Just before WVU football head coach Rich Rodriguez took the podium at a post-practice press conference following the fifth day of preseason camp, the news broke that four Mountaineer players currently awaiting a ruling on eligibility for the 2025 season – edge rusher Jimmori Robinson, wide receiver Jeffrey Weimer, running back Tye Edwards, and safety Justin Harrington – have filed a lawsuit after hearing no word from the NCAA on the matter in recent weeks.
We have eligibility rule lawsuit #30. This one involves multiple athlete-plaintiffs, all seeking to play football this fall for West Virginia after transferring there this spring.
The plaintiffs are Jimmori Robinson, Jeffrey Weimer, Tye Edwards, and Justin Harrington. pic.twitter.com/8P3KvgGpmm
— Sam C. Ehrlich (@samcehrlich) August 4, 2025
Rodriguez seemed almost surprised by the news, even clarifying that it was his players and not players from another program when a reporter mentioned the news to him. But after digesting the news, Rodriguez delivered a one-word message conveying his thoughts on the subject that shows his players likely have his complete approval in seeking legal action.
“Outstanding,” Rodriguez practically boomed before a reporter could even finish his question on the matter.
WVU HC Rich Rodriguez's one-word response to this news in his press conference today?
"Outstanding." #HailWV https://t.co/0tfy1xuhwB
— Joe Smith (@joesmithwrites) August 4, 2025
Rodriguez was likely being facetious as he confirmed with the reporters that it was in-fact his players filing a lawsuit, as he mentioned in the next breath about “knowing they’ve got attorneys” – but he did expand upon why the issue is so frustrating to deal with this late into the process.
“I’m hopeful. Those guys have been around, and they got to work out on their own. Obviously they can help our program,” Rodriguez said. “They can come by the building and we don’t have to throw them out, but they’re truly on their own.”
But on that note, Rodriguez also made it clear that neither he as the coach or the school has much say in the process, though he was also pretty open that’d he like to get answer on the matter as soon as possible.
“The sooner we know something the better, but we don’t control that deal,” he said.
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