WVU football coach Rich Rodriguez has lamented his struggles with the running back room since nearly the beginning of preseason camp over a week ago. On Thursday, it seemed as though those struggles are continuing.
Early during his media availability on Thursday, which marks the eighth day of preseason practices for the Mountaineers, Rodriguez noted that he only has two running backs available to suit up at the moment, and has even had to move some slot receivers into the backfield during practice – this is a big difference from where the Mountaineers started camp, with six running backs on the roster and a seventh awaiting an eligibility ruling in Northern Iowa transfer and 1,000-yard rusher Tye Edwards.
WVU HC Rich Rodriguez says he's down to "a couple running backs practicing" and that he even has put some slot receivers into the backfield.
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Edwards is still unsure of his eligibility – though a group of WVU players have filed a lawsuit regarding the matter which will be heard before the season begins. But we learned Thursday that joining Edwards in an eligibility conundrum is Jaylan Knighton, the SMU transfer who was added after spring practice and is listed on the roster for the season – unlike Edwards. What exactly his eligibility issue stems from was unaddressed, but it puts him in a similar position to Edwards.
The two backs who are currently practicing are returning junior Jahiem White and returning redshirt freshman Diore Hubbard. They were joined on the practice field as recently as last Friday by Ferris State transfer and 1,000 yard rusher Kannon Katzer and 2025 Tommy Nickolich Award recipient Clay Ash – on Thursday, Rodriguez reveled both players were struggling with injury issues, though the seriousness of those injuries weren't disclose. Rodriguez did use the term "banged up" at one point during his answer.
Rodriguez also recently discussed a desire to add to his running back room from the transfer portal, and a name was dropped on Thursday – Andre Devine, the son of WVU assistant running backs coach and offensive analyst Noel Devine, who was with Rich Rodriguez at Jacksonville State. He was initially recruited by WVU but had his offer pulled by former coach Neal Brown after the spot on the roster was filled.
Big updates on WVU RB Room:
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Jahiem White and Diore Hubbard are only ones practicing. Clay Ash and Kannon Katzer are injured.
Jaylon Knighton is also waiting on eligibility, in a similar situation to Tye Edwards, and hasn't practiced.
Coach Noel Devine's son Andre Devine is…
One name that was notably not mentioned in the update was Cyncir Bowers, a highly touted JUCO transfer who was added during the summer. While it was hinted at previously that one running back might not make it back with the team after a practice session where Bowers was also absent, no definitive answer was given on what his situation is.