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Top 2014 targets: Defensive line

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — MetroNews continues its summertime glimpse at the top targets for West Virginia’s 2014 recruiting class.

Today’s post highlights the defensive linemen being pursued by the Mountaineers, and once again Keenan Cummings of WVsports.com and the Rivals network lends his knowledge.

Tyree Owens
OLB/DE • Oviedo (Fla.)
The 6-foot-3, 236-pounder is a three-star prospect who has picked up offers from several major programs, but he currently lists West Virginia as one of his top two schools, along with Georgia Tech.

“Has built a very close relationship with lead recruiter Joe DeForest and plans to visit Morgantown during the summer,” Cummings said. “The Mountaineers were the first program to offer Owens and that has stuck out to him.”

Wisconsin, Virginia, Minnesota, Duke, Cincinnati and Marshall also are pursuing Owens.

Tyler Powell

Tyler Powell
DL • Midlothian (Va.) Cosby
A two-star prospect who stands 6-5, 252 pounds, Powell runs a 4.78 40-yard dash and has offers from Michigan State, Wisconsin, Boston College, Syracuse, Temple, Duke and UConn.

“Powell has watched his recruitment explode during the spring months and West Virginia was one of the schools that entered the mix for him,” Cummings said. “Powell is expecting a summertime visit to Morgantown and is a very versatile defensive lineman who can play either the inside or outside spots along the defensive line, depending how he develops once he is in school.

“Powell has very impressive film and is particularly great with getting off the ball and getting to the quarterback.”

Rohan Blackwood

Rohan Blackwood
DE • Brooksville (Fla.) Nature Coast
A three-star prospect ranked by Rivals as the nation’s No. 24 weakside defensive end, Blackwood said West Virginia is one of the schools that stands out among his 20 offers. The 6-5, 208-pounder has 4.68 speed in the 40.

“Blackwood is a long, lengthy defensive end prospect who can make things happen coming off the edge or even possibly at the outside linebacker spot,” Cummings said. “He has yet to visit West Virginia but hopes to make it to campus either during the summer or possibly on an official visit in the fall.”

His other offers include Louisville, Miami, Mississippi State, Purdue, N.C, State, South Florida.

Bradley Chubb

Bradley Chubb
OLB/DE • Powder Springs (Ga.) Hillgrove
A three-star prospect at outside linebacker, Chubb’s high school team is coached by former West Virginia defensive lineman Ryan Brady. He’s 6-3, 220 pounds and fields offers from Mississippi State, Wake Forest, Iowa, Georgia Tech, Duke and Eat Carolina.

“Chubb already knows quite a bit about the program but wants to find out more on a visit soon,” Cummings said. “Chubb is being recruited by JaJuan Seider and Lonnie Galloway and the two coaches have developed a very strong bond with the rising senior. He has offers from several programs, including Georgia Tech and much of the SEC, and is planning to take his time with his recruitment.”

Anthony Clark

Anthony Clark
DL • Akron (Ohio) Buchtel
Clark (6-4, 253) only received an offer from West Virginia near the end of May, but he grew up a fan of the Mountaineers. His only other offers are from Toledo, Ohio and Kent State, though Clark said Pitt and Louisville have told him offers may be forthcoming.

“Clark can play inside or outside on the defensive line and has the size to do both as well, especially with some time in a college weight program,” Cummings said. “He will camp at West Virginia June 16 and will be one to watch closely, because he has said that if that visit goes well, he could end his recruitment.”

Terry Ramsey

Terry Ramsey
DE • Clayton (Ohio) Northmont 
The three-star Ramsey (6-5, 230) is ranked by Rivals as the No. 22 weakside defensive end prospect in the nation.

“Ramsey visited West Virginia during the spring and was very impressed with the program, but he is considering plenty of other schools,” Cummings said. “Erik Slaughter has made an impact on the talented defensive lineman, but there is a long ways to go in his recruitment, especially with programs such as Kentucky turning up the heat in recent weeks.”

Ramsey also has offers from Louisville, Nebraska, Michigan State, Minnesota and Indiana.







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