MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — West Virginia heads into National Signing Day with 20 players committed, but several more 11th-hour targets could boost the class into the top 30.
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Four-star running back Donte Thomas-Williams of Durham, N.C., declared WVU his frontrunner last month but is still considering N.C. State, Virginia Tech, Florida, Notre Dame, Florida State and Syracuse. The powerful 6-foot, 220-pounder is rated by Rivals as the No. 21 running back in the nation.
Thomas-Williams’ high school teammate, four-star receiver Trevion Thompson, was considering West Virginia and a number of top programs before committing to Clemson last month.
Despite having three wide receiver commitments for 2014 and two more pledged for 2015, the Mountaineers are still battling Florida for three-star prospect C.J. Worton of South Dade High in Homestead (Fla.). Though it could be hard for West Virginia to pry Worton out of the Sunshine State, Dana Holgorsen’s spread offenses typically have been appealing to skill players, and the Gators ranked 107th in passing offense last season.
One defensive target still in West Virginia’s sights—New Smyrna Beach (Fla.) safety D’Cota Dixon—is believed to be leaning toward Wisconsin, but last week the three-star prospect took his final visit to Morgantown. He also holds offers from several SEC, ACC and Big Ten programs, some of whom believe he could play running back or receiver.
As of Tuesday afternoon, Rivals ranked West Virginia’s class No. 43 nationally, while 247Sports pegged it 39th and ESPN ranked it 38th. But who knows where the Mountaineers will end up after the LOIs begin streaming through the fax machines.
“The only certainty about signing day,” said Rivals writer Keenan Cummings, “is that it always brings surprises.”