By Keenan Cummings
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — The turn of the calendar to August means official written scholarship offers can now be sent out by college football programs to rising seniors.
That was no different at West Virginia, as there was a flurry of activity with those tenders being delivered to current commitments, top targets and players committed elsewhere alike.
The Mountaineers currently sit with 13 pledges in the 2021 class but are actively searching for more talent to round out the group. The program should have anywhere between 10-12 slots remaining.
It comes as no surprise that official written offers were sent out to top targets such as Clintwood (Va.) Ridgeview running back Trenton Adkins, Villa Park (Ill.) Willowbrook offensive tackle Enrique Cruz, Brooklyn (N.Y.) Erasmus Hall offensive lineman Armon Bethea and Philadelphia (Pa.) Imhotep Charter defensive lineman Taleeq Robbins, as each have been priorities for the coaches.
There were many others, as well, but the official offers provide a snapshot of the uncommitted prospects that the coaches are prioritizing moving forward as the recruiting calendar flips to the fall.
Perhaps one of the most interesting aspects, though, are those prospects committed elsewhere that received the official written offer from WVU. St. Louis De Smet defensive lineman Mekhi Wingo has been committed to Missouri since the winter, but has maintained that he will be taking an official visit to Morgantown if possible. This official offer signifies that interest is certainly mutual.
Viera (Fla.) safety Davis Mallinger (Central Florida), Greensboro (Ala.) Southern Academy offensive lineman Eli Richey (Georgia Tech), Venice (Fla.) offensive tackle Ethan Mort (Central Florida) and Auburndale (Fla.) safety Aubrey Burks (Indiana) are just a few of the prospects that have taken a virtual visit to WVU while committed to another school and now have an official offer in hand.
Surprises also emerge during this process, as prospects announce the schools that have given them official tenders. One of those that has been on the radar, but is interested in the program is Miami (Fla.) linebacker commitment Ja’Corey Hammett.
There is a lot left to play out when it comes to the Mountaineers filling their class, but one thing that is becoming more clear is just which prospects are front and center on the board.
