Top 10 West Virginia Football Players of All Time

West Virginia football has produced some of the most electric, unique, and influential players in college football history. From defensive monsters to offensive innovators, the Mountaineers’ greatest players didn’t just rack up stats — they defined eras, carried teams, and forced the sport to adjust.

10. Pat McAfee (P, 2005–2008)

Pat McAfee is not just the best punter in West Virginia history — he is one of the most influential specialists college football has ever seen. McAfee averaged over 45 yards per punt, consistently flipping field position and serving as a hidden weapon for WVU.

Beyond punting, McAfee’s kickoff prowess and aggressive mentality changed how special teams were valued. His infamous missed field goals in 2007 are often remembered, but they shouldn’t overshadow a career defined by excellence and impact. McAfee helped WVU win games in ways few specialists ever have and later became one of the most successful NFL punters of his era.

Pat McAfee West Virginia Highlights

9. Marc Bulger (QB, 1996–1999)

Marc Bulger was the bridge between traditional West Virginia football and the spread-to-come. As the starting quarterback during WVU’s 1998 undefeated regular season, Bulger demonstrated poise, accuracy, and leadership while guiding the Mountaineers to a Big East title and a berth in the national championship conversation.

Bulger finished his WVU career with 7,536 passing yards and 56 touchdowns, at a time when those numbers were far from common. He excelled in Don Nehlen’s pro-style system, making smart reads and delivering the ball efficiently while minimizing mistakes. Bulger’s calm command of the offense helped West Virginia become a national factor again in the late 1990s, and his success proved that WVU could develop NFL-caliber quarterbacks long before the spread era took over.

1999 WVU Football Highlights

8. Tavon Austin (WR/RB, 2009–2012)

Tavon Austin is the most versatile offensive weapon West Virginia has ever produced. During his career, Austin totaled 6,272 all-purpose yards, becoming the NCAA’s all-time leader in all-purpose yards at the time.

Austin’s speed, agility, and open-field creativity made him impossible to defend. His legendary 572-yard game against Oklahoma in 2012 remains one of the greatest individual performances in college football history. Whether as a receiver, runner, or returner, Austin changed games instantly. Defenses were forced to account for him on every snap, often failing spectacularly. His impact transcended statistics — he altered game plans and elevated WVU into a weekly highlight machine.

Only One (Tavon Austin Senior Highlights)

7. Steve Slaton (RB, 2005–2007)

Steve Slaton was the engine of West Virginia’s mid-2000s rise to national prominence. In just three seasons, Slaton rushed for 4,133 yards and 55 touchdowns, forming a devastating backfield with Pat White.

Slaton’s vision, acceleration, and ability to explode through seams made him lethal in Rich Rodriguez’s spread offense. He finished fourth in Heisman voting in 2006, and his consistent production kept WVU in the national title discussion for multiple seasons. Slaton’s ability to score from anywhere on the field made him one of the most feared running backs in the country during his peak.

Steve Slaton West Virginia Highlights

6. Jeff Hostetler (QB, 1980–1983)

Jeff Hostetler is one of the most important quarterbacks in West Virginia history because of his longevity and leadership. A four-year starter, Hostetler helped stabilize the program during a period of transition and laid groundwork for future success.

Hostetler threw for 9,854 yards, which stood as a WVU record for years, and led the Mountaineers to multiple bowl appearances. Known for his toughness and competitiveness, Hostetler wasn’t flashy but was incredibly durable and reliable. His ability to operate the offense consistently allowed WVU to compete nationally at a time when the program was still carving out its identity. Hostetler’s later NFL success, including a Super Bowl win, further cemented his legacy as one of the Mountaineers’ most accomplished quarterbacks.

1983 | Jeff Hostetler Touchdown Run vs. Pitt

5. Pat White (QB, 2005–2008)

Pat White was the most successful quarterback in West Virginia history in terms of wins and sustained excellence. He led WVU to four straight bowl victories and became the first quarterback in NCAA history to win four bowl games as a starter.

White’s dual-threat ability revolutionized the Mountaineers’ offense. He rushed for 4,480 yards and passed for over 8,000 yards, combining explosiveness with toughness. White was the engine of one of the most exciting offenses in college football history and helped define the modern spread era.

Pat White West Virginia Highlights

4. Darryl Talley (LB, 1980–1983)

Darryl Talley is one of the greatest football player in West Virginia history. A dominant linebacker, Talley recorded 484 career tackles, a WVU record that still stands.

Talley’s speed, instincts, and leadership made him the heart of the Mountaineers’ defense. He earned All-American honors and later became an NFL legend with the Buffalo Bills. At WVU, Talley was everywhere — stopping the run, dropping into coverage, and setting the emotional tone. No player has ever better embodied West Virginia football’s toughness, resilience, and pride.

Darryl Talley Documentary

3. Geno Smith (QB, 2009–2012)

Geno Smith is one of the most prolific quarterbacks in West Virginia football history and represents the peak of the Mountaineers’ spread-era passing attack. Smith finished his WVU career with 11,662 passing yards, 98 touchdown passes, and just 21 interceptions, setting multiple school records along the way. His best season came in 2012, when he completed 71.2% of his passes—then an NCAA record—while throwing for 4,385 yards and 42 touchdowns. That performance earned him Big East Offensive Player of the Year honors and placed him firmly in the Heisman Trophy conversation for much of the season.

What separated Smith was his efficiency and decision-making. He was deadly accurate at all levels of the field and ran Dana Holgorsen’s offense with precision, punishing defenses that tried to blitz or play soft coverage. Smith also led West Virginia to one of its most iconic wins ever, the Orange Bowl demolition of Clemson, where he threw six touchdown passes. His impact modernized WVU’s offensive identity and cemented him as one of the program’s greatest quarterbacks.

Geno Smith West Virginia Highlights

2. Sam Huff (C/LB, 1952–1955)

Sam Huff represents the foundation of West Virginia football greatness. Playing both center and linebacker, Huff was a dominant two-way player in the 1950s, earning All-American honors and becoming one of the most respected defenders of his era.

Huff’s intelligence, toughness, and leadership defined WVU football in its early national relevance. He was instrumental in establishing West Virginia as a program capable of producing elite talent, and his success directly contributed to the Mountaineers’ credibility on the national stage. Huff later became an NFL Hall of Famer, but his roots were forged in Morgantown, where he set the standard for defensive excellence and physical football that still resonates with the program’s identity.

#WVU125: Sam Huff NFL Highlights

1. Major Harris (QB, 1987–1989)

Major Harris was West Virginia’s first true national superstar quarterback. In 1988, he led the Mountaineers to an 11–0 regular season and a berth in the national championship game, finishing seventh in Heisman voting.

Harris combined athleticism, arm strength, and leadership in a way WVU had never seen before. His injury in the Fiesta Bowl against Notre Dame altered not only that game but potentially college football history. Harris’ impact went far beyond wins — he elevated WVU into the national consciousness and proved the program could contend at the highest level.

WVU Major Harris 1989 Highlight Video

Final Thought

West Virginia football’s legacy is built on players who punched above their weight, challenged the establishment, and left lasting marks on the game. This list reflects not just talent, but impact, era-defining influence, and Mountaineer identity.