WVU football provides updates on 2 former players looking to return to program after new 5-for-5 ruling.
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MORGANTOWN -- West Virginia football announced two players are coming back to the program. The team announced on social media that tight end Jacob Barrick and defensive back Jason Chambers are participating in team activities, while developments continue to be updated regarding their eligibility.
The two ran out of eligibility this offseason, but were granted a fifth season through the court decision by Colorado District Judge Charlotte Sweeney. Her ruling in July granted a preliminary injunction against the NCAA from disallowing members of the Class of 2022 from taking part in the new 5 for 5 rule, which gives college athletes five years of college eligibility.
Barrick played just one season for the Mountaineers after transferring over with Rich Rodriguez from Jacksonville State. He was used primarily as a blocker, and only caught six passes for 70 yards. The Martinsburg, West Virginia, native played in eight games his prior season with the Gamecocks, battling with an injury during the season.
Barrick isn’t looking to play this season and wants to continue to be a coach. He has been spotted as a graduate assistant for the team this offseason in the spring and the fall. Barrick is using it to pursue his master’s degree.
“It’ll be good to have him on the staff,” Rodriguez said.
Chambers is looking to play, though, according to Rodriguez. He’s slowly getting back into shape.
Chambers spent just one season with the Mountaineers. He spent the previous year at Appalachian State after two years of junior college. Last season, Chambers appeared in all 12 games at corner and on special teams, and he had 34 tackles, four pass breakups and an interception. He’s logged five picks over his career and 22 pass breakups.
“Jason was a starter last year for us, and is a good football player,” Rodriguez said. “He’s in pretty good shape. I mean, he’s obviously missed a few months with our strength staff and all that, but he’s a smart, competitive guy. He’s played a lot of football, so he’s someone that can help us.”
Other former WVU players are seeking more eligibility. Defensive back Jordan Scruggs and Eddie Kelly Jr. were both trying to gain another year, but they haven’t been announced. Rodriguez said at the start of camp he’d be patient to add players affected by the new court ruling at the start of fall camp.
“Right now, my focus and our main focus is getting these guys, the guys that have been here, ready to play,” Rodriguez said. “But I got enough people on the staff to make sure that we're checking that out too.”
WVU does have a couple of roster spots open to add players. Rodriguez said there are some players who are eligible from other schools who could transfer that he’s looked at, but he’s still waiting to see what the ruling is regarding transfers.
“We really haven’t pursued it much because I think it’s just so much gray area,” Rodriguez said.
With students coming back on campus, Rodriguez suggested maybe filling those open roster spots for open walk-on tryouts. He was a walk-on when he played at WVU.
“Any of our student body out there might be a spot on the team,” Rodriguez said. “We’ll let them know next week, and they come try out. I’ve had guys that do the student body tryout and wind up starting. What was that guy from Michigan, right? I think I had a guy that came to student body tryouts and wind up being a starter. You’ll have an opportunity. We’ll let you know that pretty soon.”