Cleveland Heights (Ohio) wide receiver Shelton Gibson, after listing Ohio State as his leader in recent weeks, spurned the Buckeyes on Wednesday by committing to West Virginia.

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Top-100 recruit Shelton Gibson told Rivals his talks with Tavon Austin and offensive coordinator Shannon Dawson led him to WVU, a program that wasn’t in his top 10 a few months ago.

Gibson’s decision was first reported by Rivals, which rates him the No. 98 overall prospect in the 2013 class and the No. 4 prospect in Ohio.

The four-star Gibson told Rivals last week that he planned on waiting until Signing Day to reveal his destination, but his announcement arrived a few weeks early, with Gibson crediting the persistence of WVU offensive coordinator Shannon Dawson.

“I can’t state enough how big of a pull Shelton Gibson is for West Virginia,” said Keenan Cummings, senior writer with WVsports.com of the Rivals network. “An absolutely electric playmaker, Gibson has the ability to score every time he touches the football and should find no problems fitting into Dana Holgorsen’s offensive system.

“Gibson will line up at wide receiver for the Mountaineers and should have every opportunity to make an impact early in his career.”

The 6-foot-1, 175-pounder said discussions with outgoing receiver Tavon Austin also factored into his decision. With Austin and Stedman Bailey bound for the NFL, Gibson will get a chance to compete for playing time. Even with Austin and Bailey combining for 228 catches and 37 receiving touchdowns this past season, West Virginia played two true freshman receivers.

Gibson said he also seriously considered Tennessee and Kentucky. He holds offers from Auburn, Louisville, Mississippi State, Nebraska, N.C. State, Pitt and Vanderbilt.

His Rivals profile shows 4.42 speed in the 40, a 34-inch vertical and a 3.1 grade-point average.

Allan Taylor

ataylor@wvradio.com
@AllanTaylorWVU
Allan Taylor joined MetroNews in August 2012, following 18 years of newspaper, magazine and multimedia work as an SEC columnist, sports editor, assistant sports editor, managing editor, news reporter and media consultant.
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Comments

  • Big Tom

    big tom says , way to go wvu, we can certainly put this play making ability to work right away,,, big tom likes this , keep um coming.

    January 16, 2013 at 5:32 pm | Reply Report comment

  • Wemakerain

    Best wide receiver recruit we have ever actually had (remember) Tavon was a running back, and Stedman "overachieved" according to the scouts. Great pick up, let's get a few more before signing day

    January 16, 2013 at 5:44 pm | Reply Report comment

  • Robert

    Good luck Shelton. Welcome to WVU!

    January 16, 2013 at 6:11 pm | Reply Report comment

  • unclec

    Welcome to W V thanks Tavon go eers

    January 16, 2013 at 6:23 pm | Reply Report comment

  • Habib Haddad

    Shakin', Bakin' Shelton! Welcome to WVU.

    January 16, 2013 at 6:33 pm | Reply Report comment

    • shelton gibson

      I like that name I want that as my nick name mr.shackin bakin Gibson I love that ..

      January 18, 2013 at 2:03 am | Reply Report comment

  • Big Harv lantz

    I love the signing..the up swing at Morgantown just keeps getting bettet

    January 16, 2013 at 6:39 pm | Reply Report comment

  • Arch Moore

    WOW!!! Can not wait till fall! Welcome to WVU, keep working hard, the sky is the limit for you in this high octane offense!

    January 16, 2013 at 7:58 pm | Reply Report comment

  • chad

    Talk to me on signing day. Verbal commit means 0

    January 17, 2013 at 9:14 am | Reply Report comment

  • Ragweed

    Welcome Mr. Gibson. We are glad to have you as a future Mountaineer.

    January 17, 2013 at 9:40 am | Reply Report comment

  • Doug

    WELCOME TO WV SHELTON!!!

    January 17, 2013 at 2:04 pm | Reply Report comment

  • shelton gibson

    get ready to hear this a lot OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO.... WVU FIRST DOWN

    January 18, 2013 at 2:09 am | Reply Report comment

  • WVWho

    Lots of rumblings in that he is still taking his official to Tennessee tomorrow and is anxious to go. Getting him on campus with the opp to replace two first round picks at wide out will be a big selling point. Although he's "committed" I believe it's 60/40 WVU as of today, but a lot can change over the weekend.

    January 18, 2013 at 10:01 am | Reply Report comment

  • WV Patriot

    I will believe it when the ink is dry. But kudos to the recruiting staff. Hope it works out! Mr. Gibson, welcome to Mountaineer football and the best fans in the nation. You will have no regrets.

    January 18, 2013 at 11:08 am | Reply Report comment

  • Stan

    Welcome to WVU Football !

    January 18, 2013 at 1:11 pm | Reply Report comment

  • Dig D

    Welcome Shelton ( once a mountaineer always mountaineer)

    January 19, 2013 at 7:27 pm | Reply Report comment

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