As of our January 15 update, the class had 6 remaining spots. The big news since then was the commitment of 4-start WR Shelton Gibson and the failure of JUCO S Terrell Pinson to make the grade to enroll for spring classes, which still leaves what looks to be 6 openings. Obviously, there are glaring holes at DL and CB. While there are still some offers out there, the pickins are getting slim. The good news, though, is that interest from playmakers on both sides of the ball has been picking up as of late. I'm not sure if there's a connection, but obviously the hires of Tony Gibson, Lonnie Galloway and Brian Mitchell have certainly not hurt in that regard.

Some news from this past weekend and things to keep an eye on as we start to wind down:

• Shelton Gibson visited Morgantown again this weekend, reaffirming his commitment to the Mountaineers. The icing on the cake? He brought 4-star WR and current Pitt commit Tyler Boyd with him. While Boyd's mother has made an issue of our coaches' alleged failure to reach out to her during the recruiting process, Boyd himself said on Twitter he now has some thinking to do before signing day. Take that for what it's worth, but I wouldn't sell Holgorsen and Dawson short on their ability to sell Gibson and Boyd on what Austin and Bailey were able to do in Morgantown in just two years in the Eer Raid.
• Shady Spring, WV, senior P Houstin Syvertson made a visit as well. According to his Twitter, he's being recruited as more than just a punter, having played some fullback and tight end in high school. He didn't come away with an offer, but he's at least being considered as a preferred walk-on. I'm going to keep banging the drum for the coaches to give him a scholarship. I'm not saying he would be an All-American, but I imagine a punter from West Virginia who lines up at fullback in short yardage situations may sell a few jerseys, no? I just want this kid in Morgantown one way or another, and I don't want the lure of not having student loans to cause him to end up somewhere else. Keep your fingers crossed that he's too big a Mountaineer fan to let that happen.
• We had a huge visit weekend, with Gibson and Boyd joined by OL Grant Ligafelter (a current Miami Ohio commit), JUCO RB Mario Alford and JUCO LB Brandon Golson (both current Arizona commits), and current WVU pledge Jacky Marcellustripping with high school buddy S Mackenro Alexander (undecided, but with offers from basically the entire SEC and ACC). Landing any of those would be big for the class, particularly Alford (really, check out his highlights and tell me he doesn't remind you of Steve Slaton) and Alexander, who would be huge gets even for a class heavy at their positions. It's not outside the realm of possibility to see any or all of these guys end up in the old gold and blue.
• Some names to watch going forward: ATH Marquion Lane, OL Poet Thomas, OL Dionte Savage, and S Jeremy Tyler, who visited WVU on January 18, then tripped to Vanderbilt last weekend. Savage, who is currently committed to Baylor, is scheduled to visit this weekend. No word on the others yet, but it's still early. We'll update you more later in the week.
• JUCO QB Tanner McEvoy still hasn't made up his mind but is not entertaining offers from Wisconsin and Florida, so...I'm not holding my breath there. Just keeping it real.

That's the best I have for now. It could be really interesting to see how this class finishes off. With 6 spots to go, is there room for guys like Alford and Boyd given our needs if Savage, Lane and Thomas all want in? I think you make room for talent like that then sort everything out later. If you catch wind of anyone or anything else, please share in the comments!