DEAL DONE: West Virginia Baseball Transfers Jace Rinehart to WVU Football in Historic Dual-Sport Agreement The Announcement Came Monday Afternoon as Both WVU Athletics and the Baseball and Football Programs Confirmed the Unprecedented Decision in a Joint Press Release….

DEAL DONE: West Virginia Baseball Transfers Jace Rinehart to WVU Football in Historic Dual-Sport Agreement

The Announcement Came Monday Afternoon as Both WVU Athletics and the Baseball and Football Programs Confirmed the Unprecedented Decision in a Joint Press Release….

In a groundbreaking move rarely seen in college athletics, West Virginia University has officially finalized a deal that will allow star baseball player Jace Rinehart to join the Mountaineers football program for the next three years under a dual-signing agreement.

The announcement came Monday afternoon as both WVU Athletics and the baseball and football programs confirmed the unprecedented decision in a joint press release. The deal signifies a major moment for multi-sport collegiate athletes, as Rinehart becomes the first WVU student-athlete in over a decade to sign with both major programs simultaneously.

“A Unique Talent with a Unique Opportunity”

Jace Rinehart, a sophomore outfielder for the WVU baseball team, has long been known for his athletic versatility. Standing at 6’3” and weighing in at 215 pounds, Rinehart brings a powerful combination of speed, strength, and agility that has drawn attention beyond the diamond. According to insiders, the WVU football coaching staff had been closely monitoring his progress and potential since early 2024.

The new agreement will allow Rinehart to continue competing for the Mountaineers’ baseball team while joining the football roster as a wide receiver beginning this fall. The terms of the deal include a structured schedule balancing training and competition demands, with both programs agreeing to coordinated planning to avoid scheduling conflicts.

Coach Support and Program Excitement

Football Head Coach Neal Brown expressed excitement about the acquisition: “Jace is an elite athlete with the physical tools and mental discipline to succeed on the football field. He’s shown incredible work ethic in baseball, and we’re confident he can translate that success to our offense.”

Baseball Head Coach Randy Mazey echoed the sentiment, adding, “While it’s always a challenge to share a player across sports, we fully support Jace’s ambitions. This is a great opportunity for him and a proud moment for WVU Athletics.”

A Rare Dual-Sport Path

Dual-sport athletes at the NCAA Division I level are increasingly rare due to the intense demands of both academic and athletic responsibilities. However, this deal signals a potential shift, especially in light of recent changes in NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) rules and greater flexibility offered to student-athletes.

Sources close to the program revealed that the agreement was months in the making and required approvals from compliance officers, athletic directors, and both coaching staffs. Rinehart will be given the flexibility to train year-round for both sports, with specialized support staff and conditioning plans tailored to his dual-role responsibilities.

Rinehart’s Reaction

In a brief statement posted to his social media, Rinehart wrote: “Excited and blessed to announce I’ll be joining WVU Football while continuing with Mountaineer Baseball. Grateful to both coaching staffs for believing in me and helping make this dream a reality.”

As Jace Rinehart begins his journey as a two-sport athlete at WVU, all eyes will be on Morgantown to see how this unique arrangement plays out. For now, it marks a win-win for both programs — and a testament to the talent and drive of one extraordinary student-athlete.