2024 WVU Football Commits
West Virginia Football Commits - Class of 2024
Evaluation: Wilkins is a dual-threat quarterback who has a strong pocket presence. He stands tall, steps up and is decisive with his throws, most notably, the release on his front foot allows precision on tough passes.
At times, he's Houdini in the backfield, escaping the clutches of the defense to squirt outside of the pocket for a nice gain with his legs but most importantly, buys enough time for the receiver to finish the route before delivering a strike.
Evaluation: Hubbard has a variety of tools at his disposal. He has the speed and vision to score on any given down and the strength and the power to take the ordinary and turn it to extraordinary, bouncing off defenders to get into the open field.
He serves as an extra receiver in the passing game and isn't afraid to get down and dirty in pass protection.
Evaluation: Plays much bigger than his 6-foot, 190-pound frame would indicate. He fights through tackles and for possession of the ball when contested and embraces it. Rehmann gets out of his release quick and easy and uses that quickness to beat zone coverage deep down the field. He also has a knack for finding the soft spots versus zone, becoming open much earlier in the play thus creating opportunities for yards after the catch. Knows how to stem and stack and exactly how to use his leverage. Aside from catching the ball, he's a willing and able blocker and you can tell it's an aspect of his game that he takes pride in. There's a lot to like in Rehmann's game and I wouldn't be surprised if he's on the field in some capacity in 2024 as a true freshman.
Evaluation: Call him YAC (Yards after catch). A track athlete and it shows on film. Super fast and shifty. He does a lot of his work underneath in the quick game. You can tell that Jefferson's objective was to just get the ball in his hands in space and let him cook. Does a lot of work out of the slot but also lines up outside. He's not your traditional 'X' receiver, though. There is some uncertainty about how well he can stretch the field vertically and win those 50/50 balls downfield. But it's not because he's incapable, it's just that they don't ask him to do those kinds of things in their offense for whatever reason. However, you can tell that he can get separation quickly in the route and knows how to pressure a corner, so getting vertical shouldn't be a big problem. Robinson is also dynamic in the return game and will likely find his way on the field early in his career by returning kicks.
Evaluation: Offers the complete package in terms of skillset. He takes pride in blocking in the run game and that alone will get him on the field sooner than most tight ends. He can be used in multiple ways in the passing game. He's lined up as a big slot, flexed out to the Z in one-on-one situations, and as an attachment to the line of scrimmage at the Y. Sammarco isn't going to blow you away with his speed but he runs fairly well for his size. Wins a high rate of 50/50 balls thanks to his size, but knows how to position his body to be able to make those catches consistently.
Evaluation: Terry is a bully on the outside of the line, and he exhibits it in the running game. At six-foot-five-inches and 315-pounds, he uses the big frame to seal off the edge or simply run over the defensive end to open a running lane. His athleticism gets him to the second and third level, but it's highlighted when pulling down the line.
The Pickerington Central High School product remains centered in pass protection with his footwork and his massive wingspan gives him an advantage.
Evaluation: Altuner has played both tackle spots and center but projects to be an interior lineman at WVU, likely at center. He's extremely physical in the run game, plays heavy-handed, and with good pad level. Altuner gets up to the second level of the defense picking up backers, paving huge holes in the run game. His elite footwork and athleticism allow him to pin and pull option. It's easy to see why so many Power Five schools were in on him.
Evaluation: Star potential. Onwuka is long, rangy, and athletic which is exactly what West Virginia's coaching staff has been looking for at the position since they arrived in 2019. Onwuka can put pressure on the quarterback consistently but what really stands out is his ability to set the edge and contain the run game. He doesn't overplay outside zone runs and maintains good gap discipline. Onwuka will be an immediate impact player and should compete for a starting role by year two.
Evaluation: Byerson is a versatile defensive lineman and effective across the line of scrimmage. He shoots the gap and meets the ball carriers head-on, driving them back and into the ground.
The six-foot-five-once 250-pound sheds blocks, and at times throws offensive lineman around like rag dolls, also showing his strength making tackles while engaged, wrapping up running backs with one arm to bring them down.
He's quick around the edge but doesn't over play the ball and has the wherewithal to keep his eyes on the backfield and hands up to tip passes at the line.
Evaluation: Kinsler has the versatility to play multiple techniques but is dominant as an interior pass rusher. He plays with max effort but makes what he does look effortless. He's in on seemingly every single play and is somewhat of a menace up front due to having a full bag of moves that he can beat linemen with. Despite only being 260 pounds, he takes on double teams well and is able to shed those blocks to help shut down the running game. If he reaches to get to the ball carrier, he's making the tackle. There's no breaking out of it. Should be able to compete for a role on the defense once he spends time in the weight room and gets to the weight the coaching staff wants him to play at.
Evaluation: Absolutely powerful in the run game. James displays excellent ball get-off and rips through the line of scrimmage in a hurry. It's no secret as to why West Virginia pursued him hard early in his recruitment. This kid has All-Big 12 potential with his ability to rack up tackles for loss. But it's not all about stopping the run with James. He knows how to get after the quarterback too and I believe he's going to develop into a quality interior pass rusher. In a lot of ways, James reminds me of Darius Stills but he's a bit more polished coming out of high school.
Evaluation: Williams has good size and the athleticism to go with it, showcasing his versatility in multiple positions. He plays downhill and gets small in the gaps, bounces off or shedding offensive linemen to get into the backfield and uses a quick burst to pounce on the ball carrier. He shows eyes discipline and uses his length to his advantage, making it hard for opponents to escape his grasp.
Evaluation: Bostic highlights his athleticism on both sides of the ball, lining up in multiple positions, and displays his football IQ on the backend of the defense.
The Cincinnati product is a ballhawk in the secondary and makes opponents pay the ultimate price for their mistakes. He utilizes his six-foot-three-inch frame to high-point the ball in front of or over the top of the receiver.
Evaluation: Cross is a two-way player and is the quarterback Bishop Canevin, which gives him an edge with play recognition as the centerfielder of the defense.
He's an opportunist in the backend of the defense, taking advantage of offensive mistakes and flips momentum with a pick six. He is a ball hawk and can out muscle and out leap receivers.
The six-foot-two 165-pound safety delivers big hits to the ball carriers and snuffs out the running game with ferocious hits.
Evaluation: KJ Flowe plays big on the backend, and often as the last line of defense, is a sure tackler in the open field and packs a wallop with his six-foot frame.
He's got good instincts on the field and has a nose for the ball. He uses his speed well to get to the deep ball, but most importantly, he's a gamer, toying with quarterbacks, bouncing around the secondary pre-snap and baiting them into a turnover.
He has also shown he can line up anywhere in the secondary, showcasing his press coverage skills at corner and playing on the line of scrimmage as a safety.
Evaluation: Coming soon.
Evaluation: Boyce is what I like to call a garbage man. He cleans up plays in the back end with his innate ability to tackle in the open field. Boyce diagnoses where the ball is going run/pass and makes a quick read to either break on the ball or come up and shut down a potential big run. He's not a big, long defensive back but has terrific speed and playmaking ability. Boyce has good tape in press man coverage outside jamming receivers to control leverage but is just as well-rounded inside versus the slot, and in zone at both safety positions. It'll be interesting to see what he position he ends up at in Morgantown. Early on, he could be used as a nickel.
Evaluation: Plays with great instincts. Doesn't second guess/hesitate, playing at full speed. Playing receiver has allowed Henry to understand leverage and uses that knowledge to his advantage when lining up at corner. Has a true feel for being the center fielder of the defense and will likely suit up at free safety at the next level. Henry also has some experience returning kicks, averaging nearly 20 yards per return. With his speed, he will be able to carve out a role on special teams early in his career whether it's as a returner or elsewhere.
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