McKoy pledge comes with fireworks

The West Virginia recruiting class experienced some fireworks of its own Saturday when Lexington (N.C.) North Davidson running back Kennedy McKoy offered up his verbal commitment to the Mountaineers football program on Independence Day.

McKoy, 6-foot, 190-pounds, selected West Virginia over his four other finalists North Carolina, North Carolina State, Virginia and Louisville.

"Proud to say I am officially committed to West Virginia University," he said.

The Rivals.com three-star prospect had become a priority for the West Virginia coaches after visiting Morgantown for the first junior day in January and that persistence proved to be one of the main contributing factors in his decision.

During that first visit to Morgantown, McKoy was able to tour the campus as well as sitting down with the coaching staff and going over their plan to utilize him in the West Virginia offense.

"I loved it. I loved everything about it. The school, the coaches. I love what they plan to do in the future," McKoy said following his initial visit to campus.

Running backs coach JaJuan Seider and wide receivers coach Lonnie Galloway serve as the lead recruiters for McKoy and the assistants developed a close relationship with the talented running back throughout the course of the process.

"I stay in touch with them and have good talks with them," McKoy said. "They both tell me I can be an impact player and help the team right away."

A versatile running back prospect, on film as well as in person McKoy displays the ability to handle the ball out of the backfield, as well as being a very skilled pass-catcher out of the backfield that could even see time in the slot at the college level. Last season he rushed for over 2,000 yards and 24 touchdowns.

Aside from his five finalists, McKoy also garnered offers from Boston College, Vanderbilt and Wake Forest, among several others.

McKoy becomes the 15th overall commitment for West Virginia in the class of 2016 and the second running back after Detroit (Mi.) Martin Luther King athlete Martell Pettaway pledged to the Mountaineers a little over a week ago.

WVSports.com will have more on this breaking news including a full interview with McKoy.