York High alum Jahiem White, one of West Virginia’s most explosive offensive weapons in recent years, is set to enter the NCAA transfer portal after an injury-shortened 2025 campaign. White confirmed Monday that he plans to explore new opportunities following three seasons in Morgantown, where he became a fan favorite and emerged as one of the Big 12’s most dynamic young running backs. He will have two years of eligibility remaining at his next stop.
White made an immediate impact as a freshman in 2023, rushing for 802 yards and four touchdowns on just 109 carries, an impressive 7.7 yards per attempt. He followed that debut with 845 yards and seven scores in 2024, solidifying himself as one of the Mountaineers’ offensive centerpieces. Entering the 2025 season, he was a preseason All-Big 12 first-team selection, expected to carry an even larger workload after backfield partner CJ Donaldson transferred to Ohio State.
His momentum was abruptly halted, however, after a season-ending ankle injury suffered on Sept. 6 against Ohio. White had opened the year with a two-touchdown performance in the opener against Robert Morris, hinting at another breakout season before the injury sidelined him. West Virginia went on to finish 4-8, struggling to replace his production and consistency in the backfield.
Despite the shortened season, White finished his WVU career with strong numbers: 1,820 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns, plus 262 receiving yards and three additional scores. While entering the portal does not entirely eliminate the possibility of a return to Morgantown, the running back was not originally recruited by current head coach Rich Rodriguez, who returned to WVU last offseason. The Mountaineers also have notable depth at the position, with five returning backs and six newcomers in the 2026 signing class.
White is expected to draw significant interest once the transfer window officially opens on Jan. 2. He is currently ranked as the No. 7 running back available in the portal by 247Sports, positioning him as one of the most sought-after offensive players on the market. His proven production in a power-conference league should make him an attractive option for programs looking for an immediate-impact runner.
There is also a compelling connection at North Texas, where former West Virginia head coach Neal Brown now leads the program. Brown originally recruited White to Morgantown and could become a natural landing spot as he rebuilds the Mean Green roster. White’s move continues the trend of York-Adams League products making noise in the portal; last year, Central York quarterback Beau Pribula left Penn State and ultimately won the starting job at Missouri, where he started 10 games this season.
