By Keenan Cummings
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — West Virginia needed to find linebackers in the 2021 class so the program borrowed one.
Well, not really but the Mountaineers coaches did flip the commitment of longtime Miami pledge of Ja’Corey Hammett to the Big 12 Conference program.
The 6-foot-2, 195-pounder, had been committed to the Hurricanes since January and appeared to be solid in that decision but WVU never let up their pursuit.
Those efforts were led by inside wide receivers coach Travis Trickett, who developed a close connection with the versatile pass rusher. That led to WVU securing his services as he announced his choice on social media giving the program a big piece to the defensive puzzle.
“Last night they were partying in Morgantown,” he said. “And I’m excited.”
It was clear that Hammett had interest in WVU after posting his official offer despite his commitment Aug. 1, but the Mountaineers had actually positioned themselves much better than that.
Hammett fills a need for the program as an edge rushing linebacker that has the versatility to move around and play wherever he’s needed in Morgantown. His first-step and speed off the edge make him a valuable asset for a program looking to recruit athletes to fit the defensive scheme.
WVU and Miami were far from the only two schools involved, as Hammett also held offers from Florida State, Tennessee, Nebraska, Pittsburgh, Arkansas and Mississippi State, among others.
The Rivals.com three-star prospect becomes the 14th commitment for West Virginia in the 2021 recruiting cycle and represents the first as a true linebacker in the group. Hammett, along with the other current commitments is expected to sign his letter of intent in December.
An added bonus is that he plans to enroll at WVU in January in order to start his career.
“I’m here for the next three or four years, so remember the name. You’re going to hear it a lot,” he said.
The Mountaineers continue to surprise on the recruiting trail and picking a very talented prospect out of Miami’s backyard is certainly just the latest example of that.
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