Richmond Hills (Ga.) wide receiver Sam James has been a top target for West Virginia since early in the process and the Mountaineers were able to land a commitment from the explosive athlete.

James, 6-foot-1, 160-pounds, selected West Virginia over the rest of his finalists including Mississippi State, Maryland and Cincinnati. The three-star prospect took visits to each of those programs during the summer and decided on the Mountaineers after weighing his options.

The Rivals.com three-star prospect held offers from a long-list of programs including South Carolina, Missouri, Louisville, Wake Forest and Kansas outside his top four. James is coming off a season where he hauled in 46 passes for 913 yards and six touchdowns as well as winning a state title in the 400.

Cornerbacks coach Doug Belk served as the lead recruiter for Belk since taking the post at West Virginia and prioritized the explosive wide receiver. Wide receivers coach Tyron Carrier also played a pivotal role in the process bonding with the senior when he came to Morgantown for an unofficial visit in June.