Rich Rodriguez is working to rebuild and reshape the West Virginia football program, and a key piece of that will be the spring transfer portal. Currently, Rodriguez and the Mountaineers are targeting a Michigan transfer who was part of the Wolverines' National Championship team.
Linebacker Jason Hewlett hit the portal after spending the first two years of his collegiate career at Michigan. Already, the Mountaineers are one of two teams that have scheduled a visit with the former four-star prospect.
On Wednesday, April 16, Matt Zenitz (from CBS Sports and 247Sports) reported that Hewlett and scheduled visits with West Virginia and Boston College.
When next season kicks off, Hewlett will have three years of eligibility remaining after playing in just one game for the Wolverines during the 2024 season, in which he earned just three total tackles (2 solo, 1 assisted).
Why is Jason Hewlett leaving Michigan?
While he didn't provide any specifics, Hewlett is most likely leaving Michigan in search of "greener pastures." Also known as, he's looking for a team where he can earn more playing time throughout the regular season.
In his announcement that he had entered the portal, Hewlett was extremely grateful for his time with the Wolverines.
"First and foremost, I want to express my deepest gratitude to Coach Moore and the University of Michigan for transforming me into the man I am today," Hewlett wrote. "However, after careful consideration and reflection, I have made the difficult decision to enter the transfer portal... and explore new opportunities."
How has West Virginia done in the spring transfer portal so far?
Already this spring, 21 Mountaineers have entered the spring transfer portal, including freshman linebacker Obinna Onwuka as well as numerous defensive linemen who were relatively new to the program.
So far, the Mountaineers and Rodriguez have zero commitments from the spring portal after bringing in one of the better transfer classes this winter. The spring portal opened on April 15 and will close on April 25, but players have much longer to commit to their next program.