Get to know each of the West Virginia Mountaineers football commitments in the 2023 recruiting class with this feature from WVSports.com.
Committed: June 18
Covington (Ga.) Newton defensive tackle Justin Benton had a long list of scholarship offers to choose from including Georgia, USC, Florida, Florida State, Michigan State, Oregon, Penn State, Nebraska, Tennessee, North Carolina, Virginia Tech, Kentucky and LSU. The impressive defensive lineman took an official visit to Morgantown for the June 3-5 weekend and the program immediately shot up his list of options. After a few weeks, Benton elected to announce his commitment to the Mountaineers giving the program another valuable piece to the future defensive front. Defensive line coach AJ Jackson and defensive coordinator Jordan Lesley served as the lead recruiter and those bonds proved critical.
Committed: June 13
Norcross (Ga.) Meadowcreek running back Jordan Louie was a relatively new name on the West Virginia recruiting board after moving from Alabama in the off-season. His recruitment exploded with 18-scholarship offers but things picked up fast and furious between him and the West Virginia program. A versatile running back, Louie was recruited by running backs coach Chad Scott and the two developed a quick bond. After taking an official visit during the June 10 weekend he elected to announce his commitment to the Mountaineers in large part because of how comfortable he felt. Louie gives the Mountaineers a perfect complement to what Jahiem White brings.
Georgia RB Louie commits to West Virginia Mountaineers football
RB Louie blown away by West Virginia official visit
Committed: June 12
Beaufort (S.C.) defensive lineman Eamon Smalls became a priority for West Virginia on the defensive front after transforming his body over the last year. He lost close to 40-pounds and with his size made him an ideal fit for the nose guard position in the defense. He collected other offers from South Carolina and more but elected to shut down his recruitment and commit to the Mountaineers following an official visit to campus. Gives the program some much needed size on the interior.
2023 DL Smalls commits to West Virginia Mountaineers football
DT Smalls gives West Virginia official visit a perfect 10
Committed: June 12
Downingtown (Pa.) Downingtown West 2023 offensive lineman Cooper Young was offered by West Virginia early in the process but things picked up during the summer when the Mountaineers were able to see him at a camp in Washington, D.C. There was strong interest on both sides and it led to a commitment to the program following an official visit to campus during the June 10 weekend. Young picked the Mountaineers over a number of other offers and is slotted to play inside at guard or center.
2023 OL Young commits to West Virginia Mountaineers football
Committed: June 3
Camden (N.J.) 2023 pass rusher James Heard became a primary target for the West Virginia football program and made multiple visits to Morgantown. After narrowing things down to West Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee and Virginia, Heard took an official visit to Morgantown and elected to end his recruitment. The Rivals.com four-star pass rusher is coming off a season where he accounted for 37 tackles, 10.5 sacks and 19.5 tackles for loss. He is being targeted as a bandit in the West Virginia scheme and his relationship with the coaching staff namely with running backs coach Chad Scott proved to be significant in his decision-making process. Heard gives the Mountaineers another major pickup in the class at a position of need.
Rivals250 pass rusher Heard commits to West Virginia
Rivals250 pass rusher Heard walks away impressed with West Virginia
Committed: May 25
Uniontown (Pa.) Laurel Highlands 2023 wide receiver Rodney Gallagher was one of, if not the, top targets for West Virginia in the class and it was a pursuit that dates back several years in the process. Gallagher, a two-sport athlete, received an offer from the Mountaineers in both sports but will only play football in college. He garnered a long list of scholarship offers including Penn State, Pittsburgh, Notre Dame and more but ultimately decided that the family feel in Morgantown was simply too much to pass up. It was a recruiting effort from the top down with every coach involved while Gallagher made around a dozen trips to campus. Is expected to play slot receiver for West Virginia and is one of the cornerstones of the class as the highest rated pledge since 2010.
Top target Gallagher selects West Virginia Mountaineers football
Top WR Gallagher takes in West Virginia spring practice
Athlete Gallagher discusses latest with West Virginia, recruitment
Two-sport athlete Gallagher impressed with what West Virginia has to offer
Committed: April 15
Philadelphia (Pa.) St. Joseph's 2023 linebacker Josiah Trotter became a top target for West Virginia at the linebacker spot and things really only picked up further after he visited for a junior day event in February. From there, the Mountaineers surged in his recruitment and after returning yet again a few weeks later the program had become the school to beat. Committed to the Mountaineers over a long list of scholarship offers including the rest of his final five which included Clemson, Virginia Tech, Penn State and South Carolina. Was recruited by area coach Chad Scott as well as inside linebackers coach Jeff Koonz and is slated to begin his career at MIKE linebacker.
Four-star LB Trotter commits to West Virginia Mountaineers football
Committed: March 11
Fairfield (Oh.) defensive back Josiah Jackson received a scholarship offer from West Virginia in late January and made a quick turnaround visit for the Jan. 30 junior day event. That impressed him enough that he was back again for the first opportunity that he could return to campus for the March 5 junior day. Those experiences, coupled with the fact that he grew up following the program, was enough to close the door with his commitment to the Mountaineers. Jackson is being targeted as a defensive back due to his length, size and versatility and was recruited by both defensive coordinator Jordan Lesley and secondary coach ShaDon Brown. Jackson is another important cog.
DB Jackson commits to West Virginia Mountaineers football
Committed: December 20
Spartanburg (S.C.) defensive lineman Cameron Jackson is a teammate of Raheim Jeter and received a scholarship offer in November and things moved quickly from there. The 6-foot-4, 305-pounder, is still developing but possesses a skill set that is oozing with upside as he continues to figure himself out on the field. Took multiple visits to campus prior to making the call to commit to the West Virginia program.
Committed: December 20
Spartanburg (S.C.) quarterback Raheim Jeter earned an offer from West Virginia following an impressive performance at a one-day camp over the summer and things only continued to develop from there. Jeter made multiple visits to campus and developed a strong connection with the coaches which eventually led to Jeter announcing his commitment for the Mountaineers. Jeter threw for 2,979 yards 27 touchdowns and only 7 interceptions while completing 64-percent of his passes during his junior season and held offers from plenty of power five programs.
West Virginia lands 2023 QB Jeter
Coach Speak: Jeter a natural leader
Committed: December 13
York (Pa.) William Penn Senior running back Jahiem White camped with West Virginia during the summer of 2021 and received a scholarship offer from the program in November. After an impressive visit to campus for a game, White took another visit for a junior day event in December and pulled the trigger. An impressive running back option, White developed a close bond with running backs coach Chad Scott and will will at least one of the slots for a running back in this recruiting class.
West Virginia lands first 2023 commitment in RB White
Coach Speak: White an impressive player
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