MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Preston Fox hopes to be the next in line of Morgantown High alumni to make a major impact through West Virginia’s walk-on program. He announced Wednesday he will join the Mountaineers as a preferred walk-on with the intent of playing inside receiver.
“The first reason is because it’s home,” Fox said. “Secondly, I feel like I have the opportunity to compete at the highest level. Eventually, I feel like I can work my way up and prove that I can compete at this level.”
With several Division I and Division III offers on the table, Fox wants to prove he belongs at a Power Five program and he had been coming to WVU games and tailgates since he was a baby. As a senior last season at MHS, he had 46 catches for 754 yards and four touchdowns in the receiving game. As the season went on, the Mohigans used Fox in the quarterback spot to get the ball in his hands, and he finished with 376 yards and five touchdowns on 55 carries on the ground.
Total, as a kick and punt returner, as well, Fox had 1,699 all-purpose yards in 2019, while also shining as a safety on defense.
However, Fox’s frame makes him a suitable target at inside receiver, so that’s where the WVU coaching staff believes he’s the best fit.
“Coach (Neal) Brown, coach (Ryan) Nehlen and coach (Travis) Trickett have been on me for months,” Fox said. “They have made me feel comfortable with being a part of this program. They have given me the opportunity to make the dream I had as a kid come true.”
Recent former Mohigans to make an impact at WVU include linebacker Shea Campbell and safety Shame Commodore, who each came in as preferred walk-ons but earned scholarships along the way.
Fox won’t forget the lessons he learned while at MHS.
“MHS has grown me not only as a football player but also as a person,” Fox said. “Athletes Edge has given me the chance to learn about God and teach me lessons about life. All of my coaches have been very supportive of me over the years and have given me the opportunity to succeed at this level.”
