West Virginia received its third commitment in the class of 2017 when Plantation (Fla.) American Heritage running back Alec Sinkfield pledged to the Mountaineers Thursday.

Sinkfield, 5-foot-10, 180-pounds, choose the Mountaineers after being visited by running backs coach JaJuan Seider at his school and the versatile athlete is being targeted in the backfield.

"Yes I committed today," he said.

The explosive athlete choose West Virginia over offers Miami (Fla.), Pittsburgh, Kentucky, Purdue, Syracuse and Illinois, among others. The Mountaineers have been a school high on the list for the Rivals.com three-star prospect since early in the process and was first offered by West Virginia in December and he built a close bond with Seider throughout the process.

Sinkfield also was highly interested in the way that West Virginia has used athlete of similar size in the offense and how he could be used both running the ball and catching passes out of the backfield in the air raid scheme.

The Florida native is the third commitment for West Virginia in the class of 2017 behind Morgantown (W.Va.) linebacker Maverick Wolfley and New Orleans (La.) Landry-Walker athlete Tevin Bush. Sinkfield joins Bush as possible backfield options in the class.

WVSports.com will have more with Sinkfield.

PREMIUM LINK: Behind the scenes on the commitment of Alec Sinkfield

PREMIUM LINK: Examining the commitment of Alec Sinkfield