Top targets: Offensive linemen

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — As MetroNews continues appraising West Virginia’s recruiting prospects for the class of 2014, we’re joined again by WVSports.com’s Keenan Cummings, who covers recruiting for the Rivals network.

Today we examine the Mountaineers’ top offensive line targets:

Mike Grimm

Mike Grimm
OT • Bethel Park (Pa.)
A four-star prospect, the 6-foot-5, 292-pound Grimm is rated by Rivals as the No. 25 tackle nationally and Pennsylvania’s sixth-best overall recruit in 2014. His 18 offers include Wisconsin, Pitt, Baylor, Arizona, Illinois and Rutgers.

“While it will be quite a battle for West Virginia to secure his services, he plans to visit Morgantown in late July,” Cummings said. “Grimm has an excellent base and is very strong, and while he is a big lineman, he has a very athletic build and the frame to add even more size.

“Tony Gibson is the lead recruiter here and has known him since very early in his recruitment. Pittsburgh will be one of the main competitors for Grimm’s services and this could boil down to an old-fashioned Backyard Brawl on the recruiting trail.”

View video highlights from Grimm’s junior season here.

Josh Krok

Josh Krok
OT • Niles (Ohio) McKinley
At 6-9, 300-plus pounds, Krok is a three-star prospect ranked was the No. 36 tackle prospect in the nation.

“Krok is a specimen, but after seeing him in person at the Rivals Camp Series stop in Pittsburgh, he is definitely impressive,” Cummings said. “Krok’s size doesn’t prevent him from getting low to push away pass rushers, and he has great feet. He uses his arms very well against defenders and will make his second visit to West Virginia for the 7-on-7 camp this upcoming week.

After being on campus for the WVU-Oklahoma game in 2012, Krok’s lead recruiter is now Gibson. His major-college offers are Louisville, Cincinnati and Kentucky, but more schools are expected to join the pursuit this summer.

Walter Rauterkus

Walter Rauterkus
OT • Avon (Ohio) High
The 6-6, 285-pound Rauterkus received his first offer from West Virginia, putting the Mountaineers at the forefront of his recruitment. He also holds an offer from Ohio, several Big Ten schools expressing interest.

“Rauterkus visited Morgantown on an unofficial visit in mid-May and was able to sit down with offensive line coach Ron Crook and discuss how he would fit into the Mountaineers offensive scheme,” Cummings said. “He plans to visit many other schools this summer, but right now it’s hard not to believe that the Mountaineers are the likely selection.”

You can watch video highlights rom his junior season here.

Chance Sorrell

Chance Sorrell
OT • Middletown (Ohio) High
The 6-foot-6 Sorrell is listed as a three-star tight end by Rivals.com’s rankings, but his future will be at offensive tackle thanks to a great frame capable of adding weight beyond his current 250 pounds.

“After he develops in a college weight program, Sorrell should be an athletic offensive tackle who is a total package off the field with grades and his personality,” Cummings said. “Sorrell visited West Virginia earlier this month and the Mountaineers have moved up his list  after the eye-opening trip.

“He had originally planned to make a decision after camp stops at Ohio State and Michigan State, but canceled those and is now eyeing a commitment in the upcoming weeks.”

Sorrell’s other offers include Vanderbilt, Indiana, Cincinnati and Boston College. You can see video highlights here.

Jamie Herr

Jamie Herr
OT • Elkton (Md.) Eastern Christian Academy
A three-star recruit, Herr is 6-5, 276 and ranked by Rivals add the nation’s 59th-best offensive tackle prospect.

“Herr comes from a school very familiar to West Virginia fans after pulling Wendell Smallwood and Daikiel Shorts from there a season ago,” Cummings said. “Herr is another tackle prospect that is high on the Mountaineers, who appear to be battling Rutgers for his commitment.

“Herr was one of the visitors that tripped to Morgantown for the spring game and he has picked up major offers from a number of schools. Due to the success at the school, West Virginia has a real shot at this talented tackle.”

Among the other schools pursuing Herr are Florida State, Syracuse, Pitt and N.C. State.







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