MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Three-star Ohio offensive tackle Rob Dowdy, who decommitted from Pitt last month after the departure of Paul Chryst’s staff, pledged to West Virginia on Sunday.
Rivals senior writer Keenan Cummings first reported Dowdy’s commitment for WVSports.com.
WVU offensive line assistant Ron Crook made two in-home visits this month to meet Dowdy in Westerville, Ohio, and was joined on one of those by Dana Holgorsen. The 6-foot-5, 296 pounder holds offers from Michigan State, Arkansas, Arizona State, Minnesota, Miami and Louisville and recently became a standby target of Florida.
Dowdy is the 25th-rated prospect in Ohio and the No. 58 offensive tackle prospect nationally, according to Rivals. He could become a key late-cycle pickup for West Virginia, which enters 2015 with two seniors and a junior on the two-deep at tackle.
West Virginia’s class now has pledges from four high school offense linemen: three-star guard Matt Jones of Hubbard, Ohio; two-star tackle Colton McKivitz of Belmont, Ohio; and three-star combo lineman Jah’shaun Seider of Glades Central, Fla.
In addition, there’s Michigan transfer Kyle Bosch, who figures to have two years of eligibility remaining beginning in 2016.
“Dowdy has a great frame, and he’s very lean, giving him an opportunity to put on some good weight,” Cummings said. “Dowdy has long arms and shows the ability to keep pass rushers at bay, though right now he’s a little raw and looks to be a better run blocker.”
Dowdy returns the Mountaineers’ class to 21 commitments following the weekend loss of three-star receiver Tavares Martin from Greenacres, Fla.
West Virginia’s class currently sits 28th in the Rivals team rankings and fourth in the Big 12 behind No. 13 Texas, No. 16 Oklahoma and No. 27 TCU.