As reported by Locked On West Virginia, the men’s basketball team from West Virginia has contacted an SEC player who logged significant playing time on a squad that made it to the 2025 Final Four.
A media member from West Virginia, known as ‘Mountaineer Paul,’ shared on the Locked On West Virginia podcast Friday night that Auburn freshman forward Jahki Howard, who entered the transfer portal earlier this week, has received inquiries from the Mountaineers regarding his transfer.
Howard was a 4-star recruit in the Class of 2024, yet he served primarily as a bench player on a stacked Auburn team that reached the Final Four this season before losing in the postseason to the eventual National Champion Florida.
Howard played 21 games for Auburn last season and averaged 9.1 minutes each game. He recorded 4.2 points and 1.1 rebounds per game last year, concluding with a spectacular alley-oop play against Monmouth during non-conference play.
Howard achieved a national ranking in the Top 100 of his recruiting class, averaging 15.1 points and 5.4 rebounds per game. He also claimed the title in the 2024 King’s Hawaiian National Slam Dunk Championship during his senior year of high school.
In November, Howard found himself at the heart of an early-season dispute after getting into a confrontation with teammate Ja’Heim Hudson during a team flight to Houston for a non-conference matchup. The incident led to the plane returning to the airport, and neither player flew to the Houston game after the flight resumed — however, both players stayed with the team.
“I have constraints on what I can express, but it was a regrettable situation, and we are confronting it directly; it’s somewhat of a continuing process,” Auburn Head Coach Bruce Pearl stated during the Field of 68 podcast at that moment. “I believe that’s the most effective way for me to handle it.”
Howard’s potential move to West Virginia could represent a turning point for both the player and the program. While his time at Auburn was limited in terms of minutes and stats, the talent that made him a four-star recruit is still very much intact. WVU, in a rebuilding phase under new leadership and direction, is seeking to add athleticism, size, and experience from high-major programs — and Howard checks all three boxes.
At 6-foot-6 with explosive leaping ability, Howard brings a level of physicality and flair that could immediately energize the Mountaineers’ rotation. His high school accolades — including his national slam dunk title — point to the kind of upside that often flourishes with the right system and opportunity. While he may not have had a breakout freshman year, that is not unusual on a loaded Auburn squad that often leaned on veterans and deeper talent during their postseason run.
West Virginia’s interest comes at a crucial time, as the program seeks to recover from a turbulent 2024-25 season. With changes to the coaching staff and an aggressive push in the transfer portal, the Mountaineers are looking to re-establish themselves in the Big 12 and return to national relevance. A player like Howard could be instrumental in that quest, especially if he finds a better fit and a clearer path to playing time in Morgantown.
Sources close to the situation say Howard is weighing several options, including a possible return to Auburn, but the growing attention from programs like WVU may sway his decision. The transfer portal has become a vital tool in today’s college basketball landscape, especially for young players looking to reset their careers after a tough start or limited role. In Howard’s case, a change of scenery could offer a fresh beginning and an opportunity to showcase the potential that made him a top recruit.
For WVU, the recruitment of Howard is part of a broader strategy aimed at landing high-upside players with elite athletic traits who may have been underutilized at their previous schools. It’s a trend increasingly seen across Power 5 programs — betting on transfers with strong recruiting pedigrees and hoping that new environments help unlock their full games.
The program’s contact with Howard also reflects its renewed emphasis on perimeter athleticism and transition scoring — two areas where Howard could thrive. Known for his highlight-reel finishes and energy plays, Howard has the tools to become a fan favorite if he can bring consistency and maturity to his game. His brief moments of brilliance at Auburn, including the eye-catching alley-oop against Monmouth, showed flashes of what he can deliver.
The incident involving teammate Ja’Heim Hudson remains part of his narrative, but sources suggest Howard has taken steps to move past the controversy. With both players staying on the Auburn roster after the incident, it’s clear the coaching staff did not view the conflict as a long-term disqualifier. However, situations like these are often defining moments for young players, and the way Howard navigates this next phase of his career could say a lot about his growth both on and off the court.
Should he land at WVU, Howard would join a team hungry to bounce back and eager to make a mark in the ever-competitive Big 12. It would also provide Head Coach (insert current WVU coach name) with a young, motivated player who has tasted success at the highest levels and is looking to contribute in a bigger way.
With the NCAA transfer portal continuing to be a major influence in shaping rosters each offseason, this recruitment will be one to watch. For now, West Virginia fans can take note that their program is actively engaging with high-profile targets — and Jahki Howard represents both a risk and a potential reward that could pay off in a big way down the line.
More updates are expected in the coming weeks as Howard narrows his list and potentially schedules visits. Until then, WVU’s early interest shows they are not backing down in the race to rebuild quickly and inject top-tier talent into their lineup.
