MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – With all due respect to Clement Clarke Moore, a bit of pre-signing day doggerel:
‘Tis the weekend before signing day
And throughout Morgantown
Mountaineer fans are stirring
To see who will jot their name down.
Dana Holgorsen handed out offers with care
But don’t hold your breath
If you expect a quarterback in there.
On linemen! On receivers!
On defensive backs who like blitzin’
Here’s a look at who WVU already has
And who still might be missin’
Quarterback
Returning: Jack Allison (Jr.), Trey Lowe (R-Fr.)
Commits: None
Look for the Mountaineers to be active in a transfer market that has netted them the likes of Allison, Will Grier and Clint Trickett in the past.
Running backs
Returning: Kennedy McKoy (Sr.), Martell Pettaway (Sr.), Leddie Brown (So.), Alec Sinkfield (So.)
Commit: Tony Mathis (Cedartown, Ga.)
Mathis is a luxury for the Mountaineers, who will need to hit this position harder in the next recruiting cycle.
Wide receivers
Returning: Marcus Simms (Sr.), TJ Simmons (Jr.), Tevin Bush (Jr.), Isaiah Esdale (Jr.), Ricky Johns (So.), Randy Fields (Fr.), Sam James (Fr.), Dillon Spalding (Fr.), Bryce Wheaton (Fr.)
Commits: Winston Wright (Savannah, Ga.), Tampa (Fla.), Terence Doston (Tampa, Fla.)
West Virginia is making a major push to land 3-star recruit Ali Jennings this week. Expect the Mountaineers to push for a fourth receiver to sign in Februrary or later through the grad transfer market. Outside of Marcus Simms, this is a fairly green position going into next season.
Tight ends
Returning: Jovani Haskins (Jr.), Mike O’Laughlin (R-Fr.), T.J. Banks (R-Fr.)
Commits: None
WVU may be set at this position for this year and next.
Offensive line
Returning: Colton McKivitz (Sr.), Matt Jones (Sr.), Kelby Wickline (Sr.), Mike Brown (Sr.), Joe Brown (Jr.), Josh Sills (Jr.), Chase Behrndt (Jr.), Jacob Buccigrossi (Jr.), Tyler Thurmond (So.), Blaine Scott (R-Fr.), Briason Mays (R-Fr.), Oyenmwen Uzebu (R-Fr.)
Commits: Donavan Beaver (Spotsylvania, Va.), Parker Moorer (Charlotte, N.C.), Brandon Yates (Las Vegas, Nev.)
Of note: USC is making a late push for Bates. The Mountaineers should have the luxury of redshirting anybody they sign for the line thanks to an experienced and fairly deep group returning next year.
Defensive end
Returning: Reese Donahue (Sr.), Stone Wolfley (Sr.), Jeffery Pooler (Jr.), Dante Stills (So.), Tyrese Allen (R-Fr.), Tavis Lee (R-Fr.)
Commit: Taijh Alston (Copiah-Lincoln C.C.)
Defensive tackle
Returning: Darius Stills (Jr.), James Gmiter (R-Fr.)
Commit: Jalen Thornton (Indian Hill, Ohio)
WVU will have enough front-line talent on its defensive front next year, but could use a couple more players to beef up its depth. A transfer who can make an Ezekiel Rose or Kenny Bigelow-like impact would be ideal.
Linebacker
Returning: David Long (Sr.), Quondarius Qualls (Sr.), Adam Hensley (Sr.), Shea Campbell (Sr.), Dylan Tonkery (Jr.), Charlie Benton (Jr.), Brendan Ferns (Jr.), Zach Sandwisch (Jr.), VanDarius Cowan (So.), Josh Chandler (So.), Exree Loe (So.)
Commit: Jared Bartlett (Suwanee, Ga.)
Long has not yet announced whether he will enter the NFL Draft, so he shall be marked down as “returning” until that decision is made.
If everyone can stay healthy – a big if – this will be a fairly deep position next year with or without Long. Cowan, seeking a second chance after being dismissed from Alabama, is an X-factor.
Safety
Returning: JoVanni Stewart (Sr.), Deamonte Lindsay (Sr.), Kenny Robinson (Jr.), Derrek Pitts (Jr.), Sean Mahone (Jr.), Eugene Brown (So.), Kwantel Raines (R-Fr.)
Commits: Tykee Smith (Philadelphia, Pa.), Osita Smith (Columbia, Md.)
The aforementioned linebacker depth should allow Stewart to slide back to safety. The Mountaineers are also making a push for Tykee Smith’s high school teammate, Isheem Young. A Penn State commit since July, Young is one of this weekend’s visitors to WVU.
Cornerback
Returning: Josh Norwood (Sr.), Keith Washington (Sr.), Hakeem Bailey (Sr.), Jordan Adams (Sr.), Jacob Long (Jr.)
Commits: Nicktroy Fortune (Lawrenceville, Ga.), Kerry Martin (Charleston, W.Va), Dreshun Miller (Eastern Arizona C.C.)
It’s impossible to have too many corners in the Big 12. The Mountaineers are making a push to add Tavian Mayo, another prospect from Georgia. Miller, the former LSU commit, is also a Georgia native.
Kicker
Returning: Evan Staley (Jr.)
Commit: Kolton McGhee (Altoona, Pa.)
Punter
Returning: Evan Staley (Jr.)
Staley, listed as Billy Kinney’s backup this season, is presumably in line to take over punting duties next year.