Listen Now: Morning News

Two defensive players announce WVU commitments over weekend

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — The addition of two defensive players highlighted a big recruiting weekend for Neal Brown and West Virginia.

DE/OLB Lanell Carr

Though it isn’t a formal case of quid pro quo, West Virginia received an appropriate exchange gift from the City of St. Louis after the NHL’s Blues adopted “Country Roads” as a team anthem during their Stanley Cup run.

Lanell Carr, a 6-foot-3, 230-pound outside linebacker/defensive end from St. Louis’ De Smet Jesuit High, committed to West Virginia on Sunday.

Carr is in line to be the second Missourian to ever sign with West Virginia’s football program, joining current offensive lineman Chase Behrndt. A three-star recruit, Carr chose the Mountaineers over interest from Kansas State, Georgia Tech, Indiana, Missouri and Arkansas.

Carr was the first player to go public in a potentially fruitful weekend for the Mountaineers’ future. Brown tweeted “Let’s Go!” — his Twitter catchphrase for when West Virginia lands a commitment — four times over the weekend.

Maryland athlete David Okoli was the second player to announce a commitment to West Virginia over the weekend.

CB David Okoli

West Virginia’s Father’s Day weekend recruiting haul includes a commitment from Gaithersburg, Md. athlete David Okoli.

A two-way player in high school , Okoli is coming to West Virginia to play cornerback. Few positions are more valuable to the Mountaineers in the Class of 2020 since there are four seniors at the position on this year’s roster.

The 5-foot-11, 176-pound Okoli is ranked as a three-star recruit by every service except for 247Sports, which has him as a four-star.

Speed is his strength. Okoli was timed at 4.52 seconds in The Opening regional recruiting event in May.

Okoli had offers from Cincinnati, East Carolina, Kentucky, Temple and UConn.

West Virginia’s commitments for 2020:

David Okoli (Gaithersburg, Md.)   5-11, 176 CB           3 stars

Lanell Carr (St. Louis, Mo.)   6-3, 230 OLB           3 stars

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        2 stars





More Sports

Sports
WVU boosts NCAA Regional resume with fifth place finish in the Big 12 Championship
April 24, 2024 - 10:51 pm
Sports
Greenbrier West collects 15th victory with 10-1 win at Nicholas County
The Cavaliers used a six-run fifth inning to sweep their season series with the Grizzlies.
April 24, 2024 - 10:05 pm
Sports
Once new to America and college football, Vesterinen enters senior season understanding his role and responsibilities
Edward Vesterinen came to Morgantown trying to learn American football. Three years later, he finds himself a veteran helping the younger players along the defensive line.
April 24, 2024 - 4:49 pm
Sports
Huntington native Dawson first portal pickup for new head coach Jackson
Dawson, who played at Huntington Prep and Huntington High, is heading back home for his final season of eligibility after transferring from Akron.
April 24, 2024 - 2:55 pm