Shanna Rose | WV Sports Chat
MORGANTOWN, W.Va.- After Rich Rodriguez was named head coach at West Virginia, roster turnover was expected. But one player who chose to stay was running back Jahiem White.
For Mountaineer running back, the past few months have been about more than just adjusting to a new playbook. It’s been about reshaping his body, learning to thrive in Rodriguez’s high-octane offense and building bonds with the people around him.
“It did take a little minute to get used to it,” he said of the new scheme. “But, you know, just watching Jack State film and watching how their running back ran the ball and what he did, it helped me understand it a little bit easier.”
That willingness to study goes hand-in-hand with extra conditioning. Rodriguez’s upbeat tempo demands more than raw talent—it requires endurance.
“Just putting in the work that I did,” he explained. “Staying in shape, running after practice with Coach Mike (Barwis), knowing that the tempo—well, Rich Rod’s tempo—is fast. So, I mean, you’re just staying in shape.”
The 5-foot-7, 190-pound junior hasn’t faced the transition alone as he embarked on this journey with quarterback Nicco Marchiol. Their relationship is a steady anchor.
“Oh yeah, big time,” he said with a smile. “Me and Nicco, we close. We talk about everything together. We kind of look over everything together. We already know how our chemistry is with each other. So, I mean, going out there and just playing ball with each other—that’s the best feeling. Knowing we got each other’s back.”
The rest of the offense is starting to mesh nicely. Despite having a new offensive line, White has been able to find his footing.
“I wasn’t in a lot during the spring, so more of fall camp is when I came along and got behind the O-line but I got comfortable with it fast,” he said.
There is tremendous potential in WVU’s running back room and they are an energetic group.
“I love our running back room,” White said. “We got a lot of potential starting with Clay. He’s a hard working dog. Dior, sincere. I mean, we all just like work together, watch film together, do all the little stuff together to keep each other on the field.”
But the York, Pennsylvania native is the leader of the group and physically, he feels ready for the workload. Back up to 195 pounds—the same weight he played at in high school—he believes he’s in his best shape yet.
“Just eating, staying on top of my diet, hydrating, and then just staying on top of recovery with my body,” he said of his routine.
It’s a mix of preparation, chemistry, and resilience that’s shaping him into the player he wants to be. In an offense that never slows down, White is learning to find his rhythm—one rep, one film session, and one cut at a time.
Photo Credit: WVU Athletics
