Rodriguez Cranks Up Pressure in Fall Camp

WVU Football

Welcome to The Shotgun/Throwdown, your daily West Virginia sports roundup (that we didn’t already talk about in another article) with some sophomoric humor and daily distractions thrown in for good measure. And if there’s something we missed, be sure to talk about it in the comments.

Rodriguez and Alley are cranking up the pressure early — and there’s no room for softness

West Virginia wrapped up its first week of fall camp, and Rich Rodriguez isn’t easing into anything.

Practice tempo has been fast from the start, with limited downtime and an emphasis on physicality. Players are still

adjusting to the pace and learning the difference between thudding and tackling, something Rodriguez has had to correct a few times. After calling the team “soft at times” earlier in the week, he said he saw better intensity and attention to detail by Friday.

A big focus offensively has been downfield blocking and playing in real game situations. Rodriguez said he leans heavily on team periods over individual work because that’s where players learn to actually play football — to read, react, and handle pressure. Defensively, Zac Alley is throwing a lot at the offense early. The goal is to create confusion and stress so that game days feel easier by comparison. Cornerbacks coach Rod West said the goal is to simplify techniques without dumbing things down, and that versatility will go a long way toward getting guys on the field.

With 72 new players and a coaching staff still learning each other, the goal right now is simple: get a lot of reps, play fast, and figure out where things stand before the real install begins.

Mountaineer Roundup

• Rodriguez still isn’t tipping his hand on a starting QB. With five scholarship players in the room, he’s open to rotating multiple guys. The key? Don’t repeat mistakes, and be sharp with your reads.
• Rich Rod’s slogans are headed for merch. His contract now gives him a cut of anything branded with phrases like “Hold the Rope,” “Hard Edge,” or the now-viral “Pull Weeds.” Expect shirts, hats — maybe even more — in the near future.
• RBs coach Larry Porter is fully bought in on Rich Rod’s vision — fast, physical, and detail-oriented. With some backs still working through eligibility and injuries, he’s focused on building execution with the group that’s available now.
• EerSports was on hand for Friday morning’s open practice, and Hailey Rogers captured a full gallery of photos from the session.
• WVU gymnastics has added two standout freshmen for the 2025-26 season. Joslyn Bryner and Auden Pederson are both Level 10 competitors and All-Stars expected to make an early impact, especially on bars and floor.

• Ryan Bergert is set to make his Royals debut Tuesday in Boston. Kansas City acquired the former WVU righty from the Padres at the trade deadline and officially announced he’ll get the ball in Game 2 of the series. Manager Matt Quatraro’s message? “Go out there and compete your butt off.”
• Garrett Greene made a highlight reel grab at Bucs training camp, going up in the back of the end zone for a touchdown from Connor Bazelak

• Geno Smith returns to Seattle this week as the Raiders face the Seahawks in their preseason opener. After contract talks fell apart, Smith was traded to Vegas—where he reunites with Pete Carroll. Both are expected to get a warm welcome at Lumen Field.
• Dante Stills is standing out again for the Arizona Cardinals despite new competition. After leading the team in sacks the past two seasons, his versatility and experience make him key as training camp continues.
• J.J. Wetherholt is tearing up Triple-A Memphis. The former WVU star went 3-for-5 with a homer and three RBI on Sunday and is now slashing .344/.425/.754 through 16 games. His MLB debut is starting to feel like a matter of when, not if.
• The Timberwolves have cut Jesse Edwards. Though he showed promise in the G League with 11.9 points and 7.6 rebounds per game, Edwards lost his spot due to new center draft picks and a crowded frontcourt featuring Rudy Gobert and Julius Randle.
• Alek Manoah is rehabbing from Tommy John surgery and will pitch next in Double-A or Triple-A. The Blue Jays’ strong veteran rotation means Manoah’s MLB return in 2025 will likely be limited to a depth role, with bigger plans for 2026.
• Cleveland Guardians manager Stephen Vogt said John Means is throwing live batting practice in Arizona and “feeling really good.” The team is targeting a late August or early September return for Means as he recovers from his second Tommy John surgery.

• Michael Vick and DeSean Jackson are now head coaches at HBCUs. The former Eagles stars are bringing attention — and expectations — to Norfolk State and Delaware State.
• Iowa State extended head coach Matt Campbell through 2032 after the Cyclones’ first-ever 11-win season. He’ll make $5 million per year — but took less to boost staff pay and player revenue-sharing. Campbell is now the winningest coach in program history.
• The College Sports Commission has backed off its initial ban on NIL collectives, now allowing deals that show a valid business purpose. But with enforcement still unclear, the 2026 recruiting cycle has slowed to a crawl — and coaches still don’t know the rules.
• Former Tennessee head coach Derek Dooley is running for U.S. Senate in Georgia with support from Gov. Brian Kemp. Dooley went 15-21 at UT and now looks to continue the SEC-to-Congress pipeline of failed head coaches.
• The Ringer took a deep dive into Luka Doncic’s transformation and how his conditioning, contract, and commitment draw parallels (and contrasts) with Shaq’s Lakers exit. A fascinating look at what this new chapter in L.A. really means.
• Cody Rhodes won the WWE Championship from John Cena at SummerSlam 2025, but the night ended with the return of Brock Lesnar. Despite legal troubles and speculation he was done, Lesnar’s back for Cena’s farewell tour.
• Can Liam Neeson and The Naked Gun save comedy? That’s the hope behind the new reboot, which plays it straight, dumb, and genuinely funny. The Ringer dives into how the movie came together — and why so much is riding on it.

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