By: Justin Walker | WV Sports Chat
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – On Friday, West Virginia VP & Director of Athletics, Wren Baker, had his annual preseason press conference. He spent nearly an hour answering questions for the media about various topics. Questions ranged from those about future football scheduling, revenue sharing, and college sports as a whole.
One reporter asked Baker about the situation surrounding Mountaineer Defensive End, Jimmori Robinson. The UTSA transfer was one of four WVU football players to sue the NCAA regarding their eligibility for the 2025 season. While Judge John Preston Bailey ruled in favor of all four athletes, questions still remain about Robinson due to possible academic issues.
While the other three players seem to be cleared to play, Robinson’s eligibility has yet to be decided. When Baker was asked about Robinson’s status, he responded, “We have our General Counsel working with our Compliance Officer. We’ve engaged the Big 12 and I believe they have or will engage the NCAA to make sure we know what the judge’s ruling is at a high level, to make sure we’re interpreting it the right way, and to make sure we’re not putting the institution at risk.” Baker went on to say he would leave the rest unsaid. They are still “unpacking and assessing” and trying to figure out where they are with all of those.
“I’ll just make one other thing clear,” Baker stressed, “whether it was this case, or the case a couple of years ago (the case involving WVU basketball player RaeQuan Battle) we haven’t sued anybody, in terms of WVU. We are part of the NCAA. We help make those rules.” Baker did point out, though, that WVU supports citizens rights’ to pursue legal recourses if they feel like they’ve been denied an opportunity.
When asked if the four players had practiced recently, Baker responded, “I’m not sure about that.”
WVU fans will likely have to wait until Coach Rodriguez meets with the media again on Tuesday to get an answer on where things stand with Weimer, Harrington and Edwards. It may be a bit of a longer wait on Robinson, as WVU continues to search for clarity on his eligibility status.
Photo Credit: WVU Athletics
