By: Cole Livengood | WV Sports Chat
West Virginia is continuing its efforts to fight the injury bug and eligibility issues that have plagued the
backfield this offseason. They have gained a commitment from former Wyoming running back, Tyler Jacklich.
It was first reported. by WVSports.com, the West Virginia site for Rivals/On3.
Jacklich, a former three-star linebacker and was a two-way star for Central Catholic High School (Calif.), finished with over 2,200 yards are 30 touchdowns in his senior season. His final year at CCH was highlighted by an eight carry, 217 yards, and four touchdown game that helped the Raiders bounce back from a 1-4 start to the year. They went on to finish with an 8-5 record.
The 6-foot-2 running back did not see any playing time during his lone season at Wyoming in 2023, and transferred to Merced College. He shined last season for the Blue Devils, tallying 842 rushing yards and nine touchdowns on over five yards per carry in just eight games.
The JUCO standout joins a Mountaineer team that is desperate for some good news in their running back room. It’s a position that has been the center of attention all offseason. Eligibility has been a key concern for the Mountaineers coaching staff.
That came to a head on Wednesday after former Miami and SMU running back, Jaylan Knighton, was deemed
academically ineligible for the upcoming season.
Knighton transferred to West Virginia alongside former Northern Iowa standout Tye Edwards, who is currently in the middle of an eligibility lawsuit, alongside three other Mountaineers. As of the writing of this article, Edwards is not eligible for this season and has not been allowed to practice with the team. The hearing in his case is scheduled for August 19.
To help fill the rapidly depleting running back room, Head Coach Rich Rodriguez announced the school is making a very late push to land Jacksonville State running back Andre Devine, son of former Mountaineer legend and current assistant coach, Noel Devine.
With the Mountaineers set to kickoff their 2025 season in just over two weeks, all eyes
will be on the running back room to see who will be helping out Jahiem White.
