Dana Holgorsen’s 2016 10-win season continues to be the base on which this latest recruiting class is built on. Taking his shiny new contract on the road when he recruits, Holgorsen has been able to build a class that is going to go down as the best in West Virginia history. The class is already ranked 25th by 247sports and 18th by Rivals. The latest commitment by Virginia receiver Dillon Spalding is only going to push this class higher in the rankings.
Spalding hails from Lorton, Virginia, on the I-95 corridor outside of Washington, DC. In fact, Lorton, VA is only 25 miles from Stafford, Virginia, home of current Mountaineer receiver Gary Jennings, who leads the team in both receptions (94) and receiving yards (1,030).
1 0 0 % C O M M I T T E D... pic.twitter.com/xnAve4xqMU
— Dillon Spalding (@DillonSpalding) November 28, 2017
Quotables
247Sports
Spalding is a big, physical prospect at wide receiver with good body control. He runs good routes and has great hands. Spalding does a nice job of finding open spots in defenses and is able to use his big frame to help create separation. He also attacks the ball at its highest point and is tough to bring down once the ball is in his hands.
Measurables
Height: 6’ 2”
Weight: 210 lbs.
Power 5 Offers - Michigan, Indiana, NC State, Rutgers, Syracuse, Tennessee, Vanderbilt, Virginia, Virginia Tech, Wake Forest
Big 4 Ratings:
- 247Sports - 3* (88 rating)
- Rivals - 3* (5.6 rating)
- ESPN - 3* (77 rating)
Senior year highlights:
The Smoking Musket Analysis
In Two Words - if you have to remember just two things about this player...
- Physical
- Hand-catcher
Absurd Comparisons
The location comparisons don’t stop there for Spalding as he reminds me a lot of Gary Jennings. Both are over 6-feet tall, both are over 200 pounds and both have extremely strong hands.
Scheme Fit
Much like Jennings, Spalding will be able to do the dirty work between the endzones. Spalding’s ability to catch the ball away from his body and shield defenders will give quarterbacks confidence to fit throws into tight spaces and move the chains. West Virginia’s offense works best when it can pick up first downs quickly and on third down, Spalding gives WVU a player who can convert.
Impact on Other Prospects?
Spalding in the fourth true wide receiver in this class, after Sam James, Bryce Wheaton and Randy Fields. Dillon also makes the 21st commitment for the class. Given that Dana likes to keep one to two spots open for players to transfer and the receivers already in the class, I wouldn’t expect anymore receivers unless someone we can’t pass up falls into our lap.