MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Three-star junior college defensive end Larry Jefferson signed with West Virginia on Wednesday afternoon, becoming the first official member of the Mountaineers’ 2015 recruiting class.
The 6-foot-5, 230-pounder from Itawamba (Miss.) Community College submitted his national letter of intent with plans to enroll for spring semester. His recruitment took multiple turns as Jefferson committed to West Virginia in October, flipped to Iowa State only 11 days later, and finally recommitted to WVU on Nov. 25.
ESPN ranks Jefferson as the No. 8 junior college defensive end and Rivals touts him as the No. 28 junior college prospect overall. He made 67 tackles in two seasons at Itawamba, including 16.5 for loss.
Jefferson also held offers from Kansas State, Missouri, Kentucky, Maryland, Miami, South Florida and Cal.
He was an all-state player at Banneker (Ga.) High, where he played linebacker and receiver. Jefferson also starred on the basketball team and was a sprinter in the 400- and 200-meter events. He originally was bound for Louisville in the class of 2012 before failing to qualify academically.
West Virginia is losing three of the four players who started games at defensive end this season, with Shaq Riddick, Dontrill Hyman and Brandon Golson’s eligibility expiring after the Dec. 29 Liberty Bowl.