The transfer portal giveth, and the transfer portal taketh away.
With recent moves in the spring transfer portal window over the past two days, West Virginia football was relatively quiet -- but the Mountaineers did make a couple of moves, parting ways with a recent transfer signing while picking up an addition to the specialists’ room.
On Friday, the Mountaineers lost a commitment from a transfer portal addition that was added in the winter window but wasn’t scheduled to show up on campus until this summer. Princeton offensive lineman William Reed signed with the Mountaineers as a grad transfer in January looking to use his final season of eligibility in Morgantown, but was granted his release by the Mountaineers and will re-enter the portal.
Princeton OT William Reed, who signed with West Virginia as a grad transfer in January has gotten his release from the Mountaineers and has re-entered the portal, @247Sports has learned. Will have one season left to play. https://t.co/Ri03CG9rIV pic.twitter.com/GHQbvj8jLy
— Brandon Huffman (@BrandonHuffman) April 25, 2025
Reed did not partake in spring practice with the Mountaineers due to wanting to finish out his final semester of school at Princeton -- with the recent addition of North Alabama transfer Mickel Clay to the offensive line room, there are four players amongst the position group with just one season of eligibility remaining.
In addition, redshirt junior Landen Livingston was taking starting snaps at center in spring practice, and redshirt junior Xavier Bausley previously played at Jacksonville State for current WVU head Coach Rich Rodriguez. With those six options likely fighting for five spots and another former Rodriguez lineman in Will O’Steen in the portal and set to visit Morgantown, Reed likely decided the room may be a bit too crowded to take a chance on.
The Mountaineers have already replaced that body with another at a different position, however, as it was announced on Saturday that WVU had earned a commitment from Coastal Carolina kicker Kade Hensley in the portal. Hensley is 117-for-118 on extra points and 34-for-43 on field goals for his career, including an impressive 10-for-13 on 40-49 yard field goals. He will join WVU after a four-year stint at Coastal Carolina, and he will have one season of eligibility remaining.
Excited to announce I’ve taken a Full Scholarship opportunity at West Virginia!
— Kade Hensley (@KadeHensley2) April 26, 2025
Almost Heaven! @coachpkirkland @TuckerDonati pic.twitter.com/prfzm3oNGE