Cleveland Heights (Ohio) wide receiver Shelton Gibson, after listing Ohio State as his leader in recent weeks, spurned the Buckeyes on Wednesday by committing to West Virginia.
Gibson’s decision was first reported by Rivals, which rates him the No. 98 overall prospect in the 2013 class and the No. 4 prospect in Ohio.
The four-star Gibson told Rivals last week that he planned on waiting until Signing Day to reveal his destination, but his announcement arrived a few weeks early, with Gibson crediting the persistence of WVU offensive coordinator Shannon Dawson.
“I can’t state enough how big of a pull Shelton Gibson is for West Virginia,” said Keenan Cummings, senior writer with WVsports.com of the Rivals network. “An absolutely electric playmaker, Gibson has the ability to score every time he touches the football and should find no problems fitting into Dana Holgorsen’s offensive system.
“Gibson will line up at wide receiver for the Mountaineers and should have every opportunity to make an impact early in his career.”
The 6-foot-1, 175-pounder said discussions with outgoing receiver Tavon Austin also factored into his decision. With Austin and Stedman Bailey bound for the NFL, Gibson will get a chance to compete for playing time. Even with Austin and Bailey combining for 228 catches and 37 receiving touchdowns this past season, West Virginia played two true freshman receivers.
Gibson said he also seriously considered Tennessee and Kentucky. He holds offers from Auburn, Louisville, Mississippi State, Nebraska, N.C. State, Pitt and Vanderbilt.
His Rivals profile shows 4.42 speed in the 40, a 34-inch vertical and a 3.1 grade-point average.