The mass exodus of West Virginia players, and significant players, continued on New Year’s Eve.

Two long-time Mountaineers, wide receiver Rodney Gallagher and defensive lineman Hammond Russell, both announced that they’d be entering the transfer portal when it opens on Jan. 2.

Gallagher was a highly sought-after 4-star recruit out of Uniontown, Pennsylvania, and was recruited by former head coach Neal Brown. Gallagher played for three seasons and racked up 605 yards and three touchdowns in his time in Morgantown. This past season, Gallagher had 28 catches for 243 yards and couldn’t find pay dirt.

With Gallagher’s departure, WVU’s wide receiver room takes a big hit, if it wasn’t hurt already. Last week, WVU’s leading receiver Cam Vaughn announced he intends to leave. With other transfers and graduations, the Mountaineers’ top seven receiving leaders won’t be coming back for 2026. The next man up is Jaden Bray, who’s dealt with injuries all year and missed most of 2025.

Rodriguez will definitely have to look into the portal himself to pick up an experienced pass catcher. Some receivers are coming in the 2026 recruiting class. WVU has two of the top five JUCO wide receivers, including Keon Hutchins, who is the top JUCO player.

Gallagher wasn’t the only player to leave. Defensive lineman Russell was another Brown recruit who decided to come back in Year 1 of Rodriguez, but changed his mind in Year 2. Russell was known as the “glue guy” to his peers and played for three years. Russell missed most of the year and only played in six games of the year. Russell concluded his time with 5.5 sacks and 6.5 tackles for loss. He was on pace to have a great 2025, with two sacks.

There have been a lot of players to transfer and that was expected. It’s just that it’s been the more well-known names, which have been surprising to fans. Names like running backs Jahiem White, Diore Hubbard, Cyncir Bowers and Vaughn have all decided to leave.

There has been some leadership change. Running backs coach Larry Porter left for the Auburn job, so transfers were expected. Rodriguez recently hired Kentucky’s Jay Boulware in his place. There are also 49 players in the 2026 class, so there had to be some departures.

WVU is now up to 33 players expected to enter the portal.