By Keenan Cummings
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — December is the new February.
At least that became the case when it comes to college football recruiting. For the longest time, that first Wednesday in February served as the national holiday for those that followed recruiting because that was when high school prospects could sign their letters of intent.
With the introduction of the new early signing period in December, it has shifted the landscape of recruiting itself as most of the heavy lifting is done then, with a few additions in January.
That is likely the case for West Virginia, as well, because realistically the program could only add a couple players Wednesday when the national letters of intent start rolling into the Puskar Center. The football program already signed 18 players in December, leaving a window of four scholarships to fill late.
But that doesn’t mean there won’t be some fun to be had on Signing Day.
One of those will go to the only new commitment in January in Orlando (Fla.) Jones running back A’Varius Sparrow. The talented running back eclipsed 2,000 yards and 26 touchdowns during his senior season and became the focus of the search at the position.
That would make 19 signees but who else could potentially join the gold and blue party?
Arguably the top prospect remaining on the board is Evergreen (Ala.) Hillcrest outside linebacker Eddie Watkins, and he is set to make his college choice at 2:30 p.m. at his high school. Watkins is down to West Virginia, Missouri and Arizona after officially visiting each of those schools.
Watkins is being recruited at WVU as a pass rushing linebacker and after an all-state season, he would be an ideal fit for what the Mountaineers want to do at the bandit position.
Outside of waiting for a decision from Watkins, the Mountaineers still have one commitment in the class that’s unsigned in Iowa Western offensive tackle Jacob Gamble. He is still wrapping up things at his junior college, and while a signature could come, it might not until later on in the process.
The program also hosted Mobile (Ala.) athlete Jordon Ingram on an official visit but it remains unclear what the plans are there, while Camilla (Ga.) linebacker James Thomas took an unofficial visit in January and could be a name to pocket away in the future.
