By Keenan Cummings
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — West Virginia hasn’t received a commitment since Aug. 5, but could that be changing soon?
Edwardsville (Ill.) running back Justin Johnson is set to make his college decision Sunday and the Mountaineers are one of the schools heavily involved for his services.
Johnson, at 5-foot-11 and 191 pounds, narrowed his list down to WVU, California, Minnesota, Michigan State, Louisville and Washington State, but it is believed the first two on that list are the favorites. Out of those two, Johnson has only visited WVU, which gives the Mountaineers a perceived edge.
The Rivals.com 4-star prospect has been to Morgantown on two separate occasions and developed a close bond with the coaching staff, namely running backs coach Chad Scott. The assistant kept in close contact with Johnson throughout the process, which kept the program at the forefront of his options as the process developed.
The versatile running back was highly impressed with his experiences in Morgantown and the program immediately became one of the favorites on his list.
Johnson held out hope he could visit schools officially this fall, but now plans to make his college choice after the extension of the recruiting dead period. That would seem to favor the Mountaineers, given the fact he has been on campus but this recruiting dead period is unlike any other.
The date is a special one for Johnson, considering it is his birthday and making his college decision is a way to celebrate the event.
A natural fit for the WVU scheme, Johnson could add yet another talented running back to the class after the Mountaineers received a commitment from fellow 4-star running back Jaylen Anderson. Last season, Johnson only appeared in nine games but rushed for 1,120 yards and 19 scores.
If West Virginia does land Johnson, it would give them 15 total commitments in the class and likely close the door on recruiting at the running back position.
