A Look At WVU Football's Newest Class of 2026 Commit Jayden Ballard

As the 2025 football season draws closer to its conclusion, the recruiting class of 2026 is starting to take shape and remains a key focus for the WVU football coaching staff.

A 6’1” 180-pound safety from Midlothian, Virginia, Jayden Ballard, has flipped from his commitment from the MAC’s Buffalo to WVU on Monday. Ballard is a three-star safety according to Rivals and is the 227th-ranked safety in the class of 2026.

Ballard had 19 offers, including from Buffalo, where he originally committed in late June. The Midlothian native received offers from Army, Navy, Charlotte, and Richmond, among his total 19 scholarship offers.

A hard-hitting safety that can play all three safety positions, according to Keenan Cummings of On3. Ballard is a flexible piece to the 26’ class for head coach Rich Rodriguez.

Marking the 28th player to commit to the Mountaineers for the 26’ class, Ballard joins recent commits, tight end Kade Bush, quarterback Wyatt Brown, defensive lineman Kamdon Gillespie, and edge rusher Carter Kessler. Joining other secondary commitments in the 26’ class from Vincent Smith, Emory Snyder, Emari Peterson, Simaj Hill, Rickey Giles, and Jaylon Jones.

Securing a commitment from a versatile defender in the back end of the defense, Ballard is a great addition to the class just for his ability to move around to different spots in defensive coordinator Zac Alley’s defense. Given the opportunity to develop in a collegiate program, Ballard has the potential to be a contributor for this WVU defense in a couple of seasons. Take a look at some of his film in the tweet below.