MORGANTOWN- Under Rich Rodriguez, the running back position has never been an issue for any of his teams as he typically churns out multiple good ones in a season and rolls with them to the finish line.
At WVU this year, coach Rod will have his elite back in Jahiem White, but after him, it has kind of turned into an unknown at the present time. Projected backup Jaylan Knighton, a transfer with Power 4 experience at Miami and SMU, was ruled academically ineligible last week–because that’s still a thing, I guess??– and the promising Tye Edwards, another highly touted, 6’3″, 240-pound transfer from Northern Iowa, is still waiting on eligibility approval and is the midst of a lawsuit against the NCAA to try and get that quickly.
After White and hopefully Edwards, the Mountaineers have options in Cyncir Bowers, a 4.3, 40-yard dash guy, Diore Hubbard, Kannon Katzer, Clay Ash, Tyler Jacklich, and Andre Devine, the son of former WVU great and current staffer Noel Devine.
First, with White, if the junior remains healthy, he is primed for a huge season now that he has not just a competent offensive coach, but a competent coach, in general. White will be used in a lot of creative ways and as long as the offensive line can get him some creases to get through, White, a Doak Walker Award Watch List nominee, will find huge success. I have not been hesitant on my prediction for White to run for 1,700 yards and 15 touchdowns, if he stays healthy, that is.
Getting Edwards eligible is very important for the offensive backfield. Edwards chose to transfer to WVU over Ole Miss, Kentucky, Arkansas, Tennessee, and Louisville. He is a big back and would be the replacement for CJ Donaldson who is now enrolled at Ohio State. Edwards is reportedly Big 12 ready, and the coaching staff remains hopeful he will be granted his last college season soon.
If Edwards is a no-go however, Diore Hubbard may get the second-string spot for himself. A scout team player from a year ago that drew rave reviews from the previous coaching staff, Hubbard as played well in fall camp so far to where the staff would feel confident handing him the football several times a game to give White some rest. Regardless, even if Edwards does get eligible, Hubbard will still factor into the offense in some form.
Bowers is another player that could pop out of nowhere and make a name for himself with his elite speed that can’t be taught. He has made several nice plays in the scrimmages and during fall camp so don’t be shocked to hear his name over the PA system a few times.
Ash, Katzer, Jacklich, and Devine are all depth pieces who could be forced into action for some reason or another. Ash played in high school at IMG Academy against top competition and walked on to the Mountaineers a couple years ago. Reports are that Rodriguez really likes him, and Ash could find a role within the team on special teams at least.
Devine and Jacklich just recently were added to the roster, and both have intriguing skill sets. Jacklich is big and strong, and Devine is built like his father and has some speed.
The running back position looked bleak a couple weeks ago, but now that a couple are back and practicing and most are hopeful with the Edwards lawsuit, the Mountaineers should have a more than capable running back room in 2025.
