Ex-Penn State football target, elite PA prospect, to play ‘all three phases’ for West Virginia on Saturday

One of Pennsylvania’s top recruits from recruiting cycles past and a former Penn State football target appears to be in for a busy Saturday afternoon. Wide receiver Rodney Gallagher is expected to play a multifaced role in the West Virginia gameplan against the Nittany Lions, according to Mountaineers head coach Neal Brown.

“Rodney is really coming along,” Brown said on his weekly coaches radio show, The Neal Brown Show, Thursday evening. “Rodney is going to play both ways for us on Saturday. I don’t know when the last time that happened here, but he’s definitely going to play [both ways], and he’ll play some special teams. So he’ll play in all three phases.”

A four-star prospect out of Laurel Highlands High School in southwestern Pennsylvania, Rodney Gallagher was the top wide receiver and the No. 3 player in the Keystone State for the 2023 cycle, per 247Sports.

Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

The future Mountaineer played all three phases throughout much of his high school career, lining up at quarterback, receiver, cornerback, safety, and kick returner at various points while at Laurel Highlands.

Gallagher visited Penn State football six times as a recruit, but ultimately chose the Mountaineers. Already showing his versatility as a true freshman last fall, Gallagher caught ten passes for 74 yards while rushing the ball 15 times for 87 yards.

The one-time Penn State target was projected as the Mountaineers’ starting H receiver in the program’s preseason depth chart.

The Nittany Lions opened as a 12-point favorite over West Virginia in May. The line has dropped considerably since, leveling at 10 points in mid-summer and now at -7.5 points approaching gameday.

Kickoff between Penn State football and West Virginia is set for noon ET on FOX’s Big Noon Kickoff.

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