West Virginia received its 24th commitment for the 2013 recruiting class, and its seventh from the junior college ranks, by adding punter Nick O’Toole.
On the heels of a solid freshman season punting for Fullerton (Calif.) Community College, O’Toole visited Morgantown this past weekend and landed a scholarship offer from assistant Joe DeForest.
“O’Toole is a prospect who addresses a need for West Virginia at punter after the departure of both Tyler Bitancurt and Corey Smith,” said Keenan Cummings, senior writer for WVSports.com of the Rivals network. “He averaged 42 yards per kick last season at Fullerton – with a long of 62 yards — and is a native of Southern California who played at the legendary Mater Dei High School.”
The 6-foot-4, 220-pound O’Toole plans to enroll this summer and will have four years to play three at West Virginia.
“He had interest from a number of schools out of high school but went the junior college route after not receiving a scholarship offer,” Cummings said. “The offer from West Virginia, along with his desire to play for special-teams ace Joe DeForest, sealed the deal this week.
“It is the third specialist the Mountaineers have extended a scholarship to in the past two classes, following last year’s additions of kicker Josh Lambert and long snapper John DePalma.”
National Signing Day is Wednesday, and MetroNews will provide updated coverage throughout the day as recruits submit their letters-of-intent.