WVU Bolsters Tight End Room with Portal Additions

Mountaineers add experienced transfers Sapp and Ball to complement returning tight end Ward

Published on Feb. 8, 2026

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West Virginia football is set to have an experienced tight end room in 2026 after losing standout Grayson Barnes. The Mountaineers added transfers Josh Sapp from Clemson and Cam Ball from Mississippi State to join returning tight end Ryan Ward. WVU also brought back the fullback position, signing Arizona's Kayden Luke. While the freshmen tight ends may not see much playing time in 2026, the veteran transfers should provide a boost to Rich Rodriguez's offense.

Why it matters

Tight end is a crucial position in Rich Rodriguez's offense, requiring players who can both block effectively in the run game and make plays in the passing attack. With the loss of Barnes, who was a key contributor in 2025, the Mountaineers needed to reload at the position to maintain their offensive tempo and productivity.

The details

North Carolina transfer Ryan Ward is the lone returning tight end with experience, having recorded six catches for 41 yards and a touchdown in 2025. To bolster the position group, WVU added Clemson's Josh Sapp and Mississippi State's Cam Ball, both of whom have four years of college football experience. Sapp had 11 catches for 150 yards in 2025, while the 6-foot-7 Ball started 10 games over his career. The Mountaineers also brought in Arizona fullback Kayden Luke to reintroduce that position to the offense.

  • WVU beat rival Pitt in overtime of the 2025 Backyard Brawl, with tight end Grayson Barnes catching the game-tying touchdown pass.
  • Barnes has now exhausted his eligibility, leaving a hole at the tight end position for 2026.

The players

Grayson Barnes

The standout tight end who led WVU in 2025 with 21 catches for 232 yards and two touchdowns, including the game-tying score in the Backyard Brawl.

Ryan Ward

The North Carolina transfer is the lone returning tight end with experience, having recorded six catches for 41 yards and a touchdown in 2025.

Josh Sapp

The Clemson transfer played four seasons for the Tigers, recording 11 catches for 150 yards in 2025.

Cam Ball

The 6-foot-7 Mississippi State transfer has 35 games of experience over four seasons, including 10 starts, and brings size to the tight end room.

Kayden Luke

The Arizona fullback transfer will likely serve as more of a lead blocker, but could also contribute in the passing game out of the backfield.

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What they’re saying

“Tight end is one of the hardest positions to play in my offense aside from quarterback. They have to block a ton in the run-heavy scheme, and then go out for a pass on down and distance.”

— Rich Rodriguez, Head Coach, West Virginia (dominionpost.com)

What’s next

The Mountaineers will look to integrate the new tight end transfers into the offense during spring practice and preseason camp, with the goal of having a cohesive and productive tight end room for the 2026 season.

The takeaway

With the loss of standout tight end Grayson Barnes, West Virginia has aggressively addressed the position through the transfer portal, adding experienced players in Josh Sapp and Cam Ball to complement returning tight end Ryan Ward. This should provide Rich Rodriguez with a versatile and talented tight end room to power the Mountaineers' offense in 2026.