The top recruit in the 2023 recruiting class for West Virginia Rodney Gallagher is not yet on campus. The Uniontown, Pennsylvania, product is coming into a wide receiver room that needs to replace the production of three starters in Sam James, Bryce Ford-Wheaton and Kaden Prather. Despite not joining the team yet, the WVU coaching staff already has a plan for the incoming freshman.
Newly hired wide receivers coach Bilal Marshall, who knew Gallagher before he was hired, says that learning the playbook is what’s going to determine if Gallagher can play this upcoming season, and it is his job to make sure he is ready to play.
“He’s a guy that’s gonna be twitchy, he has really good ball skills and he’s gonna know how to get open and at the end of the day how fast can he pick up the playbook, that’s what’s gonna determine can he play or not. And it’s my job to make sure that he can, it’s not gonna be my fault that he doesn’t play. It’s my job to get him ready as much as I possibly can and ultimately it’s gonna be up to him how much he can pick up,” Marshall said.
Newly appointed offensive coordinator Chad Scott also spoke highly of Gallagher, saying that he has no doubt Gallagher can come in and make an impact right away, as well as saying the team has a plan for him, although not alluding to what it will be.
“There ain’t no doubt (he will play this year), can’t ever have enough playmakers that’s for certain. We do have a plan for Rodney Gallagher when he gets here,” Scott said.
Head coach Neal Brown added that Gallagher attended a recent practice and will have opportunities when he joins the team, along with what he needs to do before the season starts.
“Rodney was out at practice today, he’s gonna have opportunities. He’s gotta gain some weight and get stronger, but in fall camp he’s gonna have some opportunities in the slot to help us,” Brown said
Brown was asked what the coaching staff can do with Gallagher before he officially joins the team later in the spring and what they are currently doing with him.
“It’s real clear what you can and can’t do, so they can come to practice, you can do zoom meetings with them, there’s ways to get them caught up. Coach Mike is able to give them a workout and they follow that workout,” Brown added.
Photo by Wesley Shoemaker, Blue Gold Sports
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