SMU running back Jaylan Knighton celebrates his touchdown carry during the first half of the American Athletic Conference Championship NCAA college football game against Tulane , Saturday, Dec. 2, 2023 in New Orleans.
SMU running back Jaylan Knighton carries against Tulane linebacker Tyler Grubbs (13) for a touchdown during the first half of the American Athletic Conference Championship NCAA college football game , Saturday, Dec. 2, 2023 in New Orleans.
SMU running back Jaylan Knighton celebrates his touchdown carry during the first half of the American Athletic Conference Championship NCAA college football game against Tulane , Saturday, Dec. 2, 2023 in New Orleans.
SMU running back Jaylan Knighton carries against Tulane linebacker Tyler Grubbs (13) for a touchdown during the first half of the American Athletic Conference Championship NCAA college football game , Saturday, Dec. 2, 2023 in New Orleans.
MORGANTOWN -- Jaylan Knighton's time with the West Virginia football team was short-lived.
Knighton, who transferred to the Mountaineers from SMU, will not take the field this season due to academic ineligibility, ÐÔÊӽ紫ý coach Rich Rodriguez said Wednesday.
Rodriguez was excited to see the former Mustang running back take the field in Morgantown. However, that thought has been derailed.
"Jaylan has an academic issue with one class and it does not look like he's going to be eligible, which is a shame because he had been working hard," Rodriguez said. "We really liked him. He was a good player.
"It was just that one issue that came up, which came as a surprise to everybody. He won't be playing this year."
Knighton, who spent the last two seasons at SMU, posted 148 carries for 788 yards and seven touchdowns with the Mustangs.
His best season came in 2023, as he recorded 745 yards and all seven of his touchdowns. Knighton averaged 5.5 yards per carry that season.
Prior to SMU, Knighton played three seasons at Miami from 2020-22. Between the Hurricanes and Mustangs, the Florida native totaled 423 carries for 1,981 yards and 17 touchdowns.
Status of Mountaineers' backfield
West Virginia had battled injuries to the running back corps before Wednesday.
Now, with Knighton no longer able to play, it may open up opportunities for other backs, especially those that are fully healthy.
"We're getting guys healthier," Rodriguez said. "I think we had the most running backs today [at] practice since camp started, maybe five or so. We're getting there. That's the one position where we do normally play more people.
"Now, if the one guy that's in there has the hot hand, I'm not going to take him out to take him out. Throughout the course of the year, you better have two or three."
Knighton was one of three backs the Mountaineers added by transfer going into this season.Â
The SMU transfer was joined by Tye Edwards, a Northern Iowa transfer, and Kannon Katzer, a Ferris State transfer.
Pennsylvania native Jahiem White is back and has been going through camp this summer for Rodriguez.
White has appeared in 25 games for the Mountaineers. He has run the ball 258 times for 1,687 yards and 11 touchdowns.
Taylor Kennedy covers sports. He can be reached at 304-348-7935 or tkennedy@hdmediallc.com. Follow on Twitter.
