Duquesne DB Transfer Ayden Garnes Picks West Virginia

West Virginia gets its first commitment of the 2024 portal class.

Portal season is in full force and West Virginia just picked up its first transfer commitment of the 2024 class, landing former Duquesne cornerback Ayden Garnes.

Garnes was in Morgantown for his official visit last weekend and the instant connection he made with the coaching staff led to his pledge.

"I felt the love and the need the minute I walked through the door," Garnes told Mountaineers Now. "When I first got there Friday morning, I met coach J-Cod (Jevaughn Codlin) first because he picked me up from Duquesne and he was great. Coach ShaDon (Brown), first met him and he was like, 'You're taller then I thought.' He had great energy and was happy I was there. He is one smart guy. He told me a lot about the game and the drills he runs and showed me in a meeting they had game film to back everything up. Coach (Neal) Brown he was great seen him at practice first and he was pumped happy I was there. Then after practice I came into his office and we had a good conversation about my life and what got me to this point."

Garnes recorded three tackles and a pass breakup in Duquesne's matchup with West Virginia earlier this season. He finished the year with 51 tackles, five tackles for loss, 11 pass breakups, two interceptions, one fumble recovery, and a sack. Garnes was a First Team All-NEC performer and was graded as the third-best corner in FCS by Pro Football Focus.

Garnes chose West Virginia over Appalachian State, Arkansas State, Ball State, Cincinnati, Coastal Carolina, Florida International, Georgia State, Indiana, Liberty, Temple, Texas State, Tulane, UMass, Western Kentucky, Western Michigan. 

He has two years of eligibility remaining.

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