West Virginia's transfer portal class isn't the most impressive thing in the world. In fact, new head coach Rich Rodriguez has lost 44 players to the portal. However, he has brought in 46 players of equal or better value.
Most recently, a JUCO star committed to Rodriguez and the WVU Mountaineers. Former JUCO defensive back Kaleb Gray, who played two seasons for the Dodge City Community College Conquistadors, committed to play for Rodriguez.
When Gray committed, the safety gave an incredible reason for committing, as well as a hilarious comment about his new head coach.
"I just love the atmosphere," Gray said. "When I told Coach Rod I committed, he was astonished. Let's go, Mountaineers!"
Gray will join the Mountaineers in Morgantown in just a few weeks, narrowly missing the Gold-Blue Spring Showcase on Saturday, April 5, which will be Rodriguez's coaching debut with the program.
During his two seasons for the Conquistadors, Gray produced 32 total tackles, five pass deflections, and three forced fumbles. He redshirted during his freshman season and only played in nine games during the 2024 season.
What does Rich Rodriguez bring to the WVU program?
Rodriguez's coaching career began at West Virginia after playing defensive back for the Mountaineers from 1981 to 1984.
He was the safeties coach in 1985 before hopping around the nation for other coaching roles. Rodriguez was the Mountaineers' head coach from 2001 until 2007 and then led the Michigan Wolverines for a few years before taking other head coaching roles and finally returning to Morgantown in 2025.
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Rodriguez is a tried and true head coach, having led teams in 321 games and winning nearly 60 percent of those matchups.