Advertisement
Published Jan 16, 2025
West Virginia Mountaineers: Commitment 101: Keenan Eck
circle avatar
Keenan Cummings  •  WVSports
Managing Editor
Twitter
@rivalskeenan

The West Virginia football program has added another commitment from the junior college ranks with a pledge from Glendora (Ca.) Citrus College edge Keenan Eck.

Eck, 6-foot-3, 225-pounds, emerged on the West Virginia radar after head coach Rich Rodriguez took over with bandits coach Jeff Casteel and defensive assistant Jake Casteel serving as his lead recruiters.

The California native received a scholarship offer from the Mountaineers Jan. 11 after he was scheduled to take an official visit the day before to get a look at Morgantown.

Advertisement

Eck spent this past season at Citrus College where he recorded 26 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss and 6 sacks. Prior to that, he was at Black Hills State and recorded 13 tackles and 8.5 sacks along with 4 forced fumbles.

Eck is being targeted as a boundary side edge or linebacker in the West Virginia scheme and the coaching staff was impressed with his athleticism as well as his coverage ability.

He has two seasons of eligibility remaining in his college career and joins Wyoming transfer defensive end Braden Siders as pass rushing additions.

WVSports.com breaks down the commitment of Eck and what it means to the West Virginia Mountaineers football program both now and in the future.

Skill set:

Eck is a quick linebacker that can use his speed to get under or around offensive tackles when coming off the edge. Possesses a good first step which allows him to defeat blockers and is at his best when rushing the passer off the edge. Has the versatility to put his hand in the dirt or line up as a standup option.

Eck displays good pursuit in the run game and can get downhill in a hurry. Plays with a high energy level and often contacts the ball carriers like he is shot out of a cannon. Has to be crafty with his pass rushing given his lack of size, but in college he will likely not be a true defensive lineman.

Like most pass rushers, Eck will need to play with better leverage but overall, the skill set is one that presents a lot to like out of the junior college prospect.

info icon
Embed content not availableManage privacy settings

Fitting the program:

Eck is a versatile linebacker that will be used in a hybrid pass rushing and coverage role in the West Virginia scheme. At this point of the off-season, the Mountaineers must replace both of their hybrid pass rushers from last season due to graduation and the other options on the roster are relatively unproven.

That makes Eck an important piece just given the fact that he’s already spent two years at the college level, albeit at a lower level than what he will be required to go against in the Big 12.

California hasn’t been a hotbed for West Virginia over the years, but the Mountaineers have landed players from the junior college ranks and have had success in the past. At worst, Eck will provide a veteran presence that can help the adjustment at his position and provide valuable depth. At best, the Mountaineers could have uncovered a hidden gem that could make an impact given his overall skill set.

Recruiting the position:

Eck fills a need for West Virginia as a seasoned pass rusher that also has the ability to handle the responsibilities in coverage at the position. The Mountaineers have been active in targeting pieces to fill out the roster and Eck gives the program a versatile linebacker. Still, even with the addition at this point it’s impossible to close the door on almost any position on the roster in terms of recruiting with how much change has unfolded with the roster. That makes it possible for West Virginia to target another at this spot, especially a veteran proven player that has already done it at the FBS level.

----------

• Talk about it with West Virginia fans on The Blue Lot.

SUBSCRIBE today to stay up on the latest on Mountaineer sports and recruiting.

• Get all of our WVU videos on YouTube by subscribing to the WVSports.com Channel

• Follow us on Twitter: @WVSportsDotCom, @rivalskeenan, @wesleyshoe

•Like us on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok

Advertisement