Arizona picked up another wide receiver in the transfer portal — and it's from a Big 12 opponent that the Wildcats face in 2026.
Former West Virginia wide receiver Rodney Gallagher III committed to Arizona after three seasons at WVU. Gallagher will have one year of eligibility.
Gallagher grew up in Uniontown, Pennsylvania — a small town near the Pennsylvania-West Virginia border — and signed with the Mountaineers in 2023 following a productive career at Laurel Highlands High School.
Gallagher was a four-star prospect and was recruited as a receiver and defensive back. The 5-10, 180-pound Gallagher signed with WVU over Michigan, Oregon, Cincinnati, Nebraska, Penn State and Texas, among others.
In three years at West Virginia, Gallagher had 64 receptions for 605 yards and three touchdowns. Gallagher had the second-most receptions (28) for the Mountaineers this past season.
When West Virginia beat Arizona, 31-16, in Tucson in 2024, Gallagher had two catches for 14 yards and had a season-high 21 rushing yards.
Gallagher and USC's DJ Jordan are Arizona's two additions at wide receiver in the transfer portal. Jordan was also a highly touted recruited as a Los Angeles-area product and Sierra Canyon High School product.
After redshirting his freshman season, the 5-11, 175-pound Jordan had five catches for 38 yards in his second season at USC.
The Wildcats are losing their top two receivers in Kris Hutson and Javin Whatley, who combined for 1,250 yards and nine touchdowns, to graduation. Arizona is losing veteran wide receiver Luke Wysong.
Arizona returns its third-leading receiver in redshirt junior Tre Spivey, along with redshirt senior Chris Hunter, sophomores Gio Richardson and Isaiah Mizell and third-year receiver Brandon Phelps.
Arizona signed four-star Northern California wide receiver RJ Mosley, who is the Wildcats' highest-rated recruit in the 2026 recruiting class, according to 247Sports.com.
Gallagher is the third Mountaineer to sign with the Wildcats in the last two seasons. Former WVU defensive back Ayden Garnes was a mainstay in Arizona's defense in 2025, and the Wildcats recently added Australian punter Chase Ridley.
The 6-2, 233-pound Perth, Australia native initially signed to play for former Arizona head coach Rich Rodriguez at West Virginia, but was granted release from WVU and signed with the Wildcats. Ridley, who is the third Australian punter to play for Arizona in as many years, will start his UA career as a true freshman.
Arizona had Australia native Isaac Lovison at punter last season. Lovison, who's out of eligibility, was ninth in the Big 12 in punting average (42.6) during his lone season in Tucson. The Wildcats also had Lachlan Bruce on the 2024 roster, but the Aussie didn't appear in any games.
Ridley joins Arizona via the ProKick Australia program that has produced several NFL punters, including Mitch Wishnowsky, Michael Dickson, Cameron Johnston and Lou Hedley, among others. Lovison, who was one of the first additions since the hiring of Arizona special teams coordinator Craig Naivar last year.
The Wildcats trek to Morgantown for Big 12 play in 2026, which is also their first game against Rodriguez since he was fired following the 2017 season.
Find out the latest updates on Arizona football's activity in the transfer portal with the Star's tracker on Tucson.com and The Wildcaster mobile app.
