MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — In his first season in the WVU football program, Rodney Gallagher III quickly learned a new position as he adjusted to the physical and mental demands of top-level Division I football. As Gallagher enters his sophomore season, he has had an entire offseason and a full 12 months with the team to make the transition from quarterback at Laurel Highlands High School in Uniontown, Pa. to receiver.
“I am very excited about the team. But it is surreal. It is nuts that it is flying by this fast,” Gallagher said.
Gallagher played in all 13 games for the Mountaineers last fall. He rushed the ball 15 times for 87 yards and caught 10 passes for 74 yards.
“I would definitely say that I got way bigger and way faster. I got smarter on the field. I honestly think my confidence is up also and I am getting more comfortable within the program. I am super-excited about that and am looking forward to having a bigger year.”
Like many players making the transition between their first and second years in a program, Gallagher has bulked up in the offseason and now checks in at 180 pounds. Gallagher credits the coaching staff and Head Coach for Football Strength and Conditioning Mike Joseph.
“Mike Joseph did a great job with us in the offseason with individual stuff and getting us bigger and putting us on a nutrition diet. He did a great job so shout out to him. And our great coaching staff also that put time into all of us, we’ve grown in so many ways.”
During spring drills, Gallagher received practice reps playing cornerback. That’s a position Gallagher played in high school and early returns were promising enough that he could break into the defensive lineup while still playing receiver.
“I love it. I honestly think that it is going to expand my brand. Scouts are going to like it also. I am very excited for it. I am looking forward to making an impact on both sides.”
With the added reps on defense comes a new jersey number. After wearing No. 2 as a freshman, Gallagher will sport No. 24 this fall. One of WVU’s top defensive players, Aubrey Burks already wears No. 2.
“24 is a family number, my mother and my dad also wore. I wanted to stay within the family. And that was the number I got to pick.”
Gallagher was one of the many WVU football players to take the field Tuesday at Milan Puskar Stadium in the Third Annual Country Roads Trust Youth Football Camp. Gallagher has also hosted a youth camp in Uniontown.
“It is something different and something they don’t get to see every day. We all enjoy this.
“I want to be that guy that kids can look up to in any type of way. It can be on the field or even off the field. I just want to be a great role model to the kids.”