Rodney Gallagher III may be WVU football’s ‘best man defender’ in secondary, per Neal Brown

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — One of the top West Virginia University football storylines of the spring was how sophomore wideout Rodney Gallagher III tested his athleticism by playing on offense and defense .

As of WVU’s fourth fall practice of the year, Gallagher III is back to practicing as a wide receiver on offense and a cornerback on defense.

“He may be our best man defender right now,” WVU head coach Neal Brown said. “He’s going to play.”

The former four-star recruit appeared in 13 games on offense and special teams as a true freshman last fall, and he tallied 10 catches for 74 yards and 15 rushing attempts for 87 yards. He accumulated 35 total yards on three runs and two receptions against UCF in late October, and he matched that yardage total a week later on three runs and one reception against BYU.

A standout wide receiver and quarterback at Laurel Highlands High School in Uniontown, Pennsylvania, he signed with the Mountaineers in 2023 as an athlete. While he primarily played quarterback as a high school junior and senior, he earned the attention of numerous Power Five football programs based on his playing abilities and athleticism as a receiver.

He was the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s WPIAL Male Athlete of the Year in 2022, and he also earned four First-Team All-State selections on the basketball court in high school.

“He’s looking more fluid as a receiver, too,” Brown said. “I’m proud of him because we’re putting a bunch on him mentally, and he’s spending extra time here to make going both ways work.”

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