Oklahoma's Key Lawrence (12) forces a fumble from SMU's Jaylan Knighton (4) in the second half of the college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners and the Southern Methodist University Mustangs at the Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. SARAH PHIPPS/THE OKLAHOMAN / USA TODAY NETWORK

West Virginia Secures Commitment from SMU RB Transfer Jaylan Knighton

Originally posted on West Virginia Mountaineers on SI
By Schuyler Callihan | Last updated Apr 28, 2025 11:18 AM ET

West Virginia added to the running back room on Monday morning, picking up a commitment from Jaylan Knighton.

Knighton began his career at Miami, where he spent three seasons and rushed for 1,193 yards and 10 touchdowns on 275 carries. In 2023, he transferred to SMU to follow Rhett Lashlee, who was the offensive coordinator at Miami and took the head coaching job at SMU. In 136 carries, he racked up 745 yards and seven touchdowns.

This past season, Knighton only appeared in two games after suffering a knee injury against BYU.

He will have one year of eligibility remaining.

West Virginia's updated transfer portal class

Offense: QB Jaylen Henderson (Texas A&M), QB Max Brown (Charlotte), RB Jaylan Knighton (SMU), RB Tye Edwards (Northern Iowa), WR Christian Hamilton (North Carolina), WR Jarod Bowie (Jacksonville State), WR Cam Vaughn (Jacksonville State), WR Oran Singleton Jr. (Eastern Michigan), WR Cyrus Traugh (Youngstown State), WR Jeff Weimer (Idaho State), TE Grayson Barnes (Northern Illinois), TE Jacob Barrick (Jacksonville State), OL Robby Martin (NC State), OL Kimo Makane'ole (LSU), OL Walter Young Bear (Tulsa), OL Ty'Kieast Crawford (Arkansas), OL Mickel Clay (Northern Alabama), OL Joshua Aisosa (Oklahoma), OL Malik Agbo (Texas), OL Wyatt Minor (Youngstown State)

Defense:EDGE Jimmori Robinson (UTSA), EDGE Braden Siders (Wyoming), EDGE Eddie Kelly Jr. (Missouri), LB Ben Bogle (Southern Illinois), LB Ashton Woods (North Carolina), LB Chase Wilson (Colorado State), CB Nick Taylor (Appalachian State), CB Jason Chambers (Appalachian State), CB Jordan Scruggs (South Alabama), CB Michael Coats Jr. (Nevada), CB Devonte Golden-Nelson (Akron), CB Derek Carter (Jacksonville State), S Justin Harrington (Washington), S William Davis (Virginia Union), S Fred Perry (Jacksonville State), S Jordan Walker (Chattanooga), K Ethan Head (Tulane), K Kade Hensley (Coastal Carolina).