Morgantown receiver Blaine Stewart officially announced his college decision over the weekend, committing to play college football at James Madison, a usual contender at the FCS level.
“James Madison is getting a fine young man to go play football. Blaine has always wanted to play football at the next level,” said Morgantown head coach John Bowers. “He had multiple opportunities in different capacities, whether it be a walk-on or an invited walk-on, but he got some scholarship money to go play football at James Madison.”
Some of those walk-on opportunities included Duke, Wake Forest, Ohio, William & Mary, Akron, and Richmond – but ultimately, James Madison was a chance for him to play on scholarship.
“Blaine and his mom and everybody that knows him are very encouraged about it and we’re going to be cheering for the Dukes for the next four years,” Bowers said.
Stewart, of course, is the son of former WVU head football coach the late-Bill Stewart. During his senior season with the Mohigans, Stewart had 41 catches for 612 yards and six touchdowns.
“James Madison is a great institution of higher-learning,” Bowers said. “He’s going to go play a little bit of football, but he’s also interested in the business side of what they do. He’s going to be a business major and James Madison is going to provide both opportunities.”
James Madison won the Division I-AA national championship back in 2004. The Dukes this past season went 7-4 under head coach Mickey Matthews.