By Keenan Cummings
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — The West Virginia football team needed help on the offensive line and the coaching staff found it via the transfer portal with a commitment from former Virginia athlete Ja’Quay Hubbard.
Hubbard, at 6-foot-5 and 335 pounds, entered his name into the portal in early July, and the Mountaineers quickly developed a relationship with the offensive lineman.
Couple that with the opportunity to compete for playing time early in his career, as well as Morgantown only being two hours from his Pennsylvania home, and it was an easy decision.
“The opportunity to compete is great,” he said.
A native of Sharpsville, Pa., Hubbard had interest in WVU the first time around in his recruitment, but eventually signed with the Cavaliers. He played in two games this past season, but due to NCAA rules, was able to obtain a redshirt since he didn’t see action in more than four contests.
That means Hubbard will have four years of eligibility left and the plan is for him to apply for a waiver in order to be eligible for the 2020 season. If that doesn’t occur, he would have to sit out and would have three seasons left at WVU to finish his career.
Given his size, Hubbard could play either inside or outside on the offensive line and is open to competing at tackle or guard once he arrives on campus. He is expected to arrive in the coming weeks.
A former 4-star prospect out of high school by Rivals.com, Hubbard fills a need for WVU along the offensive line and gives the coaches a player who can suit up for multiple seasons.
Hubbard joins the four players who already signed with the program up front in junior college prospect Tairiq Stewart and a trio of true freshmen in Zach Frazier, Chris Mayo and Jordan White.
The transfer offensive lineman is just the most recent to pick the Mountaineers through the portal this offseason but gives WVU a big offensive lineman to help fill a major need.
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