Between The Eers: Can WVU Football Compete in This Era of NIL?

In this story:
One of the most frequently asked questions in this week's West Virginia On SI mailbag was about roster spending. How much did the Mountaineers spend? Is it enough? Will they have more money? Can they "buy" better talent in the transfer portal in future offseasons?
The short answer to that question is yes.
This year, the Mountaineers were more concerned with numbers, more than anything. They had to make sure they could field a roster, so the focus was more on building out a roster, rather than competing for some of the top-tier talent in the transfer portal. When you have to fill 80+ spots on the roster, you don't have the ability to pursue some of that truly elite talent.
This upcoming offseason, WVU won't bring in nearly as big a transfer portal class, which means they should be able to raise the floor on not only the money they're able to dish out, but the quality of players they go after. Each year, the floor should rise as you depend on the portal less and less.
On this morning's episode of Between The Eers, I discuss why WVU will get back on track and why patience is required.
If you haven't yet, please go over to our YouTube page, West Virginia On SI (@SI_WVU), and subscribe. You'll get a notification the second a new episode of Between The Eers, The Walk Thru GameDay Show, or Mountaineer Postgame drops.
Recent Between The Eers episodes:
WVU Needs to Identify Building Blocks for 2026 and Beyond
What Does the Future Hold for Nicco Marchiol at WVU?
Serious Issues Mounting for West Virginia's Rushing Attack
WVU's Painfully Bad Offense Needs to Make Some Changes
Football season show schedule:
Between The Eers: Sundays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays
The Walk Thru GameDay Show: Thursdays
Mountaineer Postgame: Immediately after the game
Programming note
***This week's schedule has been adjusted due to the game versus BYU being on Friday. Between The Eers aired yesterday as normal, Tuesday's show was today, and Wednesday's will be tomorrow. The Walk Thru Game Day Show will air on Wednesday morning this week, instead of Thursday.***
MORE STORIES FROM WEST VIRGINIA ON SI
MAILBAG: Roster Cost, NIL Concerns, Regression, Winnable Games + More
West Virginia Scoops Up Commitment from 2026 California Quarterback
Where WVU Lands in the Big 12 Power Rankings After Another Rough Week
PFF Grades Confirm WVU Struggles, But Khalil Wilkins’ Grade Raises Eyebrows
Between The Eers: WVU Needs to Identify Building Blocks for 2026 and Beyond

Schuyler Callihan is the publisher of West Virginia On SI and has been a trusted source covering the Mountaineers since 2016. He is the host of Between The Eers, The Walk Thru Game Day Show, and In the Gun Podcast. The Wheeling, WV native moved to Charlotte, North Carolina in 2020 to cover the Charlotte Hornets and Carolina Panthers.
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