By: Keenan Cummings
For The Dominion Post
MORGANTOWN — Fresh off an official visit weekend that netted a pair of new commitments for West Virginia, the focus now shifts to the final opportunity to impress prior to the early signing day.
The Mountaineers hosted nine prospects during the Dec. 7 weekend resulting in the commitments of Thatcher (Ariz.) Eastern Arizona J.C. cornerback Dreshun Miller and Tampa (Fla.) Hillsborough wide receiver Terence Doston, but the work is not done.
Along with a group of several committed prospects, WVU will play host to some key targets ahead of the Dec. 19 signing day. Highland Springs (Va.) wide receiver Ali Jennings is set to make his long awaited official visit and the Mountaineers are currently considered the front runner in his recruitment. This could be the final step in possibly locking down a decision from the talented pass catcher.
A pair of Georgia defensive backs also will be in town and the duo has emerged at the top of the board for the coaching staff at the cornerback spot. Decatur (Ga.) Southwest Dekalb defensive back Jamel Starks and Leesburg (Ga.) Lee County cornerback Tavian Mayo have both been on the board for a long time, but the persistence of cornerbacks coach Doug Belk has resulted in both scheduled to visit.
While Starks is more of a hybrid between a cornerback and safety with a physical element, Mayo is more of a true cover corner and both would address one of the final remaining needs in the class. Either would be a major addition to the class and bring a close the recruitment of the cornerback position in this cycle.
After the weekend visits conclude a dead period will begin. Almost inappropriately named, the dead period basically means that prospects aren’t permitted to have any face-to-face contact with coaches, including visiting any campuses leading up to the start of the 48-hour signing period. That period is the same in nature as the traditional signing day in February and effectively brings an end to the recruitment of any prospect that elects to sign.
WVU currently has a total of 16 commitments in the 2019 class and is expected to take a total of 23, although some of those spots likely won’t be filled until later with transfers such as how the coaches have done in the past.
