QB Situation:
First and foremost, four star quarterback Denver (NC) East Lincoln Logan Byrd earlier this week has forced Surratt to look elsewhere. In this case it likely won't be WVU as Surratt said Vanderbilt and Duke were standing out and it is suspected a verbal pledge to Duke will be made in the coming weeks.
Per Rivals own Mike Singer Channelview (Tx.) quarterback Jalen Hurts, WVU other four star quarterback uncommitted offer, visited Mississippi State this weekend.
The good news at signal caller came from Graham (NC) quarterback Jamie Newman. Newman echoed what he told me after West Virginia's last junior day event that he was looking to break down his final group in late April and make a spring commitment when he told Keenan......
QB Jamie Newman has made two trips out of state to West Virginia and Vanderbilt and while he hasn't claimed any favorites he really likes what the Mountaineers offer in terms of offense and how he fit into the program. He plans to make his decision in Mid-May.
The feeling amongst the WVSport.com staff is that WVU has an excellent shot at Newman and the Surratt commitment could go a long way in helping the Mountaineers. Today Newman looked very sharp. He was hurrying his throws at time but you could tell he has a big arm. He is an athlete and looks like a linebacker but there is no mistaking that he isn't a run first quarterback. Newman has a nice follow through with his throws and has the ball has nice zip as it comes out of his hand with what appears to be very little effort. He is every bit of his report 6-foot-4 but I'd say he is closer to 230 than 215. I'm not kidding when I say we thought he was a linebacker. WVSports.com will have more with Newman in a video interview from today's camp.
No shows:
Gastonia (NC) Forestview running back Emmanuel Jones.
Pittsburgh connections in Charlotte:
One player who showed up but didn't participate was Charlotte (NC) South Mecklenburg defensive end Zack Gilbert. The son of NFL defensive tackle Sean Gilbert almost ruined his relationship with his favorite Rivals personality by sporting a Pitt sweatshirt but redeemed himself after saying that WVU was definitely a player for his recruitment, even talking about WVU with other Mountaineers offers later in the day. Zack looked in great shape and his 241 listed weight must have been during his seventh grade year. He will likley follow in his fathers footsteps in playing defensive tackle and he will have no problem putting on the needed weight.
One Gilbert who did participate in today's festivities was Fayetteville (NC) Terry Sanford defensive back Mark Gilbert. Zack's cousin took an unofficial visit to West Virginia this past Friday. He told our own Senior Staff writer Keenan Cummings.....
CB Mark Gilbert told me that he loved his visit to West Virginia a couple days ago and told me that he got a special feeling
while he was on campus. Even with the connections to Pitt he's keeping all of his options open and would like to return to Morgantown.
Gilbert looked smooth all day. Even at 6-foot-2 (possibly 6-foot-3), Gilbert has great hips and shows great lateral quickness. He is capable of playing physical and showed it a few time today but I was more impressed with how quickly he was able to break on the ball. He has obviously been well coached to this point but has great size to go along with some nice athletic ability. WVSports.com will have more with Mark in a video interview from today's camp.
Keeping up with the Washingtons:
Huntersville (NC) Southlake Christian Academy running back Aapri Washington will be in Morgantown that day to take in the Mountaineers spring game. The younger Washington spoke very highly of WVU wide receivers coach Lonnie Galloway and said they have built a strong relationship and Washington feels that they have bonded more than just coach to player. He is excited about the possibilities of being pushed by coach Galloway and coach Mitchell to make him a better player and a better person. While Washington isn't willing to say any school is sticking out, its been long rumored that Washington is a WVU fan and you would have to like where the Mountaineers stand in his recruitment. I suspect Washington may be joined by quite a few state of North Carolina prospects as they make their way to Morgantown in two weeks. I'll have more on that in a moment.
As far as his play, Washington is a smaller, quicker corner who has amazing explosion. He showed good lateral movement and change of direction ability as he would cut in front of a breaking receiver for multiple interceptions during drills. During one on ones, Washington showed he could stay step for step with the faster receivers but on two occasions the little man broke up passes against much bigger receivers as they tried to out muscle him.
More realistic options at running back:
Lexington (NC) North Davidson running back Kennedy McKoy once again talked up West Virginia to Keenan telling him.....
RB Kennedy McKoy has West Virginia in his top three and told me that he really likes the offense and how he could fit into it at the next level. He has a great relationship with the coaches and will be coming back for another trip.
McKoy looked very good during the running back drills but I walked away very impressed with his hands. I was thinking at 190, McKoy could be a bigger back but he didn't look like he was very thick and appeared leaner than in his film. Still he ran really solid routes out of the backfield and showed great hands. The linebackers and defensive backs were deep in North Carolina today and McKoy was able to shine in his limited reps. WVSports.com will have more with Kennedy in a video interview from today's camp.
Along with McKoy, Durham (NC) Southern Durham running back Jovon Brown was in attendance today. Brown was very explosive and you could tell he step in and play slot at the next level. In fact, Brown told me that he is very interested in playing that hybrid position where he could play slot and get a few carries either in the backfield or on end arounds. While Brown hasn't heard from the Mountaineer staff in a few months he is still very interested in WVU and says he really thinks he could fit what head coach Dana Holgorsen is trying to do. Brown ended up being thicker than I expected. I was thinking he would be a similar build to his teammate and one time WVU commit William Cameron but Brown appears to have a nice base to biuld off of and I wouldn't be shocked to see him play in the 190 range in college.
Big Time Ends:
Charlotte (NC) Mallard Creek defensive end Josh Brown has been a FSU commit since last year but has a strong relationship with the Mountaineer staff and still calls West Virginia home. It may be a difficult pull for WVU even if Brown decommits from Florida State. SEC teams Tennessee, Alabama and LSU have recently thrown their hats into the ring for Brown's services. It is easy to see why so many traditional blue bloods like Brown. I was thinking he was a bit undersized but that notion was quickly destroyed as Brown was every bit of his reported size, maybe even bigger. The Rivals four star worked with the linebackers and he looked fluid coverage but obviously his strength is his length and speed (explosion) off the edge. Josh told Keenan.........
DE Josh Brown still is committed to Florida State but really likes West Virginia and enjoyed his visit to Morgantown. It was
the first time he had visited as a recruit after growing up a fan of the program but is keeping his options open.
Ashboro (NC) defensive end Nick Coe looked the part. He isn't 6-foot-6, closer to 6-foot-4 but he is the real deal. He was flat out dominate coming off the edge but you can tell he is still a little raw. He is extremely quick and strong. There is a saying that you want to have your most intimidating player step off the bus first to strike fear in your opponent. Coe would be that guy. Nick told Keenan.........
DE Nick Coe has visited West Virginia before but plans on coming back for another trip sometime this summer or during the fall. Coe isn't anywhere close to a decision and is really taking his time but he has a great relationship with coach Galloway.
We were really hoping to get a chance to see Coe's teammate Emmanuel Jones and maybe a better idea of where the Ashboro duo might end up. WVSports.com will have more with Nick in a video interview from today's camp.
Recruiting bigger safeties:
West Virgina has had some success recruiting taller safeties in the past. It appears with an offer to Fayetteville (NC) Terry Sanford safety Isaiah Stallings hey are trying to capture that magic again. Stallings appeared that he needed to grow into his height a little more (easily 6-foot-4) but was very smooth during one on ones and looked like he had the quickness and hips to play corner. Isaiah told Keenan........
FS Isaiah Stallings told me that coaches really like his range and he is every bit of 6-foot-3. Stallings plans to visit West
Virginia this summer.
Another defenisve back with an offer from the Mountaineers there was Teachey (NC) Wallace Rose Hill Keyshawn Canady. Keenan had an update from the recent offer and we will have more from him in a video interview later on.
2017 WR's impress:
Mountaineer wide receiver's coach Lonnie Galloway has all ready extended offers to 2017 prospects Waxhaw (NC) Cuthberson Ryan Jones. Both North Carolina players could be amongst the best at their position for the class of 2017. At 6-foot-3 and over 200-pounds, Cauthen looked like a man amongst boys today. He was physical, quick and showed flashes of top end speed. He is still very raw at route running and tends to try and over power defenders, he has excellent hands and catches the ball at the highest point. Jones is the finesse to Cautherns raw strength. The Charlotte area receiver moved fluidly as he continuously juked out defender and on more than one occasion made an acrobatic catch that left spectators screaming. For being only 15 years old Jones has the best balance and control I have seen in a high school receiver live. He has excellent hands and good speed.
Maybe the best for last:
OK, maybe not best but certainly the most interesting. Charlotte (NC) Independence defensive tackle Tre Harbinson, Zack Gilbert and Robert Washington. Harbinson recently committed to Virginia so the Mountaineers may not be able to land the entire group, it appears they are in good standing of landing a few of this powerful Tarheel group and perhaps some additional friends and family (Aapri Washington, Mark Gilbert, Isaiah Stallings)
This post was edited on 4/12 10:22 PM by AnthonyKrumpach
This post was edited on 4/13 7:34 AM by AnthonyKrumpach
First and foremost, four star quarterback Denver (NC) East Lincoln Logan Byrd earlier this week has forced Surratt to look elsewhere. In this case it likely won't be WVU as Surratt said Vanderbilt and Duke were standing out and it is suspected a verbal pledge to Duke will be made in the coming weeks.
Per Rivals own Mike Singer Channelview (Tx.) quarterback Jalen Hurts, WVU other four star quarterback uncommitted offer, visited Mississippi State this weekend.
The good news at signal caller came from Graham (NC) quarterback Jamie Newman. Newman echoed what he told me after West Virginia's last junior day event that he was looking to break down his final group in late April and make a spring commitment when he told Keenan......
QB Jamie Newman has made two trips out of state to West Virginia and Vanderbilt and while he hasn't claimed any favorites he really likes what the Mountaineers offer in terms of offense and how he fit into the program. He plans to make his decision in Mid-May.
The feeling amongst the WVSport.com staff is that WVU has an excellent shot at Newman and the Surratt commitment could go a long way in helping the Mountaineers. Today Newman looked very sharp. He was hurrying his throws at time but you could tell he has a big arm. He is an athlete and looks like a linebacker but there is no mistaking that he isn't a run first quarterback. Newman has a nice follow through with his throws and has the ball has nice zip as it comes out of his hand with what appears to be very little effort. He is every bit of his report 6-foot-4 but I'd say he is closer to 230 than 215. I'm not kidding when I say we thought he was a linebacker. WVSports.com will have more with Newman in a video interview from today's camp.
No shows:
Gastonia (NC) Forestview running back Emmanuel Jones.
Pittsburgh connections in Charlotte:
One player who showed up but didn't participate was Charlotte (NC) South Mecklenburg defensive end Zack Gilbert. The son of NFL defensive tackle Sean Gilbert almost ruined his relationship with his favorite Rivals personality by sporting a Pitt sweatshirt but redeemed himself after saying that WVU was definitely a player for his recruitment, even talking about WVU with other Mountaineers offers later in the day. Zack looked in great shape and his 241 listed weight must have been during his seventh grade year. He will likley follow in his fathers footsteps in playing defensive tackle and he will have no problem putting on the needed weight.
One Gilbert who did participate in today's festivities was Fayetteville (NC) Terry Sanford defensive back Mark Gilbert. Zack's cousin took an unofficial visit to West Virginia this past Friday. He told our own Senior Staff writer Keenan Cummings.....
CB Mark Gilbert told me that he loved his visit to West Virginia a couple days ago and told me that he got a special feeling
while he was on campus. Even with the connections to Pitt he's keeping all of his options open and would like to return to Morgantown.
Gilbert looked smooth all day. Even at 6-foot-2 (possibly 6-foot-3), Gilbert has great hips and shows great lateral quickness. He is capable of playing physical and showed it a few time today but I was more impressed with how quickly he was able to break on the ball. He has obviously been well coached to this point but has great size to go along with some nice athletic ability. WVSports.com will have more with Mark in a video interview from today's camp.
Keeping up with the Washingtons:
Huntersville (NC) Southlake Christian Academy running back Aapri Washington will be in Morgantown that day to take in the Mountaineers spring game. The younger Washington spoke very highly of WVU wide receivers coach Lonnie Galloway and said they have built a strong relationship and Washington feels that they have bonded more than just coach to player. He is excited about the possibilities of being pushed by coach Galloway and coach Mitchell to make him a better player and a better person. While Washington isn't willing to say any school is sticking out, its been long rumored that Washington is a WVU fan and you would have to like where the Mountaineers stand in his recruitment. I suspect Washington may be joined by quite a few state of North Carolina prospects as they make their way to Morgantown in two weeks. I'll have more on that in a moment.
As far as his play, Washington is a smaller, quicker corner who has amazing explosion. He showed good lateral movement and change of direction ability as he would cut in front of a breaking receiver for multiple interceptions during drills. During one on ones, Washington showed he could stay step for step with the faster receivers but on two occasions the little man broke up passes against much bigger receivers as they tried to out muscle him.
More realistic options at running back:
Lexington (NC) North Davidson running back Kennedy McKoy once again talked up West Virginia to Keenan telling him.....
RB Kennedy McKoy has West Virginia in his top three and told me that he really likes the offense and how he could fit into it at the next level. He has a great relationship with the coaches and will be coming back for another trip.
McKoy looked very good during the running back drills but I walked away very impressed with his hands. I was thinking at 190, McKoy could be a bigger back but he didn't look like he was very thick and appeared leaner than in his film. Still he ran really solid routes out of the backfield and showed great hands. The linebackers and defensive backs were deep in North Carolina today and McKoy was able to shine in his limited reps. WVSports.com will have more with Kennedy in a video interview from today's camp.
Along with McKoy, Durham (NC) Southern Durham running back Jovon Brown was in attendance today. Brown was very explosive and you could tell he step in and play slot at the next level. In fact, Brown told me that he is very interested in playing that hybrid position where he could play slot and get a few carries either in the backfield or on end arounds. While Brown hasn't heard from the Mountaineer staff in a few months he is still very interested in WVU and says he really thinks he could fit what head coach Dana Holgorsen is trying to do. Brown ended up being thicker than I expected. I was thinking he would be a similar build to his teammate and one time WVU commit William Cameron but Brown appears to have a nice base to biuld off of and I wouldn't be shocked to see him play in the 190 range in college.
Big Time Ends:
Charlotte (NC) Mallard Creek defensive end Josh Brown has been a FSU commit since last year but has a strong relationship with the Mountaineer staff and still calls West Virginia home. It may be a difficult pull for WVU even if Brown decommits from Florida State. SEC teams Tennessee, Alabama and LSU have recently thrown their hats into the ring for Brown's services. It is easy to see why so many traditional blue bloods like Brown. I was thinking he was a bit undersized but that notion was quickly destroyed as Brown was every bit of his reported size, maybe even bigger. The Rivals four star worked with the linebackers and he looked fluid coverage but obviously his strength is his length and speed (explosion) off the edge. Josh told Keenan.........
DE Josh Brown still is committed to Florida State but really likes West Virginia and enjoyed his visit to Morgantown. It was
the first time he had visited as a recruit after growing up a fan of the program but is keeping his options open.
Ashboro (NC) defensive end Nick Coe looked the part. He isn't 6-foot-6, closer to 6-foot-4 but he is the real deal. He was flat out dominate coming off the edge but you can tell he is still a little raw. He is extremely quick and strong. There is a saying that you want to have your most intimidating player step off the bus first to strike fear in your opponent. Coe would be that guy. Nick told Keenan.........
DE Nick Coe has visited West Virginia before but plans on coming back for another trip sometime this summer or during the fall. Coe isn't anywhere close to a decision and is really taking his time but he has a great relationship with coach Galloway.
We were really hoping to get a chance to see Coe's teammate Emmanuel Jones and maybe a better idea of where the Ashboro duo might end up. WVSports.com will have more with Nick in a video interview from today's camp.
Recruiting bigger safeties:
West Virgina has had some success recruiting taller safeties in the past. It appears with an offer to Fayetteville (NC) Terry Sanford safety Isaiah Stallings hey are trying to capture that magic again. Stallings appeared that he needed to grow into his height a little more (easily 6-foot-4) but was very smooth during one on ones and looked like he had the quickness and hips to play corner. Isaiah told Keenan........
FS Isaiah Stallings told me that coaches really like his range and he is every bit of 6-foot-3. Stallings plans to visit West
Virginia this summer.
Another defenisve back with an offer from the Mountaineers there was Teachey (NC) Wallace Rose Hill Keyshawn Canady. Keenan had an update from the recent offer and we will have more from him in a video interview later on.
2017 WR's impress:
Mountaineer wide receiver's coach Lonnie Galloway has all ready extended offers to 2017 prospects Waxhaw (NC) Cuthberson Ryan Jones. Both North Carolina players could be amongst the best at their position for the class of 2017. At 6-foot-3 and over 200-pounds, Cauthen looked like a man amongst boys today. He was physical, quick and showed flashes of top end speed. He is still very raw at route running and tends to try and over power defenders, he has excellent hands and catches the ball at the highest point. Jones is the finesse to Cautherns raw strength. The Charlotte area receiver moved fluidly as he continuously juked out defender and on more than one occasion made an acrobatic catch that left spectators screaming. For being only 15 years old Jones has the best balance and control I have seen in a high school receiver live. He has excellent hands and good speed.
Maybe the best for last:
OK, maybe not best but certainly the most interesting. Charlotte (NC) Independence defensive tackle Tre Harbinson, Zack Gilbert and Robert Washington. Harbinson recently committed to Virginia so the Mountaineers may not be able to land the entire group, it appears they are in good standing of landing a few of this powerful Tarheel group and perhaps some additional friends and family (Aapri Washington, Mark Gilbert, Isaiah Stallings)
This post was edited on 4/12 10:22 PM by AnthonyKrumpach
This post was edited on 4/13 7:34 AM by AnthonyKrumpach
