Jan. 9—MORGANTOWN — Rich Rodriguez went on a rant after losing to Arizona State about how the difference in the game was that West Virginia couldn’t get a yard of push from the line. Rodriguez has made fixing that issue a top priority in the portal.
Two offensive linemen transferred to the Mountaineers late Thursday night, making for another big day in the portal. Jacksonville State offensive lineman Cameron Griffin has reportedly committed to WVU, according to Keenan Cummings from On3. Shortly after, UConn offensive lineman Carsten Casady reportedly signed with the Mountaineers, according to Chris Hummer of CBS Sports.
Griffin has played since his true freshman season, playing under Rodriguez when he was there. He played in 12 games, mostly on special teams. In his sophomore year, Griffin started at guard and played 10 games, not allowing a sack on 45 pass plays.
In 2025, Griffin only got better under new WVU offensive line coach Rick Trickett. He played left tackle, guard and center, making for a versatile lineman for the Mountaineers. Griffin had a strong enough performance to be named first-team All-Conference USA.
Casady from UConn is just as good. Casady made an impact in his redshirt freshman season and saw action in nine games at right guard and center. Then, he played in all 12 games in 2025 and saw 774 snaps. In his college career, Casady hasn’t allowed a sack.
Rodriguez is putting together a team of players who haven’t allowed a sack after a rough year where WVU’s offensive line allowed the second-most sacks in the Big 12. Wyoming O-line transfer Wes King didn’t allow a sack, returners Nick Krahe and Landen Livingston only allowed one apiece and Casady hasn’t allowed one either.
This new offensive line also has a lot of size. Casady is 6-foot-7, 300 pounds and Griffin is 6-foot-4 and 305 pounds. Then, returner Nick Krahe is 6-foot-6, 316 pounds, King is 6-foot-5, 313 pounds and Kansas State transfer Devin Vass is 6-foot-6, 308 pounds. Almost every lineman added and returning is over 300 pounds.
Most of WVU’s new offensive linemen are more experienced, yet most have a couple of years of eligibility left. The more experienced linemen should take over for one or two years, so the new freshman, like 4-star Kevin Brown and 3-star Camden Goforth, can ease their way into the next level. Both should be starters in the coming years.
With the additions of Casady and Griffin, Rodriguez and Trickett have added four linemen, totaling 18 transfers for this cycle. 18 is far more than what Rodriguez said at National Signing Day. He mentioned five or seven impact additions, but the Mountaineers had a lot of departures, so it makes sense. Rodriguez isn’t done. It’s only been a week since the portal officially opened.
