Analyst Places Extremely High Expectations on WVU’s Jahiem White

Now entering his third season at WVU, there’s pressure on Jahiem White to excel in Rich Rodriguez’s offense. At least one national analyst believes White will have his best year yet as he becomes one of the top running backs in the country.

“I think Jahiem White is a dark horse Doak Walked Award candidate this season,” said PFF’s Max Chadwick.

Jahiem White could have a HUGE year in Rich Rodriguez’s offense🚀 pic.twitter.com/QF9M7uHUGR

— PFF College (@PFF_College) August 7, 2025

White was placed on the Doak Walker Award Watch List on August 5, putting him in the running for the honor of being the nation’s top running back.

The lone Mountaineer on the Preseason All-Big 12 team, White also made the Walter Camp Player of the Year Watch List.

With CJ Donaldson in Columbus after transferring to Ohio State, White will serve as the clear featured back for WVU in 2025. The junior running back will be relied on heavily to lead the West Virginia offense.

Despite the coaching change, White decided to stay in Morgantown for another season, and will see NFL Draft buzz at the end of the year if he manages to succeed in his new role.

WVU running back Jahiem White doing a drill at fall camp practice. (WVSN photo by Mike Asti)

PFF listed White at No. 10 on their list of the best running backs who decided to stay with their school instead of hitting the transfer portal or exiting for the NFL Draft.

White missed time during the spring with an undisclosed injury, but has been a full go during fall camp and should be more than ready to go before the season begins.

White led West Virginia in rushing each of the last two seasons, running for 842 yards and four touchdowns in 2023 and 845 yards and seven scores during the 2024 season.

He currently has over 1,900 yards from scrimmage and 14 touchdowns so far in his WVU career, a career that’s not over yet.

Find more coverage of Jahiem White at WV Sports Now.