Mountaineer Recruiting Momentum
We last provided an update to the West Virginia Mountaineers’ 2023 recruiting class in May. Since then, WVU has added several commitments, with a couple more likely looming over the next few weeks. So far, so good on that front as we take a look at the Mountaineer recruiting momentum.
The Headliners
As we reported in May, the Mountaineers’ 2023 recruiting class features several headliners. Rodney Gallagher jumps off the page as the best of the bunch. Even though he could play several positions, he will likely line up as a wide receiver next season.
Beyond Gallagher, West Virginia received commitments from four different defensive players rated a four-star or higher by at least one national recruiting service. That includes Josiah Trotter and James Heard at linebacker, Justin Benton on the defensive line, and Josiah Jackson. If the goal is to continue building its defense, getting at least one four-star on each level offers a solid path forward.
Strength in Numbers
So far, the Mountaineers boast 16 total commitments for its 2023 class, pacing well ahead of its totals in recent years at this point. Again, Head Coach Neal Brown hopes to add two to three more in the next several weeks. Presumably, his staff will not stop there. Recall that the NCAA suspended its 25-scholarship annual limit for the next two seasons to allow teams to combat transfer portal attrition.
The Mountaineers currently feature 81 scholarship players heading into 2022. That includes 15 seniors. As a result, they have 19 spots available for 2023 assuming there are zero transfers out of the program this season. That, of course, is unlikely. Indeed, as we reported in our transfer portal updates, the average number of transfers out of each program continues to grow annually such that only eight teams out of the Power Five Plus (including Notre Dame and BYU) schools lost fewer than 10 players to the portal through May 13, 2022.
Sizing Up The Class
In the chart below, we identify each recruit from whom WVU secured a commitment so far. We expect this list to grow maybe even as of the day we run this article, and we will provide periodic updates throughout the season up through National Signing Day (now the “late” signing period).
For each player, we provide their name, state, expected position, and their ranking from each of the four national recruiting services. For 247Sports and On3, we provide each service’s internal ranking (not their composite ranking).
| Player | State | Position | Rivals | 247Sports | ESPN | On3 |
| Rodney Gallagher | PA | WR | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Josiah Jackson | OH | CB | 3 | 3 | 3 | 4 |
| Josiah Trotter | PA | LB | 4 | 3 | 4 | 3 |
| James Heard | PA | LB | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Justin Benton | GA | DL | 3 | 3 | 4 | 3 |
| Jordan Jackson | OH | ATH | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Jahiem White | PA | RB | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Jordan Louie | GA | RB | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Raheim Jeter | SC | QB | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Cooper Young | PA | OL | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Cameron Jackson | SC | DL | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Tory Johnson Jr. | VA | WR | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Corey McIntyre Jr. | FL | DL | 3 | 3 | 3 | N/A |
| Eamon Smalls | SC | DL | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Ben Cutter | NC | LB | 3 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Noah Braham | WV | TE | 3 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
What Comes Next
As noted above, we expect the Mountaineer recruiting momentum to continue with a handful of additional commitments over the next few weeks.
We do expect the Mountaineers to be finished recruiting at quarterback, running back, and tight end. They might grab another wide receiver if they land the right one. They will likely add two more offensive linemen, one to two more linebackers, one to two more defensive linemen, and several safeties (the only spot currently unrepresented in the class). We also would not be surprised to see a kicker or punter added to the list as well.
Currently, Rivals ranks WVU’s class at number 15 in the nation. 247Sports ranks the class at number 16. We do not necessarily expect the class to remain in or near the top-15 mark, but we do believe this represents a solid start. The Mountaineers most definitely have a chance to land a top-20 to top-25 recruiting class for 2023. That would certainly offer West Virginia a boost of momentum as they continue into the Neal Brown era.
