WVU adds Dowdy

West Virginia added another commitment Sunday after Westerville (Oh.) offensive tackle Rob Dowdy pledged to the Mountaineers following a weekend official visit.

Dowdy, 6-foot-5, 296-pounds, selected West Virginia over offers from Pittsburgh, N.C. State, Kentucky, Arkansas, Michigan State, Rutgers, Miami and several more programs. The offensive lineman had long considered West Virginia including making an unofficial visit over the summer, but surprisingly committed to Pittsburgh Sept. 1 following an unofficial visit to check out the Panthers.

That didn't stop West Virginia from continuing their pursuit and after the coaching change in Pittsburgh Dowdy elected to open his recruitment and the Mountaineers ramped up their efforts. Last week, the Rivals.com three-star was visited by head coach Dana Holgorsen and offensive line coach Ron Crook and the visit went well resulting in setting this past weekend's official visit.

"It went really well," said Dowdy at the time. "Coach Holgorsen came and he really just strengthened my belief that they're going to be a really good team next year."

The persistence of the West Virginia coaching staff was one of the key factors for Dowdy as schools entered and exited his recruitment, the Mountaineers were one of the consistent options from start to finish. West Virginia was in need of an offensive tackle prospect in this class and found it in the Ohio senior.

"It speaks volumes about how much they want me and just their investment in me," Dowdy said. "If they're willing to put that much time in before I even go there, I know they would be willing to put in even more if I was there."

Crook served as the lead recruiter for Dowdy, who doesn't have any additional visits set for the remainder of his recruitment. Dowdy is ranked as a 5.7 three-star recruit and the 58th best offensive tackle in the nation according to Rivals.com.

Dowdy becomes the fourth offensive line commitment for West Virginia in the class of 2015 joining Hubbard (Oh.) offensive guard Matthew Jones, Glades Central (Fla.) offensive lineman Jah'Shaun Seider and Belmont (Oh.) Union Local offensive tackle Colton McKivitz

WVSports.com will have more on the commitment of Dowdy.