On Wednesday morning, folks across WVU sports media noticed that there was a new face missing from the Mountaineers’ football roster in SMU transfer Jaylan Knighton.
Knighton hadn’t appeared at either practice that has been opened to the media since preseason camp started, and WVU head coach Rich Rodriguez had mentioned last week that there was an ongoing eligibility issue holding up the process of getting Knighton onto the field that wasn’t related to the issue holding up four currently ineligible Mountaineers who have filed a lawsuit.
Rodriguez was asked about Knighton’s disappearance from the roster on Wednesday during a post-practice press conference, and he disclosed the reason that Knighton has been removed from the roster – which stems from an academic issue regarding a class.
“It does not look like he’s going to be eligible,” Rodriguez said.
WVU HC Rich Rodriguez asked about SMU transfer Jaylan Knighton and confirmed due to an academic issue it "does not look like he's going to be eligible." He added it was a "bit of a surprise" to everyone. pic.twitter.com/FaxSO8Kp2R
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Rodriguez also added that the issue came as a “bit of surprise” to everyone involved. With Knighton becoming the second ineligible running back for the Mountaineers this fall – though Tye Edwards may end up receiving eligibility depending on the outcome of the aforementioned lawsuit – Rodriguez’s repeated discussions about adding to the room through the transfer portal make more sense.
Luckily, some help should be on the way soon as the Mountaineers are expected to add Jacksonville State transfer Andre Devine to the roster. Rodriguez also indicated during the same press conference that some backs dealing with injury issues early in camp have returned to action, saying that the team had the most running backs practicing at once since camp started during Wednesday's practice.