The hits just keep coming for West Virginia’s secondary.
In a move that sent ripples through the Mountaineer fanbase late Friday, redshirt freshman defensive back Jordan Jackson officially announced his intention to enter the NCAA transfer portal—just days after the conclusion of the highly anticipated Gold and Blue Spring Showcase. His departure adds yet another layer of uncertainty to an already thinning WVU secondary, and signals a troubling trend that head coach Neal Brown and his staff must address urgently.
Jackson, a Cincinnati, Ohio native and once-promising recruit, took to social media to express his gratitude while simultaneously closing the chapter on his time in Morgantown.
“My time at West Virginia has been nothing short of amazing,” he wrote. “Thank you to the coaching staff, my teammates, and Mountaineer Nation for believing in me. After deep reflection, I’ve made the decision to enter the transfer portal with three years of eligibility remaining.”
Jackson, who made three appearances during his true freshman campaign in 2023, did not see the field last season—raising questions about his role, future in the depth chart, and how the program is developing its young talent.
While his on-field résumé may still be developing, Jackson’s departure represents something far larger than a simple transfer—it marks the eighth defensive back to exit the program in recent months, a shocking exodus that includes a mix of portal jumpers and roster attrition. That’s not just a leak in the pipeline—it’s a full-on hemorrhage.
What’s behind the mass exit from the defensive backfield? Is it coaching philosophy? Lack of playing time? Culture fit? Or perhaps the changing landscape of college football itself—where players are quicker than ever to seek greener pastures in the age of NIL and instant eligibility? Whatever the root cause, it’s a fire the WVU staff needs to extinguish—fast.
Fans are growing restless. A defense already under pressure to improve now faces mounting instability in one of its most critical units. And while the portal offers opportunities to restock, the loss of homegrown or developed talent like Jackson stings. These are the players meant to be the bedrock of the future—now they’re taking their talents elsewhere.
Jackson’s exit is a cautionary tale and a red flag wrapped in one. A reminder that in the modern game, player retention can be just as important—and difficult—as recruitment.
Now, the Mountaineers find themselves at a crossroads. Will they be able to rally, retool, and rebuild? Or is this the beginning of a deeper identity crisis in the program’s foundation?
As Jackson prepares for his next chapter, one thing is certain: the Mountaineers’ coaching staff must act swiftly to patch the holes before the defense finds itself in disarray come fall. The transfer portal gives—and it certainly takes—and for WVU, the storm is far from over.
