West Virginia running back Jahiem White (1) against Arizona in the first half during an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024, in Tucson, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

West Virginia is reportedly losing one of its top running backs to the transfer portal.

Running back Jahiem White is expected to enter the transfer portal when it opens on Jan. 2, his representative Ethos Sports Group announced on social media. A few hours later, sophomore running back Diore Hubbard reportedly planned on doing the same, according to On3’s Pete Nakos.

White was one of the top returning players when Rich Rodriguez took over last December, and White was expected to have a big role in Rodriguez’s run-heavy scheme. White didn’t enter the portal after Rodriguez arrived because he was excited about how much Rodriguez used his running backs. But White’s season ended quickly, suffering a season-ending knee injury in the Ohio game after an ugly tackle. His junior year ended rushing for three touchdowns in the first two games of the season.

White’s been around the facilities recovering for next season, and was even spotted at the Colorado game, supporting his squad.

Nothing made it seem like White was leaving, and even this past weekend, he posted on his Instagram story about how he was excited for next year.

White said in August that his play style fit into what Rodriguez was trying to do. He also talked about how he quickly developed a relationship with new running backs coach Larry Porter.

“I didn’t really know too much about coach Larry Porter, but he’s a great coach,” White said. “I love that he came. We actually bonded faster than usual.”

White played at WVU for three seasons, even starting his freshman year in three games. He had 1,086 all-purpose yards his freshman year, earning him Freshman All-American honors, according to some sites. The freshman rushed for a career high of 204 yards on the ground against Cincinnati. White then had the big sophomore season, sharing the backfield with now Ohio State running back C.J. Donaldson. White was named to the preseason All-Big 12 before the 2025 season, after racking up 845 yards and seven touchdowns in the final year of Neal Brown.

“Feel bad because he’s worked really hard, great player,” Rodriguez said after White’s injury. “Got a great enthusiasm about him, and as I told him today, he’ll come back better, stronger next year.”

Hubbard took over after White and backup Tye Edwards went down with an injury. He was banged up towards the end of the season and didn’t play in the final game. Hubbard rushed for 335 yards and four touchdowns in eight games. The Gahanna, Ohio, native also returned to play for Rodriguez after redshirting last year.

Rodriguez talked on Dec. 3, National Signing Day, about how in the coming weeks he’ll have exit meetings with all the players, being transparent on where they stand in the program.

“We’re going to have some tough decisions going forward with some of the guys on the roster,” Rodriguez said. “There’s others who may choose to leave on their own, or something like that.”

Without White and Hubbard, an already bare WVU running back room takes a significant hit for the 2026 season. WVU does have reinforcements on the way, adding 4-star running back Amari Latimer and 3-star SirPaul Cheeks. But WVU will rely more heavily on redshirt freshman Cyncir Bowers, and will seemingly have to add an experienced back in the portal.