National Signing Day 2016: Elijah Battle Signs With West Virginia University

Dodge City C.C. cornerback Elijah Battle has signed his National Letter of Intent to play for the West Virginia Mountaineers. The 6'1", 190-pound New Jersey native previously committed to the Mountaineers before flipping his commitment to the University of Minnesota following an official visit to the Golden Gophers, and then opening his recruitment back up in the weeks leading up to National Signing Day.

Battle, a product of Barringer High School in Newark, NJ, played two years for the Dodge City C.C. Conquistadors and racked up 94 tackles, 4 tackles-for-loss, 19 pass breakups, 1 fumble recover and 2 interceptions.

Although Battle does have the experience playing press coverage, he will most likely follow the Rasul Douglas route and see limited playing time in his first season as a Mountaineer as he learns Tony Gibson's defense and continues to improve his technique. Battle could, on the other hand, come in and impress in summer camp and fall practice and work his way right onto the depth chart. With the holes left in the West Virginia secondary, the door is certainly wide open for Battle, or any other incoming defensive back, to step up and fill one of the empty spots.

Battle also held offers from Minnesota, Arizona and Houston. He has three years to play two.