MORGANTOWN – One of the best specialists in West Virginia now has the opportunity to remain in the Mountain State and represent the Mountaineers.
University High School punter, Jimmy Gregg, the top-rated punter in the 2026 class, announced his scholarship offer to play Division-I football for head coach Rich Rodriguez and WVU.
“This means the world to me,” Gregg said on Friday. “This opportunity isn’t something everyone gets and being able to go to school because of my ability on the field is special. Every school that contacts me means a lot to me, but this is my home and that makes it a little bit sweeter.”
Jimmy is being actively recruited by multiple high-major schools, including Purdue, Louisville, Ole Miss, NC State, Syracuse and Ohio State.
Gregg says growing up a Mountaineer fan and being able to don the uniform that other WVU specialist’s have, like former WVU and NFL specialist Pat McAfee, gives him motivation to leave his own legacy among the special teams unit at WVU.
“McAfee is the only punter Coach Rodriguez had ever offered a scholarship to before now, and that was a pretty cool fact to hear when I was told,” he said. “I’m a big fan of Pat’s of course, but not only for his punting. He’s just a great person and ambassador for the WVU program. His journey is a great example of where hard work can take you. That said, I want to write my own story and do my thing.”
Jimmy says he realized he had the ability to take his kicking to the next level around the summer between his freshman and sophomore season’s with UHS.
“When I first began punting it was mainly because I simply had the leg for it,” he said. “Then it started growing into something bigger and my coach at the time, Donnie Tucker, told me he thought I could have a future in it. I thought it through and contacted some trainers and got to work. I’ve been blessed with some amazing coaches and people.”
Another thing Jimmy says he’s excited for is to follow in the footsteps of his cousin and uncle, who each played college sports on scholarship.
“My cousin is currently playing soccer at Furman and my uncle played at Marrietta,” he said. “Having the ability to do the things that someone you’ve looked up to does means a lot. This is something I’ve worked hard for and something I know will benefit me beyond the field.”
Gregg says he predicts a decision regarding his commitment sometimes over the summer.
