MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — West Virginia billed its weekend camp the “Showtime Event,” and three commitments made Saturday eventful.
In-state prospect Kerry Martin of Capital High in Charleston, long considered to be there for the Mountaineers’ taking if they wanted him, sensed he was a priority and pledged to WVU over offers Rutgers, Army and Cincinnati. The 6-foot-2 standout high school quarterback is a Rivals two-star recruit who projects as a defensive back in college.
“I just feel comfortable and loved here in this state and I want to continue the legacy that’ll be left behind,” Martin told Rivals.
In a tweet, Martin wrote:
“After many prayers and talks with my family, I am proud to announce that I’m Already Home and 1000% COMMITTED to West Virginia University.”
Three-star defensive back La’Darius Henry of St. Petersburg, Fla., gives West Virginia another rangy body for the secondary. Henry holds 20 offers including Florida, Oregon, Iowa State, Minnesota and Maryland.
At 6-foot-3 and 175 pounds, he figures to grow into a safety but hopes to capitalize on tall cornerback.
“I want to work at corner,” Henry told Rivals. “That’s where the money is at.”
Saturday’s splashiest commitment came from four-star receiver Isaiah Hazel, a Rivals top-200 prospect from Upper Marlboro, Md., who figures to play outside. His recently released top seven included Alabama, Michigan, Tennessee, Ole Miss, Virginia Tech and Maryland.
He’s the No. 4-rated prospect in Maryland, with two of the state’s top three prospects committed to Alabama.
Hazel’s team at Wise High School team enters the season with a 42-game winning streak and three consecutive Class 4A state championships.
With 11 commitments, West Virginia’s 2019 class climbed eight spots to 52nd in the Rivals rankings.
The Mountaineers hope to score another commitment this week from four-star cornerback Marlin Devonshire of Aliquippa, Pa., who’s considering Penn State, Pitt and Michigan State. And Sunday night brings the commitment ceremony of University High’s three-star athlete Amir Richardson, who also has Pitt and Georgia Tech among his finalists.