West Virginia football coach Rich Rodriguez has said more than once that pickings from the NCAA transfer portal are thin at this stage of the preseason, but that didn't stop the Mountaineers from landing what appears to be a candidate for an important part of their running game in 2025.
A bigger back at 6-foot-2, 230 pounds, Jacklich could fill the spot that was to be manned by Tye Edwards (6-2, 225). Edwards is caught in the limbo of a court filing and NCAA approval over the counting of junior college seasons against Division I eligibility. A court hearing is scheduled for Tuesday, but with uncertainty over how the judge in the case might rule, or how far the NCAA will continue its battle against players in juco limbo, ÐÔÊӽ紫ý felt the need to add a bigger body to the faster, but smaller, performers it has on the roster.
Edwards flashed a couple of strong runs in ÐÔÊӽ紫ý's spring showcase, but has not been able to practice this fall as court proceedings play out.
Jacklich began his college career at Wyoming, then moved to Merced College for the 2024 campaign, where he recorded 842 yards and nine scores on 163 carries, good for 105.3 yards per game. He also displayed some ability in the passing game, grabbing 12 throws for 103 yards and two TDs.
The Modesto, California, native will not face any junior college eligibility issues, as he has just two seasons in the college ranks to date.
