When Prince Strachan entered the transfer portal, West Virginia had more than just his film to evaluate.
The Mountaineers already had a connection to his family. Read more: Prince Strachan’s path to WVU runs through a familiar West Virginia connection.
That relationship dates back to Strachan’s brother, Michael, Pat Kirkland, the WVU Special Teams coordinator, and the University of Charleston (WV), where Kirkland coached before joining Rich Rodriguez’s staff.
Rodriguez said that connection played a role in West Virginia’s pursuit of Prince Strachan.
“That helped, because Pat, Coach’s brother, is a great player for him at Charleston,” Rodriguez said. “And so, we had a relationship with the family and tried to get him before, and when he went to USC.”
For WVU, it gave the coaching staff familiarity with Strachan’s family before Prince ever arrived in Morgantown.
A familiar connection
Kirkland’s relationship with the Strachan family began during his time at Charleston, where Prince’s brother played for him.
That connection eventually carried over to Rodriguez’s staff and helped West Virginia establish a relationship with Prince when he entered the transfer portal.
Related: Rich Rodriguez ‘anxious’ to see what WVU has as season opener nears
The Mountaineers had previously tried to recruit Strachan, according to Rodriguez, but he ultimately chose USC when he transferred from Boise State.
This time, however, WVU was able to land the experienced receiver.
A new opportunity
Strachan arrives in Morgantown as another experienced addition to a wide receiver room that Rodriguez said is continuing to develop.
The 6’5 receiver has dealt with an injury during his transition to West Virginia, missing time because of a shoulder injury suffered in the spring.
Rodriguez said Strachan was cleared just days before the August 19 practice and had returned to practicing fully.
“He’s a big body, an experienced guy,” Rodriguez said.
That experience could be important for a Mountaineer offense that is still working through a significant amount of turnover.
More than a family connection
While the relationship with Kirkland helped open the door, Strachan now has the opportunity to establish his own place in West Virginia’s program.
Rodriguez mentioned Strachan alongside Jaden Bray as experienced receivers who are continuing to develop within the room.
For Strachan, the move to Morgantown represents a fresh opportunity, but one that comes with a familiar connection to West Virginia football.
His brother’s time at Charleston helped create the relationship.
Now, Prince has the chance to write the next chapter of the family’s football story in Morgantown.
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