West Virginia Dips Back Into Texas To Land Top Running Back Recruit

The West Virginia Mountaineers expanded their reach and influence in the state of Texas even further this past week. After landing highly rated quarterback prospect Jeremy Johnson from Kountze, Texas last year, it seems coach Bill Stewart and his staff are up their old Texas tricks once again.

On August 21st, Houston running back Jeremichael Selders announced his intentions to come to Morgantown next year. Selders is a 5'11" 170-pound running back who plays at Cypress Creek High School in Houston, Texas. He has been rated the 40th best running back in the 2011 class by both Rivals and Scout recruiting services.  

Selders was also pursued and offered by schools such as Baylor, Arkansas, Iowa State, and CAL.

The quick runner should be a great fit in West Virginia’s spread offense. Selders used his speed and athleticism to run for 1,533 yards and 23 TDs during his junior season at Cypress Creek.

His size may be a bit of a concern, but Texas has been known for producing some quality smaller than average running backs recently. That group includes the likes of Jacquizz Rodgers of Oregon State and LaMichael James of Oregon.

Selders is West Virginia’s eleventh commitment this year, and he’s the third running back prospect to pledge his services. DeAndre Reeves, a bit of an unknown back out of Dominion High School in Sterling, Virginia, has committed to the Mountaineers as has Vernard Roberts, a 5‘10 back from Washington D.C.

Roberts and Reeves are both quality prospects, but Selders is the true standout. West Virginia’s running back position could get interesting after Noel Devine’s departure. Ryan Clarke, Tavon Austin, Shawne Alston, and Daquan Hargrett will all be jockeying for time and carries. Austin, just a sophomore, will probably be the starter if he chooses to move from wide receiver.  

One thing is for sure though, if Selders ends up seeing things through and signing with the Mountaineers, he could be capable of making a substantial impact early on in his career.

West Virginia has been churning out some quality running backs lately, and it seems possible Selders could one day join that talented list.