As the spring transfer portal officially opens, West Virginia University football is once again in the spotlight—this time with Coach Rich Rodriguez carefully weighing his next moves to complete the 2025 fall roster. After a busy winter portal season that brought 31 new players to Morgantown, Rodriguez isn’t done building.
The recent conclusion of spring practice marked a turning point. Roster adjustments were made to clear space for potential additions, keeping WVU within the NCAA’s 105-man limit. More than 20 Mountaineers are expected to enter the portal, even before it officially began, signaling a continued roster shakeup.
Rodriguez has made no secret of his desire to reinforce nearly every position. In his own words, the Mountaineers need help at offensive line, defensive line, wide receiver, running back, linebacker, cornerback, safety—and possibly even at kicker.
“We need to get some O-line and D-linemen. We need to get some wideouts, a running back. Probably need to get some linebackers, a corner, a safety. Probably need a kicker, maybe, to compete with,” Rodriguez said.
There’s one area he’s avoiding: quarterback. With seven signal callers currently on the roster and an eighth on the way in the 2025 class, that room is full.
“I’m unhappy with the depth,” Rodriguez admitted, though he clarified that this is more about strengthening competition than replacing talent. “But I think every coach is probably unhappy with their depth at this point in the spring.”
The spring game didn’t reveal all the answers, but it did offer a few insights. On defense, the pass rush is a known area of concern. While standout edge rusher Jimmori Robinson—who notched 10.5 sacks last year at UTSA—was a major winter addition, Rodriguez is still on the hunt for another disruptive force.
Defensive lineman Hammond Russell IV, one of the team’s top sack leaders, returns, but beyond him, proven production is limited. Linebacker Asani Redwood was sixth in sacks in 2024, and the team could benefit from another edge rusher or linebacker to create more pressure.
On offense, the wide receiver room still has talent, though clarity on a clear No. 1 option is lacking. Many of the spring game’s offensive struggles were tied more to quarterback play than receiver capability.
The running back room has also seen some movement. With Jaheim White, last season’s leading rusher, sitting out the spring game due to unknown reasons, the need for added depth becomes apparent. Two backs left through the portal, and no new running backs are currently set to join in the 2025 recruiting class. Veteran Tye Edwards, who ran for over 1,000 yards at Northern Iowa, brings experience, but adding another capable back wouldn’t hurt.
Ultimately, Rodriguez is focused on boosting competition across the board—regardless of whether it comes from internal development or new transfers.
“We gotta increase our competition at most of our positions,” Rodriguez emphasized. “I hope it comes from a lot of guys within, but inevitably it’s going to come from, in a few spots, guys that aren’t here yet.”
As the spring portal window plays out, fans should expect Rodriguez to make some strategic moves—not a complete overhaul like the winter period, but key additions to ensure WVU enters the 2025 season with strength, depth, and competitive fire at every position.
