WVU awaits clearance on 2 signees; another bound for prep school

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — West Virginia continues awaiting NCAA clearance on four-star recruits Rasul Douglas and Jovon Durante, though coach Dana Holgorsen said he hopes both will be practicing soon.

Douglas, a 6-foot-3 junior college cornerback, could be a valuable addition to the Mountaineers’ experienced defense. With Daryl Worley and Terrell Chestnut returning as starters and senior Rick Rumph the top backup, Douglas figures to enter the two-deep immediately.

Durante, a receiver from Miramar, Fla., and the top-rated high school signee in West Virginia’s 2015 class (Rivals’ No. 163 prospect nationally), arrived on campus in June. If cleared soon enough to benefit from some of the 13 practices before fall classes begin, Durante could compete for playing time as a true freshman.

Two other signees who were in limbo—four-star cornerback Tyrek Cole and juco defensive end Xavier Pegues—were practicing Monday.

Martinsburg High graduate Deamonte Lindsay, a two-star safety, has enrolled but is on what Holgorsen termed the physically unable to perform list.

One signee won’t arrive this season: The coach announced that Jacquez Adams from Reistertown Md., failed to qualify and will spend the fall at prep school with an eye toward enrolling at WVU in January.

Adams’ twin brother Jordan enrolled at WVU this summer.

Position switch: Redshirt freshman Dontae Angus, the 6-foot-5, 318-pounder who spent last year working far down the depth chart at nose guard, has returned to the offensive line, where he played in high school.

“He’s big (but) he’s not ready to play by any means,” Holgorsen said. “Maybe two years from now at O-line he’ll be what we want him to be.”

Haughton-James dismissed: Fifth-year senior Russell Haughton-James, an offensive lineman arrested in May for allegedly forcing his way into the apartment of his ex-girlfriend, has been dismissed, Holgorsen said.