WVU adds athletic tight end O'Laughlin

West Virginia had been in search of a versatile pass-catcher in the 2018 recruiting class and the Mountaineers filled that need with a pledge from Oak Park (Il.) Fenwick athlete Mike O’Laughlin.

“I’ve decided to continue my academic and athletic career at West Virginia University,” he wrote when announcing his commitment.

O’Laughlin, 6-foot-5, 215-pounds, is being targeted as a tight end that could move around the formation to create mismatches and the Mountaineers became the first power five program to extend an offer.

He also had received scholarships from Cincinnati, Western Michigan, Central Michigan, Ball State and Toledo, while receiving interest from a number of others including Iowa.

Dan Gerberry initially extended the scholarship offer and O’Laughlin made a visit to Morgantown Friday in order to get an up-close and personal look with the campus and the plan the coaches had for him.

“He told me he wants players that are willing to block, flex out a little bit and play a lot of positions. They want a guy that can do that,” he said. “He asked me if I could be that guy and I can for sure.”

During that trip he was able to sit down with both head coach Dana Holgorsen as well as offensive coordinator Jake Spavital and as soon as he left campus he felt he had his mind made up when it came to his recruitment.

"I know what the coaches are trying to do and they have a plan. I love the coaches and their personalities as well as the offense. I talked with Coach Spavital, coach Holgorsen and coach Gerberry about everything and they are very happy with the decision and so am I," he said. "I called them and told them I want to win a Big 12 Championship."

O’Laughlin is best described as a downfield threat with the athleticism to beat linebackers and the size to catch the ball over smaller defensive backs.

This past season he recorded 54 catches for 939 yards and 8 touchdowns earning first-team all-state honors in Illinois. He also plays basketball as well.

The tight end is the first commitment for West Virginia at the position in the 2018 class and the third pledge overall joining a pair of defensive linemen in Bethel Park (Pa.) defensive lineman James Gmiter and Paintsville (Ky.) defensive lineman Tyrese Allen.

WVSports.com will have more with O’Laughlin in the near future.