10:06am: Talkline with Hoppy Kercheval

Junior college linebacker S.L. McCall commits to West Virginia

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — S.L. McCall gave himself a gift on his birthday.

McCall, a 6-foot-3, 200-pound linebacker from Iowa Western Junior College, chose his birthday as the day to commit to West Virginia. He is a member of the 2020 recruiting class.

McCall projects to play at the primarily pass-rushing Bandit position, which is currently occupied by VanDarius Cowan and Zach Sandwisch.

The Mountaineers are taking a leap of faith with McCall, who sat out last season after not qualifying academically out of high school. He will play for the Reivers this season and have three years left to play at West Virginia.

Rivals.com’s Keenan Cummings said that the interest is unsurprising given the strength of McCall’s high school film.

WVU is the first Power 5 program to offer McCall. Several Group of 5 schools were pursuing him, including Houston, South Florida, Troy and Arkansas State.

That McCall picked West Virginia over Houston is noteworthy in at least one sense. Former West Virginia coach Dana Holgorsen left for Houston in January, and difficulty recruiting to West Virginia was among his rationale for taking that job.

Inside linebackers coach Blake Seiler, whose territory includes Iowa junior colleges, was McCall’s primary recruiter. McCall is originally from Lake City, Fla. He is the fifth player to commit to West Virginia’s 2020 class, though Bowling Green transfer quarterback Jarret Doege may end up reclassifying as a member of that class as well.

West Virginia’s commitments for 2020:

Garrett Greene (Tallahassee, Fla.) 6-0, 175 QB 3 stars
Aaron Lewis (Williamstown, N.J.) 6-4, 240 DE 3 stars
Reese Smith (Danville, Ky.) 5-11, 175 WR 3 stars
Devell Washington (Bay City, Mich.) 6-4, 215 WR 3 stars
S.L. McCall (Iowa Western CC/Lake City, Fla.) 6-3, 200 OLB N/A




More WVU Sports

Sports
Beanie Bishop posts top 40-yard dash time at Big 12 Pro Day
March 29, 2024 - 1:21 am
Sports
Tucker DeVries prepares to shoulder challenges awaiting in Big 12
A two-time Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Year, Tucker DeVries will spend his senior season at West Virginia. As he gets acclimated to a new program, DeVries' focus is on improving the health in his right shoulder after undergoing surgery on it Tuesday.
March 28, 2024 - 4:54 pm
Sports
Darian DeVries welcomed as West Virginia men's basketball coach
DeVries eager for what's to come in what marks second head coaching gig.
March 28, 2024 - 2:57 pm
Sports
Greene strives for improved accuracy through extra emphasis on fundamentals, mechanics
West Virginia quarterback Garett Greene felt he could've gotten more out of the 2023 season, and his completion percentage is a major reason why.
March 27, 2024 - 7:58 pm