Top 2023 4-star Dual-sport Recruit Rodney Gallagher is Excited to Check out West Virginia

Rodney Gallagher could play college football at any number of Power Five schools. He could also play basketball at any number of Power Five schools. West Virginia is one of the few schools to offer the multi-talented, multi-sport 2023 recruit in both sports.

Gallagher (6-foot-0, 160 pounds) is a 4-star football and basketball recruit from Laurel Highlands High School in Uniontown, Pennsylvania. The wide receiver/point guard is the top prospect in the 2023 Pennsylvania class in both football and basketball. With football offers from Arizona State, Maryland, Michigan State, North Carolina State, Penn State, Notre Dame, Pittsburgh, Wisconsin, Ole Miss, Virginia Tech and William & Mary. He also has basketball offers from Florida, George Mason, Hampton, Illinois, Penn State, Pittsburgh, Rhode Island and Wake Forest.

He’s been in touch with WVU coaches from the football and basketball teams, officially receiving offers in both sports after announcing his basketball offer Thursday on Twitter, and he’s planning a visit sooner rather than later.

“I actually haven’t recently talked to [football coach Neal Brown], but my dad, with the help of my football director, has talked to him and they just told me to come down and visit sometime,” Gallagher told WVSN over the phone Thursday. “But I think I’m planning on going to West Virginia in either a week or two. I’m going to go down there on an unofficial visit for basketball and just see football too.”

WVU assistant basketball coach Erik Martin has been the leading voice in bringing Gallagher to Morgantown, and with him extending the recent offer, Gallagher is excited to finally make a trip out to WVU.

“I’m glad that they got in early, and I can tell that they’re actually interested,” Gallagher said. “I can’t wait to meet the coaching staff and can’t wait to visit the campus to see what it’s like. They’re probably going to want to build a relationship so just whatever goes on, goes on and we’ll see down the road.”

WVU doesn’t have to look very far to build a connection either. Rising sophomore Jalen Bridges, a key returner for WVU’s basketball team, already has that link with Gallagher. Bridges and Gallagher have built a relationship in the past, with Gallagher calling the WVU forward a very good friend.

With some questions in the backcourt for WVU basketball currently as the Mountaineers await key draft decisions, Gallagher could be a key fit down the line.

(Photo courtesy of Rodney Gallagher)

A rising junior at Laurel Highlands, Gallagher averaged just over 19 points per game while chipping in five assists, five and a half rebounds and two steals per game on the court. On the gridiron, he did a little bit — or rather, a lot — of everything as he played quarterback, wide receiver and safety.

Gallagher threw for 377 yards and four touchdowns on just 49 attempts, rushed for a team-high 164 yards and three more scores, caught 17 passes for 300 yards and two scores (all team highs) and racked up 35 tackles and two interceptions on defense.

With such prowess in football and basketball, it’s unsurprising that Gallagher is racking up such heavy interest in both sports. The recruiting process, which may be stressful on such heavily recruited prospects, has been everything he’s ever dreamed it would be.

“It’s been unbelievable really,” Gallagher said. “I’m just so glad that I’m getting the chance to do it. … I’ve been dreaming about it since I was a little kid, and I’m just excited for the whole process.”

If WVU does end up being the collegiate home for Gallagher, he’s hoping to bring more success and accolades back to Morgantown. He’s a leader who really just wants to be there for his teammates.

“I’m a very hard worker and someone that wants to win very badly,” Gallagher said. “I want to bring championships and accomplishments to the program.”