West Virginia Football Recruiting: Tracking All 2013 Commits
Dana Holgorsen and the West Virginia Mountaineers have a very bright future, and that starts and ends with recruiting.
West Virginia has put together a very solid 2013 recruiting class, and it features more than a few players who will end up being a huge part of that bright future.
Overall, this is a class with a ton of potential, so Mountaineers fans have a lot to be excited about.
Let's get to know West Virginia's 2013 recruiting class.
Note: All information via 247Sports, ESPN Recruiting Nation or Scout.com unless otherwise noted. Star rankings courtesy of the 247Sports Composite Rankings.
Marquion Lane
1 of 28Weight: 184 lbs.
Position: ATH
Star Ranking: 3-star
High School: Trinity Christian Academy (Fla.)
Senior Stats: N/A
Other Finalists: Mississippi State, Cincinnati, Tennessee
Commit Date: 2/6
Analysis
Marquion Lane is a talented athlete recruit, and is a big commitment for West Virginia.
Brandon Golson
2 of 28Weight: 215 lbs.
Position: OLB
Star Ranking: 3-star
High School: Calhoun County, Fork Union, VA
Commit Date: 2/6 National Signing Day
Brandon Golson represents and important JUCO commitment for the Mountaineers. He checks in at 6'2'', 215 pounds, so he has good size for an outside linebacker, and he's ranked as the No. 5 JUCO player at the position (247Sports Composite). He's also a big signing day pickup for WVU.
Mario Alford
3 of 28Weight: 180 lbs.
Position: ATH
Star Ranking: 3-star
High School: Greenville High School, Greenville, GA
Commit Date: 2/6 National Signing Day
Alford is another big JUCO commitment for West Virginia, and he's also a former Arizona commitment. He's ranked as the No. 3 JUCO athlete according to the 247Sports Composite and he can play either running back or wideout for the Mountaineers.
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Jeremy Tyler
4 of 28Weight: 195 lbs.
Position: S
Star Ranking: 3-star
High School: Martin Luther King High School (Ga.)
Senior Stats: N/A
Other Finalists: Texas Tech, Vanderbilt
Commit Date: 2/6, 8:30 AM ET
Analysis
Jeremy Tyler is another good safety recruit, and West Virginia is in his top three, according to his 247Sports interest list. He has good size and runs a 4.60 40, according to 247Sports, so he'd be a good commitment if West Virginia does land him.
Dreamius Smith
5 of 28Weight: 215 lbs.
Position: RB
Star Ranking: 3-star
School: Butler Community College, Heights High School (Kan.)
2012 Stats: 984 YD, 17 TD, 2 REC TD
Other Finalists: Oklahoma State
Commit Date: 11/19/12, Signed: 12/20/12, Enrolled: 1/14/13
Analysis
Dreamius Smith is a big running back with the opportunity to come in and play right away. He has tremendous size, and he's the No. 2 ranked JUCO running back, according to the 247Sports Composite. His time at the JUCO level should help him out, as will the fact that he enrolled early. Look for Smith to compete for the starting job right away.
Chavas Rawlins
6 of 28Weight: 190 lbs.
Position: QB
Star Ranking: 3-star
High School: Monessen High School (Pa.)
Senior Stats: 1,382 PAYD, 16 PATD, 613 RUYD, 13 RUTD
Other Finalists: Michigan, Nebraska
Commit Date: 5/18/12, Enrolled: 1/14/13
Analysis
With Geno Smith gone, the starting job is essentially up for grabs at quarterback. At the very least, Rawlins is going to find himself in contention. He has great size and runs a 4.60 40, according to 247Sports. He's also the No. 23 duel-threat quarterback, according to the 247Sports Composite Rankings. He should be able to compete with Ford Childress for the starting job.
Hodari Christian
7 of 28Weight: 195 lbs.
Position: OLB
Star Ranking: 3-star
High School: McKeesport High School (Pa.)
Senior Stats: N/A
Other Finalists: N/A
Commit Date: 5/11/12, Enrolled: 1/14/13
Analysis
The Mountaineers are looking very good at linebacker as far as the depth chart is concerned, but Christian will benefit from the fact that he's enrolled early, and he should work his way into a backup role. He'll need to put on a little bit more weight, but in time he could be a good addition to that group of linebackers.
Kevin White
8 of 28Weight: 210 lbs.
Position: WR
Star Ranking: 3-star
School: Lackawanna College
2012 Stats: 36 REC, 535 YD, 6 TD
Other Finalists: Texas Tech
Commit Date: 12/12/12, Signed: 12/20/12 Enrolled: 1/16/13
Analysis
Kevin White has the potential to be a star early on for the Mountaineers. He has terrific size at 6'4'', 210 pounds, and he'll most likely find his way onto the field in red-zone situations right away for West Virginia. His size will give him a big advantage over many cornerbacks, so look for WVU to exploit those mismatches early on.
Malik Greaves
9 of 28Weight: 200 lbs.
Position: S
Star Ranking: 3-star
School: Sandalwood High School (Fla.)
Senior Stats: N/A
Other Finalists: Texas A&M, Auburn, Vanderbilt
Commit Date: 12/2/12, Signed: 12/20/12 Enrolled: 1/14/13
Analysis
Much like White, Malik Greaves has incredible potential because of his size. He's 6'3'', 200 pounds, which is great for a player coming right out of high school. West Virginia is set at safety right now, but Greaves can work himself into the rotation behind Karl Joseph, Darwin Cook, Terrell Pinson, K.J. Dillion and Ishmael Banks.
Wendell Smallwood
10 of 28Weight: 190 lbs.
Position: RB
Star Ranking: 3-star
School: Eastern Christian Academy (Md.)
Other Finalists: N/A
Commit Date: 12/7/12, Enrolled: 1/14/13
Analysis:
Wendell Smallwood has the opportunity to compete for playing time with Andrew Buie and Dustin Garrison, and in time he could be a very capable No. 2 back for the Mountaineers behind Dremius Smith. Smallwood is the No. 24 running back in the 2013 class, according to the 247Sports Composite.
Daikiel Shorts
11 of 28Weight: 200 lbs.
Position: ATH/WR/S
Star Ranking: 3-star
School: Eastern Christian Academy (Md.)
Other Finalists: Boise State, Boston College
Commit Date: 7/30/12, Enrolled: 1/14/13
Analysis
Daikiel Shorts is a big commitment for West Virginia because he'll be able to do a lot. He's ranked as an athlete, and he can play safety and wide receiver. That versatility will be huge for Shorts moving forward, and he'll benefit from enrolling early. When all is said and done, I expect to see him at safety for West Virginia, and he'll also be an important special teams player.
Shelton Gibson
12 of 28Weight: 181 lbs.
Position: WR
Star Ranking: 4-star
School: Cleveland Heights High School (Ohio)
Other Finalists: Ohio State
Commit Date: 1/16/13
Analysis
Shelton Gibson is West Virginia's star recruit, and he should see the field early and often as a freshman. He's an elite wideout recruit and projects to be a legitimate deep threat. He's ranked as the No. 18 overall receiver, according to the 247Sports Composite, and he represents a huge out-of-state recruiting win for WVU.
Al-Rasheed Benton
13 of 28Weight: 233 lbs.
Position: ILB
Star Ranking: 3-star
School: Malcolm X. Shabazz High School (N.J.)
Other Finalists: Pitt
Commit Date: 10/22/12
Analysis
Tyler Tezeno
14 of 28Weight: 285 lbs.
Position: OG
Star Ranking: 3-star
School: Klein Collins High School (Texas)
Other Finalists: N/A
Commit Date: 6/7/12
Analysis
Tezeno is a big-time offensive guard recruit, and he's a huge player from the state of Texas for West Virginia. He'll be an important depth player right off the bat, but expect him to compete for a starting spot once Pat Eger moves on. In time, Tezeno should be a big part of WVU's offensive line.
D'Vante Henry
15 of 28Weight: 210 lbs.
Position: OLB
Star Ranking: 3-star
School: Arizona Western College
Other Finalists: Oklahoma
Commit Date: 12/19/12
Analysis
D'Vante Henry is a huge outside linebacker recruit at 6'6'', 210 pounds. He has the potential to be very good. He's a player that I expect will be a star on special teams, and he could even work his way into the a sub role at outside linebacker. He has great size, but he also runs a 4.50 40 (247Sports), so look out for Henry. He could end up being a star recruit from this class.
DeShawn Coleman
16 of 28Weight: 170 lbs.
Position: RB
Star Ranking: 3-star
School: Hickory High School (Pa.)
Other Finalists: N/A
Commit Date: 4/21/12
Analysis
Dontrill Hyman
17 of 28Weight: 265 lbs.
Position: SDE
Star Ranking: 3-star
School: Hinds C.C.
2012 Stats: 51 TCK, 4 TFL, 7.5 SCK, 3 FF
Other Finalists: ECU
Commit Date: 2/3/13
Analysis:
Dontrill Hyman is a last-minute addition to West Virginia's 2013 class, but he's a good addition. He has great size at 6'4'', 265 pounds, and he's ranked as the No. 9 JUCO strong-side defensive end in the 2013 class, according to the 247Sports composite. He's a big commitment for WVU.
Marcell Lazard
18 of 28Weight: 307 lbs.
Position: OT
Star Ranking: 3-star
School: Bloomfield High School (N.J.)
Other Finalists: Ohio State
Commit Date: 4/21/12
Analysis
Marcell Lazard has immense potential. He has terrific size at 6'6'', 307 pounds, and he could very well compete for a starting job in the next few seasons. He'll be a sub on the depth chart for a while, but look for Lazard to get some major looks once Nick Kindler runs out of eligibility.
Marvin Gross
19 of 28Weight: 215 lbs.
Position: SDE
Star Ranking: 3-star
School: Dunbar High School (Md.)
Other Finalists: N/A
Commit Date: 11/8/12
Analysis
Marvin Gross represents a big commitment for for the Mountaineers. He has good size and very good speed. He runs a 4.60 40, according to 247Sports. Look for Gross to compete with Kyle Rose and Korey Harris for reps as a freshman.
Daryl Worley
20 of 28Weight: 180 lbs.
Position: S
Star Ranking: 3-star
School: William Penn Charter (Pa.)
Other Finalists: Pitt
Commit Date: 7/30/12
Analysis
Daryl Worley has the potential to be a very good player for the Mountaineers. He has good height for a safety and should find himself in position to compete for a lot of reps in a few seasons. Potential is the key word here for Worley.
Jacky Marcellus
21 of 28Weight: 175 lbs.
Position: RB
Star Ranking: 3-star
School: Immokalee High School (Fla.)
Other Finalists: Florida State
Commit Date: 8/3/12
Analysis
Jacky Marcellus projects to be a great change-of-pace back for West Virginia, and he could end up being a very big recruiting win for the Mountaineers. He's only 5'8'', 175 pounds, but he runs a 4.50, according to 247Sports. Keep an eye on Marcellus, because he could end up playing a major role in a few seasons.
Darrien Howard
22 of 28Weight: 241 lbs.
Position: ILB
Star Ranking: 3-star
School: Chaminade-Julienne High School (Ohio)
Senior Stats: 75 TCK, 6 TFL, 1 SCK, 1 FF, 2 FR
Other Finalists: N/A
Commit Date: 6/1/12
Analysis
Darrien Howard has great measurables for an inside linebacker coming out of high school. He's 6'2'', 241 pounds, and he runs a 4.70 40, according to 247Sports. That's a great combination of size and speed, and he should be used right away on special teams, where he can be effective. In a few seasons, though, look for Howard to compete to see the field on defense more often.
Grant Lingafelter
23 of 28Weight: 265 lbs.
Position: OT
Star Ranking: 3-star
School: Chagrin Falls High School (Ohio)
Other Finalists: Miami (OH)
Commit Date: 1/29/13
Analysis
Lingafelter is a big offensive tackle recruit who could end up being very good in time. He has great height, and his future with the program is very bright. Look for him to take a redshirt in year one. He'll benefit from that extra year of eligibility, and especially the extra year in the weight room.
Ronald Carswell
24 of 28Weight: 180 lbs.
Position: WR
Star Ranking: 3-star
School: Chagrin Falls High School (Ohio)
2012 Stats: 44 REC, 429 YD, 1 REC
Other Finalists: Alabama
Commit Date: 12/2/13
Analysis
Carswell is an important JUCO commitment for West Virginia, and he could come in and be a big-time sub at wideout right away. He'll also need to make his mark on special teams. He's ranked as the No. 20 JUCO wideout recruit, according to the 247Sports Composite.
Isaac McDonald
25 of 28Weight: 205 lbs.
Position: ATH/WDE
Star Ranking: 3-star
School: Champagnat Catholic High School (Fla.)
Other Finalists: Clemson, South Carolina
Commit Date: 7/14/12
Analysis
Stone Underwood
26 of 28Weight: 290 lbs.
Position: C
Star Ranking: 2-star
School: Copiah-Lincoln Community College
Other Finalists: N/A
Commit Date: 1/14/13
Analysis
Nicholas O'Toole
27 of 28Weight: 215 lbs.
Position: P
Star Ranking: 2-star
School: Fullerton College
Senior Stats: 41.8 PUAVG, 62 PULNG
Other Finalists: N/A
Commit Date: 2/4/13
Analysis:
O'Toole is a big late recruiting cycle addition for West Virginia. He's ranked as the No. 4 overall punter according to the 247Sports Composite, so he projects to be very good for the Mountaineers.
Elijah Wellman
28 of 28Weight: 235 lbs.
Position: FB
Star Ranking: 2-star
School: Spring Valley High School (W.Va.)
Other Finalists: N/A
Commit Date: 6/18/12
Analysis
Elijah Wellman is the No. 7 fullback in the 2013 class, according to the 247Sports Composite. He projects to be a big-time blocker for the Mountaineers, and he'll be important in goal-line packages and on special teams. Overall, he has the potential to be very productive for West Virginia.
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