Running back Jahiem White provided a surprise spark in West Virginia’s offense as a freshman last season, this season he’s looking to bounce off of last year’s performance and continue to keep working.
“I love to work with a chip on my shoulder. I mean I feel like that’s the only way I could get through, (is) with a chip on my shoulder,” White said.
It wasn’t until week eight of last season that White saw consistent snaps in the backfield. In 2023, he totaled 842 rushing yards and four touchdowns on 109 carries, 607 of those yards and three of those touchdowns came in West Virginia’s final six games. Overall, White averaged 7.7 yards per carry, which ranked third in the nation among eligible players and first in the Big 12.
“There’s always room for improvement but like if I just keep working on the little things it’s going to keep leading to the bigger picture,” White said.
In a more secure role at the running back position, White will most likely be taking on a heavier workload. When asked if he was ready for that, White put it simply. “Yes sir,” White said “I’m ready to ball.”
In other aspects of playing the running back position, White said that one of his main focuses has been improving in pass protection this offseason.
“Pass blocking was like really my biggest thing that I had to work on, but you know over the spring and all that, coach (Chad) Scott (RBs coach and offensive coordinator) really worked with me with the pass protection and I felt like I got way better,” White said.
White will be complemented in the backfield by more of a power-back in CJ Donaldson. White spoke on their relationship and how they help each other.
“I mean we really just work off each other. Like if I do something a little wrong then he’ll talk to me about it and then if he [does] something wrong he’ll come to me and then I’ll talk to him, tell him you know what he [has] to work on what he [has] to fix,” White said on his relationship with Donaldson.
In 2024, the Mountaineers have high hopes, with White expected to play a significant role in their offense. West Virginia opens their season at home against Penn State on Aug. 31.
