Earlier this week, WVU football head coach Rich Rodriguez followed up on his threats to add more running backs through the transfer portal to address depth concerns at the running back position.
With transfer addition Jaylan Knighton now unable to play for the Mountaineers this season and another transfer, Tye Edwards, still awaiting eligibility, Rodriguez has been vocal about needing to add to the position group. On Wednesday night, one such addition was made as the West Virginia Mountaineers earned a commitment from JUCO transfer Tyler Jacklich.
Congrats to Merced College and MJC running back Tyler Jacklich (Central Catholic) and his scholarship to the University of West Virginia! pic.twitter.com/POm4eraBw7
— MJC Football (@MJCFootball) August 13, 2025
Jacklich brings a 6-foot-2, 220-pound frame to the backfield for WVU, giving the Mountaineers another bruising, big-bodied back in the vein of Edwards or former WVU star CJ Donaldson Jr. from 2022-2024. He joins WVU after a season with Merced College where he rushed for 842 yards and nine touchdowns in eight games in 2024 while also hauling in 12 catches for 103 yards and two touchdowns, and initially began his collegiate career at the Division 1 level with Wyoming.
At Merced, Jacklich was teammates with current Modesto Junior College quarterback Hudson Wyatt. Wyatt and Jacklich were teammates to start their prep career before Wyatt transferred to a rival school, turning the two into opponents on the gridiron. When the pair linked back up at Merced, Wyatt gave an interview where he didn't sugarcoat his opinion of what rival-turned-teammate brings to the gridiron – and his analysis of Jacklich's ability should excite fans of the West Virginia Mountaineers.
“Tyler brings a lot to the team,” Wyatt said. “I’ve played against Tyler in high school. I know what type of player he is, and he’s definitely one of the best running backs I ever played against, and I know what he’s capable of doing.”