MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Defensive lineman Lamonte McDougle had long been a priority for West Virginia. Receiver Reggie Roberson became a target less than three weeks ago.
Both three-star prospects chose the Mountaineers on Monday night, some 36 hours before national letters of intent begin rolling in.
They give West Virginia 21 commitments in a 2017 class Rivals ranks 47th nationally.
The 6-foot, 185-pound Roberson of Mesquite, Texas, recently became a top contingency for the Mountaineers after four-star Mike Harley decommitted.
Roberson himself is a decommitment, having pledged to Kansas last May before rethinking things in November. He holds offers from Illinois, Utah, Washington State, Indiana, Oregon State and a cluster of Group of Five programs.
“His hand-eye coordination along with his balance and body control are impressive,” said Rivals writer Keenan Cummings. “Even while running full-speed, he displays the ability to adjust his body in order to make difficult catches seem easy.
“Roberson has the ability to line up in the slot or at outside receiver for West Virginia. He also could see time on special teams as a punt or kick returner.”
At Horn High School last season, he made 60 receptions for 1,057 yards and 11 touchdowns, teaming up with Oklahoma four-star quarterback commitment Chris Robison. Roberson added two more scores as a returner, earning special Teams MVP honors in his Class 6A district.
- McDougle (6-1, 295) was a one-time Washington State commit but the Deerfield Beach, Fla., native re-opened his options in September as more Power Five programs grew interested. His offers include Penn State, Louisville, Arkansas, Miami, Kentucky, Minnesota, Syracuse, and Purdue.
Rivals ranks him the nation’s No. 46 defensive tackle, while 247Sports lists him 73rd and Scout ranks him 92nd at the position.
McDougle, who helped his high school team reach last season’s Class 8A state semifinals, comes from an NFL family. His father, Stockar McDougle, was an All-Big 12 offensive lineman at Oklahoma who became a first-round pick of the Lions in 2000, while his uncle Jerome McDougle starred at the University of Miami before being taken 15th overall by the Eagles in 2003.
Much like departing senior Christian Brown, McDougle could play nose tackle or the big defensive end spot in West Virginia’s 3-3-5,
“The initial thing that pops out when watching the high school tape is how he gets great leverage and is explosive on his first step,” Cummings said.
After losing three senior starters on the defensive line, WVU hoped to land at least that many newcomers. It appears to have done so with McDougle joining commitments Jalen Harvey of Northwest Mississippi Community College and Darius Stills of Fairmont Senior High.
With national signing day on tap Wednesday, West Virginia is still pursuing Springfield, Ohio, four-star receiver Danny Davis along with several graduate transfers. At least two junior college prospects also are tentatively planning official visits during the ensuing weeks.
