PARKERSBURG, W.Va. — A handful of in-state football prospects have made news over the last couple of weeks, receiving D-I scholarship offers.
For the Class of 2019, Huntington lineman Darnell Wright (rated No. 2 nationally by Rivals) and Spring Valley lineman Doug Nester (Ohio State commit) have garnered much of the headlines over the last couple of years.
Standouts like University receiver/defensive back Amir Richardson and Capital quarterback/defensive back Kerry Martin, Jr. have also put together a strong list of D-I offers, including WVU.
Martinsburg’s Dewayne Grantham is committed to West Virginia for the 2019 class as well.
But it’s one of the state’s other top prospects who has taken the biggest overall leap this summer in Parkersburg receiver Brenton Strange, being recruited as a tight end at the next level.
Strange, a 6-foot-5, 210 pound rising senior, entered the summer with one D-I offer coming from Rutgers. He had been to camps at Marshall and West Virginia in years past, but was looking for more exposure heading into his senior year.
“My expectations were to get seen,” Strange said. “I went to a Rivals camp and got some exposure. Purdue offered me after the Rivals camp. Since then, I’ve been going to school camps and working out for them individually.”
Strange’s overall size and mobility caught the attention coaching staffs as he picked up a slew of other D-I offers that included Cincinnati, Marshall, Maryland and North Carolina.
His stock rose even more when both Ohio State and Notre Dame extended offers as well, catapulting Strange to Rivals’ third rated in-state 2019 prospect, behind Wright and Nester.
“It’s really awesome to have offers from Ohio State and Notre Dame,” Strange said. “They’re both great places – the schools and their programs. They like my size and I can move really well and jump really well for a tight end recruit.
“I have a really good frame, but I only weigh about 211-212 pounds,” he continued. “I’m going to try and get to 215-220 pounds before the season starts and just try to work my way up.”
Strange is visiting Ohio State again on Saturday.
“I had planned on committing to a school this summer, but my recruiting has taken off a little bit more,” Strange said. “I think I am going to take all of my official visits and probably commit this fall sometime.”
In all, Strange entered the weekend with 14 D-I offers, but said he hasn’t had much contact with West Virginia, specifically.
Regardless, the senior has made a significant impact overall this summer on the recruiting trail, adding another name to the list of D-I prospects from the state.
“It’s been really exciting going on official visits, being able to take my mom and brother with me,” he said. “I’m looking forward to my senior season – we have a really tough schedule, but I think we’re going to come out as one of the best teams in the state.”
Strange last year finished with 56 catches for 938 yards and 12 touchdowns.