newcomer highlighted by CBS sports though, as incoming Oklahoma transfer quarterback Michael Hawkins also received some preseason praise from the outlet:
Rich Rodriguez brought in Hawkins to run his offense at quarterback. Hawkins backed up John Mateer at Oklahoma last year, and there’s confidence at WVU that he’ll help the Mountaineers improve offensively after ranking second-worst in the Big 12 in passing last season and third-worst in scoring.
Hawkins had some good moments with five starts at Oklahoma over the last two seasons, including four in 2024 after briefly taking over the starting job from former five-star recruit Jackson Arnold. He has career totals of 950 passing yards and 262 rushing yards.
“Michael Hawkins should be dynamic,” a source said. “Can make a lot of throws, should be an electric runner in this offense”
Following in CBS Sports footsteps, 247sports also recently released a list of the Top 100 Power Conference players that they believe could be headed for breakout seasons. In that article, they echoed similar sentiments about DJ Epps as well.
Still, he wasn’t the only Mountaineer named in that article either, as a returning Mountaineer defensive player was also named among those top 100 breakout candidates. That would be defensive lineman Nate Gabriel. Here is what 247sports had to say about him:
Gabriel played 286 snaps on defense as a sophomore for West Virginia and finished the year with 13 tackles. Now, the 6-foot-3, 295-pounder is expected to take a step forward heading into Year 3 with the Mountaineers.
“Strong, stout and active,” a source said. “Came into his own through the spring and should blossom into a very good player this fall.”
Having WVU players show up on these lists should excite Mountaineer fans for the potential of the 2026 season to feature a West Virginia team that is much more exciting to watch.
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