Rich Rodriguez's first season with West Virginia had two major storylines: his return to bring WVU back to glory and the significant roster turnover.
Following former coach Neal Brown's firing and Rodriguez's appointment, many players entered the transfer portal, a common occurrence with a new head coach. Rodriguez actively utilized the portal to address holes in the 2024 squad and those created by Brown's departure.
He added around 70 players through the portal, one of the highest numbers in college football, comparable to North Carolina and Oklahoma State.
Rodriguez hit the portal hard, patching up holes from the 2024 squad and the ones created when Brown left.
Rodriguez balances NIL, portal, and recruiting strategy to keep WVU competitive.
Author's summary: Rodriguez rebuilds WVU roster via transfer portal.