Talkline with Hoppy Kercheval  Watch |  Listen

Pennsylvania 4-star tight end boosts Mountaineers’ class into top 25

T.J. Banks, a 6-foot-6 four-star prospect from North Versailles, Pa., committed to West Virginia on Wednesday.

 

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — West Virginia landed a commitment Wednesday night from Rivals four-star recruit T.J. Banks, a 6-foot-6 prospect who could play tight end or defensive end in college.

Out of East Allegheny High in North Versailles, Pa., Banks holds offers from Pitt, Maryland, Illinois, Syracuse, Cincinnati and Rutgers.

His commitment lifted West Virginia’s class six spots to No. 25 in the 2018 national rankings.

The Mountaineers have two other high school tight ends committed for this cycle, along with Miami transfer Jovani Haskins, who’s currently sitting out before becoming eligible next season.

“Banks isn’t just a big-bodied tight end — he also has the athleticism to actually line up at wide receiver for his high school team,” said Rivals writer Keenan Cummings.

“We’re working under the assumption that Banks will begin his career on the offensive side when he arrives at West Virginia. On the defensive side, however, Banks is quick off the ball, has great flexibility, shows good change of direction and pursues the ball from sideline to sideline.”

Several programs prefer Banks as a defensive lineman, though he wants to give offense a try first. He told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette in August that Pitt coaches had stopped recruiting him because they didn’t have a spot for another tight end in this class.

The Mountaineers are back to 18 commitments in this class after Houston receiver Ralph Davis recently re-opened his recruitment, according to a Rivals report on WVSports.com.

West Virginia’s commitments for 2018:

Dante Stills (Fairmont, W.Va..) 6-4, 265 DL 4 stars
Leddie Brown (Smyrna, Del.) 6-1, 190 RB 4 stars
T.J. Banks (North Versailles, Pa.) 6-6, 240 TE/DE 4 stars
Joshua Norwood (Senatobia, Miss) 5-11, 185 DB 3 stars
Charlie Benton (El Dorado, Kan.) 6-3, 215 LB 3 stars
Randy Fields (Baltimore, Md.) 6-3, 190 WR 3 stars
Trey Lowe (Bolivar, Tenn.) 6-3, 175 QB 3 stars
Briason Mays (Bolivar, Tenn.) 6-4, 290 OG 3 stars
James Gmiter (Bethel Park, Pa.) 6-4, 300 DT 3 stars
Sam James (Richmond, Hill, Ga.) 6-1, 160 WR 3 stars
Mike O’Laughlin (Oak Park, Ill.) 6-5, 215 TE 3 stars
Tyrese Allen (Paintsville, Ky.) 6-3, 290 DT 3 stars
Josh Chandler (Canton, Ohio) 6-0, 220 LB 2 stars
TJ Ivy (Chicago) 6-5, 217 TE 3 stars
Jayce Rogers (Valdosta, Ga.) 5-8, 160 CB 3 stars
Oyenmwen Uzebu (Alpharetta, Ga.) 6-6, 300 OT 3 stars
Bryce Wheaton (Holly Springs, N.C.) 6-3, 200 ATH 3 stars
Alex Williams (Pickerington, Ohio) 6-3, 200 OL 3 stars




More Sports

High School Sports
Lincoln seeks fourth consecutive playoff appearance in 2024
The Cougars made program history with their third consecutive postseason appearance last fall.
June 17, 2024 - 9:19 am
High School Sports
Names change, expectations the same as Bridgeport prepares for fourth season under Tyler Phares
The Indians have won at least one playoff game in 17 consecutive seasons.
June 16, 2024 - 1:00 pm
High School Sports
Two-point conversion stop in overtime lifts the South over the North, 21-20
The South Cardinals scored 21 points after halftime to win the annual All-Star game.
June 15, 2024 - 6:27 pm
High School Sports
South takes control with strong third quarter in 86-79 victory against North
Shady Spring's Ammar Maxwell scored 32 points to lead the South to a win.
June 15, 2024 - 12:46 am