MORGANTOWN — It didn’t take long for West Virginia to add its first transfer player of the cycle.

UT-Permian Basin defensive lineman Will LeBlanc reportedly has committed to the Mountaineers just one day after the transfer portal opened on Jan. 2, according to 247Sports’ Chris Hummer. LeBlanc chose WVU over NC State and Wisconsin, who he planned to visit.

LeBlanc had a productive final year with the Falcons. The 6-foot-5 lineman had 32 tackles, five tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks and four quarterback hits as a redshirt freshman. LeBlanc is listed as a 3-star in the portal and 96th-rated D-lineman, according to 247Sports, coming out of Division II. LeBlanc adds some serious size to the defensive line and should be with the Mountaineers for years to come, with three years of eligibility left.

The addition of LeBlanc should be the first of many transfer additions for Rodriguez and his staff. Rodriguez said he wasn’t going to add too many players this year, and nowhere near last year, but there have been a lot more players to leave WVU, entering the portal. Rodriguez does have a large high school class coming in, 49 players, but it’s hard to compete with a bunch of freshmen.

LeBlanc helps out on the defensive line, adding some experience, especially after losing three impact players. Long-time defensive lineman Hammond Russell announced he was leaving, along with Asani Redwood. Russell had a strong start to the season, with two sacks, before missing most of the season with an injury. Redwood had a tackle for loss in limited time.