By Keenan Cummings
The West Virginia football team already has one running back commitment in the 2021 recruiting class, but the Mountaineers are still in the market to potentially add another.
Perry (Ohio) running back Jaylen Anderson has been solidly committed to WVU since mid-April and is one of the more highly recruited players at his position in the class. Still, with only a total of four current scholarship players on the roster, there are needs to be filled.
Edwardsville (Ill.) running back Justin Johnson visited campus twice prior to the current dead period and developed a close bond with the coaches. Running backs coach Chad Scott is the lead recruiter for Johnson and also has made a strong connection with his parents, as well.
Johnson, a 4-star prospect according to Rivals.com, has several other offers, including Michigan State, California, Louisville and Washington State. He has maintained he wants to take his time to sort out a decision, but would like to start the process of narrowing things down this summer.
The current ban on visits could make this go a little longer than expected, but considering the Mountaineers coaches have been able to get him to campus twice since January the program is in a better spot than some of the schools in pursuit.
Still, he hopes to take official visits once those do resume.
Johnson is looking for a program where he has a comfort level with the coaches and players as well as a place where he can get onto the field early in his career. The Mountaineers check off all of those boxes.
“It’s been great with West Virginia. That’s definitely one of my top options,” he said.
The second option to fill that slot is Clintwood (Va.) Ridgeview running back Trenton Adkins, and like Johnson, he has been a frequent visitor to campus since receiving an offer from the program.
The dynamic athlete took multiple trips to Morgantown for the early junior days and the Mountaineers have been one of the most consistent programs in his recruitment since entering the picture. Adkins also is being recruited by Scott and there is a strong sense of comfort with the school.
Adkins, a Rivals.com 3-star prospect, isn’t looking to rush things, but has hinted that a decision could come sooner than he initially expected during the season. The versatile athlete is hearing from plenty of other schools as well, so it will be a battle for his services.
The Mountaineers already have one talented back in the class, but things aren’t finished yet.
