MORGANTOWN — Neal Brown hasn’t yet had his introductory press conference or named his coaching staff, but he’s already found two players who he would like to join him at West Virginia.
On the same day that his hiring at West Virginia became official, Brown offered scholarships to a pair of players from the Class of 2020.
Granted, he didn’t have to go very far outside of his comfort zone to find them.
Those juniors are running back Landen Bartleson and wide receiver Reese Smith. Both are from Boyle County High School in Danville, Ky. — otherwise known as Brown’s alma mater.
It appears Brown is seeking talent more so than a Boyle County takeover. Bartleson, currently considered the No. 7 overall recruit in Kentucky based on composite rankings of all major recruiting sites, has offers from Ohio State and Tennessee in addition to Kentucky. Smith, the No. 10 overall recruit, also has offers from Kentucky and Tennessee.
Of course, before finding next year’s class, Brown will be tasked with putting the finishing touches on this year’s.
According to Rivals.com’s Keenan Cummings, none of the 16 signees in this year’s class have indicated that they plan on asking for a release from their letters of intent following Dana Holgorsen’s departure. Three of them will be locked in at the start of the spring semester. Defensive back Dreshun Miller and defensive end Taijh Alston are both arriving from junior colleges, and defensive back Kerry Martin graduated early from Charleston’s Capital High.
Brown will have to hit the ground running in his first month on the job. The second national signing day looms Feb. 6, and West Virginia still has seven scholarships remaining in this year’s class. Should any spots remain unfilled at that point — and it’s likely that will be the case — the Mountaineers will be in the market for transfers who will be able to join the program at the conclusion of the spring semester.
