WVU Football Makes Late JUCO Addition to Defense During Preseason Camp

WVU Football Makes Late JUCO Addition to Defense During Preseason Camp

 

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (August 9, 2025) — Just as preseason practice is heating up, West Virginia University’s football program has bolstered its defensive lineup with a late addition. Junior linebacker Caleb Nuhi-Yandall, recently of Cerritos College (Cerritos CC), has been officially added to the Mountaineers’ roster—marking one of the few roster enhancements made mid-camp.

Nuhi-Yandall’s inclusion became public via a media-open practice where his name appeared on the roster, listed as a junior. The Long Beach, California native earned First Team All‑Conference honors during his final season at Cerritos CC after a standout campaign that featured a strong tackling presence in the junior college ranks.

This move follows another recent portal acquisition: Oluwaseyi Omotosho, a defensive lineman from Oregon State, was similarly added to WVU’s defense earlier in camp.

Head coach Rich Rodriguez signaled these moves stem from his willingness to “fill gaps” during camp—even at this late stage in preparation. He acknowledged the challenge of integrating newcomers midstream, noting, “The guys we would add in now…you’re going to kind of force feed them a little bit, what they can and can’t do, and go from there.”

Integration Amid Preseason: Challenges and Expectations

WVU’s preseason camp is now well underway, but the roster hasn’t been fixed—and judging by the latest additions, Rodriguez isn’t shying away from tweaking it during the build-up to the season opener. Adding talent mid-camp presents both opportunity and complexity: players like Nuhi‑Yandall must adapt quickly to new schemes, terminology, and teammates while competing for playing time among peers already entrenched in the system.

This isn’t particularly unusual for Rodriguez, who inherited a team undergoing a significant rebuild. The Cavaliers entered this offseason having lost substantial on‑field experience across all units—particularly at linebacker, where returning snap percentage was among the lowest on defense. Adding seasoned JUCO performers like Nuhi‑Yandall and Omotosho helps plug those gaps, contributing immediate depth and competition.

What Nuhi‑Yandall Brings to Morgantown

While exact measurements and measurables were not disclosed in the initial announcement, his All‑Conference selection at Cerritos implies strong instincts and production at the linebacker spot. The Mountaineers needed reinforcements in their front seven. With respect to linebacker snaps, WVU returned only around 17% from the previous season—a glaring deficiency the staff has actively worked to address through portal additions.

Expect coaching staff to view Nuhi‑Yandall initially as depth with potential to push for early-season relevance—either as a rotational contributor or special teams asset. His productivity at JUCO suggests he could be a valuable practice presence and disruptive force on game days if his adjustment period goes smoothly.

Looking Ahead

As WVU grinds through fall camp, all eyes will be on how well its late arrivals—primarily NUhi‑Yandall and Omotosho—learn the playbook, absorb position duties, and show up in drills. Their ability to make an impression could determine whether they stick on the roster beyond camp or even displace incumbents.

Bottom line: West Virginia’s decision to add Caleb Nuhi‑Yandall mid‑preseason underscores a pragmatic, results‑driven ethos under Rodriguez. With depth at a premium and preseason evaluation ongoing, the move offers a low-risk, high‑potential upside. If nothing else, Nuhi‑Yandall’s arrival gives WVU yet another defensive piece to mold before Week 1.