Cleveland (Oh.) Benedictine 2026 defensive lineman Tyrell O'Neal had been in contact with West Virginia for several weeks but made the decision to come to campus to get a first-hand look at the school.
O’Neal, 6-foot-3, 270-pounds, was impressed with the atmosphere overall but was excited when he found out that the Mountaineers were jumping into the mix with a scholarship offer.
Recruiting coordinator Trey Neyer gave him the good news and he was thankful to add the Big 12 Conference program to his list that also includes schools such as Illinois and Toledo.
“It was a great atmosphere down there. The team has great chemistry and gets each other hype,” he said.
O’Neal had been in contact with defensive line coach AJ Jackson and the visit to Morgantown gave him the chance to get a better idea on how he would fit into the program.
“They’re recruiting me for the defensive end and three tech spot,” he said.
The Mountaineers have been impressed with his ability to rush inside as well as outside with his combination of both size and athleticism along the defensive line.
“I’m able to stay flat down the line, shed blocks and give tremendous pass rushes,” he said.
The trip to West Virginia isn’t expected to be the last for O’Neal who is looking on returning for another visit to get an even better look at the program once the season is over and he also is heading to check out places such as Michigan State, Cincinnati and Eastern Michigan.
Given the fact he is a 2026 prospect, there is no timeline on when a possible decision will be made with his recruitment, but he wants to find the best overall fit on and off the field.
“I look for how comfortable I am in certain programs, and I want to feel welcome,” he said.
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