Rich Rodriguez gives updates on WVU football players’ injuries, eligibility status
Trending
MORGANTOWN -- West Virginia football wide receiver Prince Strachan hasn't seen the field yet for the Mountaineers, dealing with an injury. He's a big 6-foot-5 receiver who had two successful years at Boise State before sustaining a season-ending injury at Southern California last year. In 2024, Strachan played in 14 games and started in five of them, including against Penn State in the College Football Playoff. He had four catches for 40 yards in that game.
Strachan, along with Troy transfer D.J. Epps and LSU transfer TaRon Francis, was one of the bigger wide receiver additions this offseason.
Strachan just hasn't had the chance to showcase his abilities through two games. It could change for the Mountaineers’ biggest game this season against No. 25 Virginia this weekend.
On his radio show Monday night, Rich Rodriguez said Strachan could play against the Cavaliers.
"He's been practicing a little bit," Rodriguez said. He'll practice in a green jersey, so he'll be limited contact. But full speed there, and we'll see how he reacts to that. If he can handle Tuesday and Wednesday practice, well, hopefully, he'll go Saturday."
At 6-foot-5, 215 pounds, Strachan is WVU's biggest receiver on the roster. Right now, the only big receiver playing a lot of snaps is receiver Jaden Bray at 6-foot-2, 208 pounds. Strachan brings an experienced, physical, big body to the room, so if they need a jump-ball receiver, he's the player for the job.
WVU's only thrown the ball 26 times over two games. Rodriguez said they haven't thrown the ball because they hadn't had to, which is true. The Mountaineers played against Coastal Carolina, who was a Group of 6 school, and FCS U.T. Martin. WVU was a 20-plus-point favorite in both games.
Rodriguez said the team will do whatever it has to win the game, and against Virginia, who should be a lot better, WVU will probably have to throw the ball more than 15 times. Adding Strachan will be a big help in a pass-heavy game.
"He may have a little rust in there once in a while," Rodriguez said. "If we can get him in the game Saturday and he's ready to go, it gives us a big body on the outside.
Rodriguez also provided an update regarding Georgia transfer and Carolina Panthers rookie minicamp attendee JaCorey Thomas. Thomas committed to the Mountaineers just before the season, utilizing a temporary restraining order against the NCAA and the new 5-for-5 ruling.
Thomas played in 14 games for the Bulldogs and started in eight last season. He racked up 45 tackles and 26 solo stops. Rodriguez talked to Georgia head coach Kirby Smart about Thomas, and he had nothing but great things to say about him. Rodriguez said Thomas should be a plug-and-play player once he can play.
Rodriguez said Thomas' court hearing was rescheduled to Thursday. He'll know more information on when he can see the field then.
Rodriguez gave an update on true freshman running back Chris Talley's injury. He was expected to be in the mix for the third back, behind Cam Cook and true freshman Amari Latimer.
Rodriguez said Talley, who suffered a hamstring injury in warm-ups at Coastal Carolina, is still out and could be out for 1-2 more weeks.
In his absence, WVU will rely on JUCO transfer Martavious Boswell and true freshman Lawrence Autry. Both of them played late in the U.T. Martin game. Boswell carried the ball eight times for 31 yards, and Autry rushed two times for nine yards.
Unlike last year after two games, the Mountaineers have come out pretty healthy.
"That was really good," Rodriguez said. "That was the best thing about this game... We stay healthy."