It's been clear to fans in recent years that one glaring weakness for the West Virginia Mountaineers in recent years has been in the secondary. Last year, it became an issue that traveled across multiple coaching staffs, and the first glance at what WVU football retained at cornerback, as well as what they acquired, leave particularly big questions at that position.
But some reinforcement may be on the way. Just one day ahead of the start of fall camp, Jordan Scruggs reportedly was granted an additional year of eligibility through legal channels, according CFBAlerts on Instagram and X. The report has not been independently verified, but Scruggs was tagged in the posts online, with the posts indicating Scruggs provided the information himself.
West Virginia CB Jordan Scruggs has been approved to play another year of College Football, he tells me @CFBAlerts_ 👀
— College Football Alerts  (@CFBAlerts_) August 4, 2026
He had 33 tackles, 1 forced fumble, and 1 pick six last year with the Mountaineers. pic.twitter.com/oXLwf06nqv
Jordan Scruggs granted more eligibility: What does it mean for the West Virginia Mountaineers?
Scruggs was one of the more productive pieces in the secondary this past season, but had exhausted his eligibility after this most recent season. He finished the season with 33 tackles, two pass deflections, one forced fumble, and one interception (which he returned for a touchdown). He played in all 12 games for West Virginia.
Scruggs was reportedly interested in seeking another year back in July, and filed his injunction very recently. Now that reports indicate a return has been approved, it will be interesting to find out on Wednesday at the start of fall camp just how he will fit back into the lineup. But the returning experience in Zac Alley's system, as well as productivity in the secondary, will be a welcome return for a defense which does not offer much of either.
Of course, the NCAA does seem pretty adamant in appealing such injunctions in the wake of passing the 5-for-5 eligibility rule, and they reportedly plan to do so in as expedited a manner as possible. And Scruggs has already played five years of college football. So it is possible another ruling makes this moot before anything meaningful can happen, and Rich Rodriguez and his staff may proceed with caution due to that fact.
But if Scruggs is back, it will help give an extra gear to a defense that is currently facing some questions at his position group entering fall camp. We will continue to closely monitor this situation.
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