MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — West Virginia is getting another experienced piece in its secondary.
Georgia transfer safety JaCorey Thomas is now eligible to play for the Mountaineers, according to On3’s Pete Nakos. Thomas was one of the players included in the Indiana injunction that restored eligibility for players seeking a fifth year. Read more: JaCorey Thomas now eligible to play for West Virginia.
Thomas committed to West Virginia earlier this month after spending the previous four seasons at Georgia.
Now, he can officially take the field.
Rodriguez saw Thomas as a “plug-and-play” option
When Thomas committed to the Mountaineers, head coach Rich Rodriguez explained why WVU wanted to add another veteran to its secondary during his radio show September 7.
“We really got three safety positions. We got a free safety, a boundary safety, and a nickel safety. We’ve got some experienced players, but we also have a lot of freshmen behind them,” Rodriguez said.
“Those freshmen are all going to be good players, but we thought we needed another experienced guy if we could find one that would be kind of a plug-and-play guy, and I think JaCorey fits that mold, so we’ll see how that works out.”
Thomas gives defensive coordinator Zac Alley another player who has experience playing multiple spots in the secondary.
Rodriguez also said during that same radio show that he spoke with Georgia Head Coach Kirby Smart before bringing Thomas to Morgantown. Smart gave Rodriguez positive feedback on Thomas.
“He said he was a great player for him, a great kid, and all that kind of stuff,” Rodriguez said.
Another veteran for WVU’s defense
Thomas has already played at a high level in the SEC, appearing in 14 games for Georgia last season while making eight starts. He finished the 2025 season with 45 tackles, 26 solo tackles, one tackle for loss and one sack.
He also participated in Carolina Panthers rookie minicamp this offseason before returning to college football.
Related: Rich Rodriguez turns the page to Oklahoma State as WVU prepares for Big 12 play
Thomas gives Alley another experienced option in a secondary that has relied on both veterans and younger players.
With his eligibility now cleared, West Virginia can work Thomas into the defensive rotation and determine where he fits best.
For a player Rodriguez previously described as a potential “plug-and-play” addition, the Mountaineers can finally find out what Thomas can bring to the defense on the field.
The NCAA can appeal the decision.
But for now, Thomas can suit up.
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