Decision to commit to WVU a "no-brainer," for Chandler

Canton (Oh.) McKinley linebacker Josh Chandler didn’t have to think long about his offer from West Virginia following a strong camp performance earlier this week.

Once the 6-foot, 210-pounder, arrived home he sat down with his parents before talking with his head coach and there were no negatives about the Mountaineers.

“It was nothing but positive,” he said.

So it was then that he decided he would touch base with lead recruiter safeties coach Matt Caponi and inform him that he was ready to end his recruitment and commit to the Mountaineers.

“I texted coach Caponi and he told coach (Dana) Holgorsen and coach (Tony) Gibson. They were pretty excited about it,” he said. “It was just surreal. It was a dream come true.”

West Virginia had been a program that caught the attention of Chandler early in the process making a visit to see him during the spring evaluation period but the Mountaineers had yet to extend a scholarship offer and wanted to see him perform in a camp setting.

That happened Wednesday and the talented linebacker caught the attention of the coaches due to not only his athleticism and aggressiveness but willingness to compete in every rep.

“Coach Gibson liked my film so they wanted me to come in and show them what I was made of and get the offer,” he said. “And I did that. It was a no-brainer.”

Aside from West Virginia, Chandler had received offers from the majority of the MAC programs as well as schools such as Western Kentucky, Marshall, Air Force and Navy. However, after picking up an offer from the Mountaineers and getting a look at the campus and facilities his mind was made up.

“I just fell in love with the school and when I went there it was a positive vibe from the coaches and there is no reason why I shouldn’t,” he said.

West Virginia is slotting Chandler as a linebacker at the next level although he did see some work as a safety throughout the course of the camp.

Chandler plans to sign his letter of intent with West Virginia in December and is looking to enroll early in Morgantown in order to get a head start on his college career. He is currently on track to do that and speaking with the coaches that is something that both parties are interested in happening.

The linebacker is the seventh overall commitment for West Virginia and the first at his position in this cycle. Overall, he becomes the fourth pledge on the defensive side of the ball.

Chandler now plans to shut down his recruitment and focus on his future in Morgantown.

“I’m happy with West Virginia,” he said.