West Virginia running back Jaylan Knighton is not expected to play this season due to an academic issue, coach Rich Rodriguez confirmed Wednesday.
“It does not look like he’s going to be eligible,” Rodriguez said, calling the situation a “bit of a surprise” to everyone involved.
A senior transfer from SMU (and before that, Miami), Knighton has been removed from the Mountaineers’ roster less than three weeks before the Aug. 30 season opener against Robert Morris in Morgantown, W.Va.
Knighton has rushed for 1,981 yards and 17 touchdowns and caught 57 passes for 628 yards and five scores across 41 games with the Hurricanes (2020-22) and Mustangs (2023-24).