In a pass-heavy league like the Big 12, one of the most important positions to fill correctly for a program can be cornerback. WVU football's pass defense was among the worst at the FBS level last season, but incoming Defensive Coordinator Zac Alley will have two elite cornerbacks to rely on due to the team's transfer portal acquisitions.
Sport analytics company Pro Football Focus (PFF) released their top six highest-graded cornerbacks in the Big 12 that played college football last season, and the Mountaineers had two players make the list. Both players are transferring into the program for the 2025 season -- Jordan Scruggs and Michael Coats Jr. came in at second and third on the list, respectively. Scruggs was graded at an 81.1 by PFF in 2024, and Coats Jr. was graded at an 80.8. Scruggs transferred to WVU after his redshirt junior season at South Alabama, while Coats Jr., is coming to WVU after spending his junior season at Nevada.
Highest Graded Returning Big 12 Cornerbacksđź”’ pic.twitter.com/wLKxh6FJFp
— PFF College (@PFF_College) July 22, 2025
Scruggs made his announcement that he would be joining the Mountaineers on December 22, 2024. Before landing at South Alabama for a season, Scruggs spent time playing for Central Missouri and Hutchinson Community College. During his junior season at South Alabama, Scruggs recorded 69 tackles (33 solo tackles), 4.5 tackles for loss, two pass breakups, and an interception that he returned for 96 yards.
On the other side of the highly-rated cornerback duo, Coats Jr. made his commitment public on January 9. Coats Jr. is a lockdown corner that was a huge get for Rich Rodriguez and his staff. Before landing at Nevada for two seasons, Coats Jr. played two seasons at East Central Community College. Recording 17 pass breakups and four interceptions, his junior season was special enough to land him on the 2024 All-Mountain West First Team.
The combo of Scruggs and Coats Jr. will be a great addition to Zach Alley’s defense. Having two corners that you can trust to lock down receivers, gives the defensive coordinator, Alley, more opportunities to call more blitzes and other unique plays on the defense.
WVU football fans know the struggles of finding good cornerback play, especially after the 2024 season. If Scruggs and Coats Jr. can bring consistency to the position, that will be a sight WVU fans would love to see.