WVU Football
Justin Harrington to Rebound from ACL Injury? | WVU Football All 105
All 105 is a West Virginia Sports Now series profiling each member of the 2025 WVU Football Roster.
WVU Football marks the fourth and final program Justin Harrington will suit up for during his eight year college career… assuming he’s able to win a lawsuit against the NCAA giving him another year of eligibility.
He began at the junior college level in 2018, picking up seven interceptions across two seasons at Bakersfield College (Calif.) before turning that into a Power Five bid with Oklahoma.
Playing as a cheetah, or hybrid linebacker/safety in Brett Venables’ defense, the 6-foot-3, 217 pound Harrington earned a starting role in 2023 before suffering a season ending injury. He displayed a nose for the football at every stop in his college career, snagging three interceptions in 19 games with the Sooners, but saw his playing time dip to just eight games after transferring to Washington in 2024.
While athletes can medically recover from an ACL injury in less than a year, gaining full confidence in the rebuilt ligament can take more time than that. As such, he’s a great candidate to rebound this season.
Harrington joins a Mountaineers squad in desperate need of fresh air in the secondary, and his experience, versatility and ability to generate turnovers could help give the unit some stability.
8 • Justin Harrington, redshirt senior safety
Last year: Harrington transferred to Washington in 2024, playing in eight games.
Stats: Despite a season-ending injury wiping out his promising 2023 season, Harrington’s best statistical performance came at Oklahoma, when he picked up three interceptions in 19 games.
Camp outlook: Although he picked up just three tackles last season, Harrington could rebound now that he’s another year removed from a season-ending ACL tear.
Projected role: Depending on how new defensive coordinator Zac Alley plans to use his players, Harrington will either play as a nickel or dime defensive back, similar to his role at Oklahoma, or get reps as a starter.
Accolades, highlights: With ten interceptions in his college career, Harrington’s soft hands could give the Mountaineers a jolt of momentum.
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