West Virginia’s wide receiver depth just got thinner. Redshirt freshman wide receiver Dom Collins has officially entered the NCAA transfer portal, marking another significant development in the Mountaineers’ already shallow receiving corps.
Head coach Rich Rodriguez had voiced concern earlier in the spring about the limited number of healthy and game-ready receivers, noting the challenge in building a strong two and three-deep rotation. The loss of a young talent with elite speed like Collins only adds to those challenges heading into the fall.
Collins, a native of Princeton, West Virginia, had a stellar high school career that turned heads across the state. As a senior, he racked up an impressive 83 catches for 1,897 yards and 27 touchdowns—eye-popping numbers by any standard. Despite his remarkable production and undeniable quickness on the field, WVU was the only Division I program to offer him a scholarship.
Before the Mountaineers extended their hand, he had interest from several in-state Division II schools, including Fairmont State, Glenville State, Shepherd University, the University of Charleston, and West Virginia State. It was a homegrown success story when he committed to WVU, and for a moment, it seemed like he had found his perfect fit.
Unfortunately, things didn’t quite unfold as expected once Collins arrived on campus. Though he showed flashes of potential during practices and scrimmages, he never made his debut on the field in a regular-season game. He redshirted his freshman year, preserving all four years of NCAA eligibility.
His time at WVU saw him working behind more experienced receivers, and while he showed strong agility and ball-handling in practice settings, his path to playing time remained unclear—particularly in a unit that struggled with depth and overall consistency.
On signing day, Collins was described as a “magician in tight spaces,” known for his slipperiness and ability to evade tacklers in the open field. Evaluators noted he was more quick than outright fast but possessed the kind of burst that allowed him to separate from defenders and create plays.
His vertical threat made him useful against zone coverage, but he lacked the size and strength to regularly beat physical man-to-man coverage. At 5-foot-10 and still adding muscle to his frame, it was understood that he would need time to develop physically before being ready to contribute in a Power Five-level offense.
One area where Collins could have made an early impact was special teams. With some experience returning punts in high school, he was seen as a candidate to carve out playing time through that avenue. However, with the coaching staff juggling injuries and depth issues across the roster, it became difficult to prioritize developmental reps for redshirt freshmen like Collins. While the potential was there, the immediate opportunity wasn’t.
For Collins, entering the transfer portal opens up a new chapter and the possibility of finding a program where he can see the field sooner. With all four years of eligibility still available, he’s a valuable prospect for teams looking to add speed, agility, and long-term upside at the receiver position.
It’s possible that he may now entertain offers from some of the Division II programs that initially showed interest, though a Group of Five school or an FCS program in need of dynamic skill players could also be a fit.
As for West Virginia, the loss of Collins highlights the ongoing need for depth and development in the receiver room. With Rodriguez’s fast-paced, high-effort offense, the Mountaineers will need reliable, durable, and explosive receivers to execute his vision effectively.
Whether that means hitting the transfer portal for more experienced wideouts or continuing to develop incoming freshmen, the coaching staff has work to do to ensure the unit is ready come fall.
For fans and observers of West Virginia football, Dom Collins’ departure is a reminder of the ever-evolving nature of college football in the transfer portal era. Talented players want to play, and when the opportunity doesn’t align with their timeline, change is inevitable.
Wherever Collins lands next, he’ll bring with him a strong foundation of skills and the kind of drive that made him a local standout. West Virginia will move on, but the program’s ability to retain and develop homegrown talent will remain an important focus moving forward.
