2026 NFL Draft: Jahiem White leads WVU's prospects

Dominion Post

02-05-2025

MORGANTOWN — The NFL Draft was a little over a week ago, and just one West Virginia player was selected for the second-straight year.
This was the final year of Neal Brown players attempting to make it to the pros, but now it's the Rich Rodriguez era, and he'll have influenced each player entering the draft next season.
There could be more than one player being selected in the 2026 NFL Draft next year, and even more signed in undrafted free agency, which was the dominant way Mountaineers joined NFL rosters this spring.
There are almost 30 WVU players on the spring roster who are either seniors or redshirt seniors who could look to the pros after this year is up. Some of them will find a way to gain an extra year of college, but more will try to make it on an NFL roster this time next year.
Here are some of the names that could be called in the next NFL Draft.
Rodriguez loves to use his running backs, which greatly helps the back's NFL Draft stock. Jahiem White is primed to be the lead back in a potential running back by committee as a veteran on the team and last year's leading rusher. In Rodriguez's offense, White's numbers could receive a significant boost.
White doesn't have a lot of size at 5-foot-7, but he's a quick, low-to-the-ground back who has had a lot of production in just two years in college. White rushed for over 840 yards over two seasons and had 11 rushing touchdowns. He's also a pass-catching back, which is important at the next level, and had over 100 yards in both seasons, too.
The question with White is his health because he is a smaller back. This spring, Rodriguez said White had an injury, and despite dressing for the Gold-Blue Spring Showcase, he didn't play. It'll be interesting to see if teams will take a chance on White even with his smaller stature.
But White will most likely stay another year since he's just a junior.
Jimmori Robinson might be the biggest transfer addition for Rodriguez after taking the job this winter. Robinson was one of the best pass rushers in the portal out of UTSA.
Last year, Robinson had 10.5 sacks, which was the 10th-most in the NCAA. Six out of nine players ahead of him were selected in the 2025 Draft, so Robinson is on pace to be selected next spring.
The pass rusher has also become one of the most coveted positions in football. The second-highest paid non-quarterback in the NFL is Cleveland Browns edge Myles Garrett, who just signed a $40 million deal. Edge was one of the highest selected positions in the first round and in the entire draft with almost 30 selections.
Pass rusher is a need in the NFL, and Robinson is one of the best players at getting to the quarterback still in college football.
Rodriguez added a lot of receivers in the portal, so there'll be a lot of competition for who might be the No. 1 option in the fall. Jaden Bray has a real shot at being the No. 1 option as a veteran in the room.
Bray was injured last year and has been throughout his career, but when he's healthy, Bray is a 30-plus catch type of player.
Rodriguez doesn't throw the ball as much compared to the run, but eventually the run won't work, and they'll need to pass.
Wide receiver is the highest-paid non-quarterback position right now, and there were 30-plus receivers selected in the draft this year. Every team usually picks a receiver in the draft or signs a couple in undrafted free agency.
Bray could be one of the late-round additions or at least find a spot on a roster post-draft through undrafted free agency.
Hammond Russell is one of the leaders on WVU's defense and was productive last year. Russell had three sacks last year, and he'll see an uptick in production since he's the highest sack leader remaining on WVU's roster from last year. Russell and Robinson will probably be the two leaders in sacks after the fall.
Unless Russell has an insane season, he'll most likely go unsigned or maybe sneak in in the later rounds. Defensive tackle is another high-picked position in the NFL, but after a surge in this year's draft, there might not be so many taken this year.
If Russell has a great season, he could land on a roster.
Fred Perry is one of the many players who followed Rodriguez from Jacksonville State this winter. Perry's one of Rodriguez's many portal players that could make an immediate impact this fall.
Perry started 12 games in the secondary in 2024, earning All-Conference USA First-Team safety. He led the Gamecocks with 110 tackles, had three sacks, 10 tackles for loss, two pass breakups, two forced fumbles, two hurries and a fumble recovery. Perry was all over the field.
Perry will most likely fill the same role on defense this year in Zac Alley's defense. If Perry puts up the same numbers in a stronger conference like the Big 12, he could get some looks from professional teams.
Oliver Straw, punter
Reid Carrico, linebacker
Walter Young Bear, offensive lineman
Michael Coats Jr., cornerback