There are a lot of questions surrounding what was presumed to be one of the strongest position groups inside the WVU football program as recently as last week.
Before preseason practices started last Wednesday, expectations were high for the Mountaineers at the running back position, but now it seems the tide has quickly changed. It started last Thursday when WVU head coach Rich Rodriguez told the media that only two players at the position finished the second practice without "tapping out," and continued when only four of the seven players at the position took the field during the team's first practice open to media on Friday.
When asked after Monday's practice if any of the missing players had returned to practice, Rodriguez gave an answer that while remaining vague offered some intriguing insight as to what is going on with his running back room.
"No. I'm hoping that we might be get one guy, and we're still working on one or two coming in," Rodriguez said.
WVU HC Rich Rodriguez said he hasn't gotten either of his injured running backs back yet, but one might be coming back soon. He also says they're working on adding a couple new players to the room.
— RedditCFB (@RedditCFB) August 4, 2025
Rodriguez's answer didn't provide too much detail on the situation, but it does tell us enough that we can read between the lines. Returners Jahiem White, Diore Hubbard, and Clay Ash and transfer Kannon Katzer were at practice on Friday with transfer Tye Edwards watching but not suited up. Missing from action were transfers Jaylon Knighton and Cyncir Bowers.
Edwards is still awaiting word on eligibility, and he and other players in the same boat filed a lawsuit regarding that matter on Monday. So that means that of the two missing transfer additions, who were both added in the spring, one might not be with the team come the season. Whether that has to do with an injury or other reasons was not disclosed.
It also means we could see something quite new and interesting happen with the Mountaineers this preseason – players added to the roster from the portal during fall camp. There are still players that haven't found a home yet, and some that entered after that House settlement created another portal window for athletes losing their spots due to new roster limits. The Mountaineers could find new depth pieces if they want to.