West Virginia Football Recruiting Update: In-State Flips to WVU

Despite missing out on the #2 prospect in West Virginia, WVU still got some good news Monday. Two more commitments were announced for the Mountaineers.

Tyler Thurmond (Buford, GA - Buford High School)

Sometimes its good to be first. The Mountaineers were the first Power 5 school to offer Tyler Thurmond and he remained loyal to the Mountaineers by committing on Monday. A 6’-6” tackle out of Buford, Georgia, Thurmond held multiple offers and began to garner attention from other Power 5 schools including North Carolina State and Maryland. By offering early, the Mountaineers were able to make an impression on the Georgian, who said “"It's something I will definitely remember for the rest of my life," he said at the time.”.

At only 275 pounds, Buford will need to put on weight with the help of strength and conditioning coach Mike Joseph. Ron Crook, who along with territory representative Blue Adams, helped recruit Thurmond. Crook has helped make the Mountaineers offensive line one of the strongest in the Big 12.

Buford has been a consistent threat in Georgia, going 13-2 last year. The Wolves have their sights set on a state title, something Tyler hopes to achieve in his senior year.

Thurmond marks the second high school offensive lineman of the 2017 recruiting cycle, joining Fort Lauderdale lineman Cody Bowes. If you include Tennessee transfer Ray Raulerson, the Mountaineers now have three linemen for 2017.

Darius Stills (Fairmont, WV - Fairmont High School)

What the hell Nite? A legacy player committed to Rutgers? F#@$#@ Rutgers over his homestate Mountaineers? Yeah, remember when I told you WVU was losing in-state prospects? Here was another.

Well that’s curious. The Mountaineers waited until AFTER Still had committed to Rutgers to even extend him an offer.

There you go. Never let family get away. Still is the son of former great Gary Stills, who set a school record for sacks in a single game. Stills had 4 sacks in the 1997 game against Marshall.

His son Darius was obviously waiting on an offer from the home state Mountaineers and once he received it, he committed. His father was ecstatic.

Darius, standing at 6’-2” and 280 pounds, gives the Mountaineers a big body on the defensive line. The ability to anchor offensive linemen in Tony Gibson’s 3-3-5 defense is critical. Depending on where he plays, whether he moves outside to the defensive end or stays inside as a nose tackle, Stills already has the size to compete.

Stills was a first team All-Big 10 and USA Today All-West Virginia selection in 2015. And he's ranked the No. 8 prospect in West Virginia by 247Sports.com.