How does West Virginia fill out the 2024 class needs with recruiting?
West Virginia has 29 current commitments in the 2024 recruiting class so how will the coaching staff go about filling the rest of the remaining slots?
The Mountaineers had a big summer on the recruiting trail but there are still needs left to fill. Which ones take priority with the remaining slots?
The Mountaineers have already filled the need at quarterback with Upper Marlboro (Md.) Wise 2024 quarterback Khalil Wilkins, two running backs in Gahanna (Oh.) Lincoln 2024 running back Diore Hubbard and Aiken (S.C.) Midland Valley 2024 running back Traevon Dunbar, five wide receivers in Oklahoma State transfer Jaden Bray, Melbourne (Fla.) Central Catholic 2024 wide receiver Ric'Darious Farmer, Philadelphia (Pa.) St. Joseph's 2024 wide receiver Brandon Rehmann, Jefferson (W.Va.) 2024 athlete Keyshawn Robinson, and Princeton (W.Va.) 2024 athlete Dom Collins, one tight end in Cincinnati (Oh.) Walnut Hills 2024 tight end Jack Sammarco, three offensive linemen in Olney (Md.) Good Counsel 2024 offensive lineman Kyle Altuner, Sterling (Il.) 2024 offensive lineman Lucas Austin and Pickerington (Oh.) Pickerington Central 2024 offensive lineman Justin Terry.
On the defensive side, up front West Virginia has commitments from five in Troy defensive lineman TJ Jackson, Upper Marlboro (Md.) Flowers 2024 defensive end Obinna Onwuka, Midlothian (Va.) Manchester 2024 defensive end Makai Byerson, Oradell (N.J.) Bergen Catholic 2024 defensive end Elijah Kinsler and Auburndale (Fla.) 2024 defensive lineman Nate Gabriel, one pass rusher in Gardner-Webb transfer Ty French, three linebackers in Ohio State transfer Reid Carrico, Akron (Oh.) Hoban 2024 linebacker Rickey Williams and Barboursville (W.Va.) Cabell Midland 2024 linebacker Curtis Jones, four safeties in Louisville transfer Josh Minkins, Cincinnati (Oh.) Colerain 2024 athlete Zae Jennings, Douglasville (Ga.) Douglas County 2024 safety Israel Boyce and Pittsburgh (Pa.) Bishop Canevin 2024 safety Jason Cross and four cornerbacks in Colorado State transfer TJ Crandall, Duquesne transfer Ayden Garnes Dunnellon (Fla.) 2024 athlete Chris Henry and Waldorf (Md.) St. Charles 2024 defensive back Keyon Washington.
Related: West Virginia has plan in place for changing defense
On the offensive side of the ball, West Virginia has filled the need for a prep quarterback in the 2024 class with Wilkins in the fold. The program could look at transfers down the line but shouldn't need another from the high school ranks.
The same can be said at running back with both Hubbard and Dunbar in the fold.
At wide receiver, West Virginia could look at one option if it's a can't-miss type but the Mountaineers should be done with five in the fold.
Tight end should be filled at the high school level with Sammarco in the fold but the Mountaineers are looking to add an athletic inside option that can fill a role at tight end from the transfer market with multiple years left.
The offensive line needs at least one more tackle type to fill out the position which would come from the transfer ranks.
That leaves around 1-2 spots to fill on the offensive side of things.
On the defensive line, West Virginia is likely searching for at least one more with five commitments in the fold from Jackson, Onwuka, Byerson, Kinsler and Gabriel. There is always the chance that another could be added as an edge body type that but the program has a good mix of different body types.
With French in the fold, the program also has addressed the need as pass rusher through the transfer portal.
Linebacker has a nice group with Carrico, Williams and Jones in the mix but West Virginia will be looking to add at least one more if possible.
West Virginia has already added four safeties in this class in Minkins, Jennings, Cross and Boyce but is looking for an experienced piece or two in the backend to round things out.
At cornerback expect the Mountaineers to explore the possibility of another option to go with what the program already has in the fold with Crandall, Garnes, Henry and Washington.
That puts the total number of scholarships around 4-5 in order to round things out on the defensive side for the Mountaineers in this cycle.
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