The Smoking Musket - West Virginia Football Recruiting: National Signing Day 2017 Commits, Signings, NewsChanging The Culture Of West Virginia Sportshttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/52574/tsm_fav.png2017-02-01T16:28:37-05:00http://www.smokingmusket.com/rss/stream/141581792017-02-01T16:28:37-05:002017-02-01T16:28:37-05:00Meet The Class of 2017 - Official West Virginia Signing Day Video
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<p>Check out this year’s installment of the 'Meet The Class' official National Signing Day highlight video</p> <h1 id="hvYjmE">LET’S GO MOUNTAINEERS!</h1>
https://www.smokingmusket.com/2017/2/1/14477370/west-virginia-wvu-mountaineers-national-signing-day-letter-of-intent-introduction-videoMichael Miller2017-02-01T10:33:19-05:002017-02-01T10:33:19-05:00Versatile running back Alec Sinkfield signs with West Virginia
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<figcaption>Alec Sinkfield \ Twitter: @SinkfieldAlec</figcaption>
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<p>JaJuan Sieder recruits a dynamic back with pass-catching prowess.</p> <p id="y9OJTl"><strong>Alec Sinkfield</strong>, from Delray Beach, Florida, has chosen to play football at West Virginia over Kentucky and Louisville, among other schools. The 5’10” running back is also listed as a <a href="http://www.scout.com/player/191048-alec-sinkfield/recruiting?year=2016&s=159">receiver by some recruiting sites</a>. </p>
<p id="eVMEEC">Though he made a hard verbal commitment to WVU on May 12, 2016, many experts predicted Sinkfield would choose to play for Kentucky. JaJuan Seider was able to convince the flexible back to stick to his commitment and sign to play for the Mountaineers. </p>
<p id="WU6iPm">Sinkfield played for American Heritage School in Boca/Delray, and while the Stallions struggled to a 2-7 record in 2016, Alec’s performance on the field was a highlight of their season. Sinkfield got off to a hot start in the Patriots’ season opener, going for 165 yards and two touchdowns on 16 carries.</p>
<p id="MnX230">Sinkfield also received offers from Florida Atlantic, Illinois, North Carolina, Pitt, Purdue, Syracuse and Utah State, but his Twitter profile has stated that he is a WVU commit. </p>
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https://www.smokingmusket.com/2017/2/1/14455232/alec-sinkfield-west-virginia-wvu-mountaineers-national-signing-day-letter-of-intentBartimusPrime2017-02-01T10:17:06-05:002017-02-01T10:17:06-05:00Florida defensive lineman Lamonte McDougle signs with West Virginia
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<figcaption>Lamonte McDougle \ Twitter: @lamontesavage</figcaption>
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<p>The Mountaineer front seven keeps getting beefier</p> <p id="3LN9Ij">Deerfield Beach H.S. standout <strong>Lamonte McDougle</strong> just made his commitment to West Virginia official with his signed National Letter of Intent.</p>
<p id="3z6gog">The 6’-1”, 295lb defensive tackle committed to the Mountaineers on Monday. McDougle was previously committed to Washington State, but opened his recruitment back up in September.</p>
<p id="geCuPX">McDougle has excellent lower body strength, and is very athletic and quick on his feet. Lamonte is able to get up in under his blocker and drive them into the backfield to disrupt the quarterback. There’s a good chance McDougle could forego his redshirt year for the 2017 season and crack the two-deep, because of his size and ability.</p>
<p id="ulJpDW">McDougle is a three-star prospect across the three major recruiting services, and chose West Virginia over offers from Penn State, Washington State, Tennessee and North Carolina.</p>
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https://www.smokingmusket.com/2017/2/1/14469628/lamonte-mcdougle-west-virginia-wvu-mountaineers-national-signing-day-letter-of-intentMichael Miller2017-02-01T09:49:36-05:002017-02-01T09:49:36-05:00Western PA star Kenny Robinson signs with West Virginia
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<figcaption>Kenny Robinson / Twitter: @KR5__</figcaption>
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<p>The Mountaineers pull another one out of Pitts backyard.</p> <p id="P29FXz">Imani Christian Academy standout <strong>Kenny Robinson </strong>sent his National Letter of Intent to the West Virginia coaching staff this morning, and will be continuing his football career as a Mountaineer.</p>
<p id="Jk0pMe">The Pittsburgh-area native originally committed to West Virginia at the end of October, but the Iowa State’s Matt Campbell and his staff began to put the full-court press shortly afterward. Robinson visited the Cyclones the weekend of January 13th and followed that up with a visit to Morgantown the following weekend, where he reaffirmed his commitment to Mountaineer head coach Dana Holgorsen and shut his recruitment down.</p>
<p id="wioljr">The 6’-2”, 200lb athlete is projected to play as a safety in West Virginia’s defense, but could bulk up a bit and move to an outside linebacker spot sometime down the road, if necessary. Robinson camped at West Virginia in 2015 and won the camp MVP award after lining up on both sides of the ball in the 95-degree weather that day, showing off his talent and stamina. </p>
<p id="3PNT2W">In addition to West Virginia and Iowa State, Robinson held offers from Pittsburgh, Virginia Tech and Cincinnati.</p>
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https://www.smokingmusket.com/2017/2/1/14463376/kenny-robinson-west-virginia-mountaineers-national-signing-day-letter-of-intentMichael Miller2017-02-01T09:15:47-05:002017-02-01T09:15:47-05:00WVU adds to receiver depth with Texas standout Reggie Roberson
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<figcaption>Reggie Roberson \ Twitter: @TheKingReggie</figcaption>
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<p>West Virginia may have just walked away with one of the steals of this recruiting class</p> <p id="eiFNWR">Mesquite Horn (TX) standout Reggie Roberson, who announced his commitment on Monday night, has signed his National Letter of Intent and will be making his way to Morgantown, West Virginia this summer.</p>
<p id="xisM23">The 6’-0”, 180lb wide-out hauled in 60 passes for 1057 yards and 11 touchdowns as a senior for the Horn Jaguars. Roberson’s size, combined with his above-average speed and ability to make adjustments to the ball, makes him the perfect inside receiver in Dana Holgorsen’s offense. Roberson is also a threat on kickoff and punt returns, and will likely make an impact on special teams early in his collegiate career. </p>
<p id="lvJoHQ">With West Virginia’s depth at the receiver spot, Roberson will most likely redshirt his true freshman season, but should find himself in a Daikeil Shorts-type role when he finally sees the field for the Mountaineers.</p>
<p id="H4rWaC">Roberson chose the Mountaineers over Utah, Illinois and Washington State, among others.</p>
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https://www.smokingmusket.com/2017/2/1/14464990/reggie-roberson-west-virginia-wvu-mountaineers-national-signing-day-2017-letter-of-intentMichael Miller2017-02-01T08:56:35-05:002017-02-01T08:56:35-05:00West Virginia inks Georgia offensive lineman Tyler Thurmond
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<figcaption>Tyler Thurmond \ Twitter: @thurmond_tyler</figcaption>
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<p>The Mountaineers sign another long, athletic lineman</p> <p id="Ap2JTe">The <a href="https://www.smokingmusket.com/">West Virginia Mountaineers</a> have a type when it comes to offensive lineman, and Buford H.S. (GA) lineman <strong>Tyler</strong> <strong>Thurmond</strong> fits the mold.</p>
<p id="y1VEZ5">The 6’-6”, 275lb offensive tackle from Buford, Georgia committed to West Virginia back in August and never wavered his commitment, even after his lead recruiter Ron Crook left the program after the 2016 season. Thurmond will most likely redshirt his first year as a Mountaineer, as most offensive lineman do, but could see the rapid success that <span>Colton McKivitz</span> and <span>Yodny Cajuste</span> have seen at West Virginia.</p>
<p id="1OYEMN">Thurmond is a consensus three-star prospect across the three major recruiting services, chose the Mountaineers over offers from Arkansas State, Georgia State and Old Dominion.</p>
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https://www.smokingmusket.com/2017/2/1/14468706/tyler-thurmond-west-virginia-wvu-mountaineers-national-signing-day-letter-of-intentMichael Miller2017-02-01T08:20:32-05:002017-02-01T08:20:32-05:00West Virginia adds another in-state legacy with Darius Stills
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<figcaption>Chris Anderson \ 247Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The name should sound familiar to Mountaineer fans.</p> <p id="NWNJnh">Fairmont Senior (WV) defensive tackle <strong>Darius Stills</strong> won’t have far to travel to continue his football career. The eldest son of West Virginia great Gary Stills signed with the Mountaineers this morning.</p>
<p id="qreG6Y">The 6’-1”, 295 defensive lineman originally committed to Rutgers in July of last year, but an offer from West Virginia just two days later changed his mind and he committed to the Mountaineers on the spot.</p>
<p id="DIMlw4">Over the last couple months Stills has worked on getting in shape, something the major recruiting services were critical about. Stills projects to play as a strong-side defensive end if he continues with his current progression, but could also bulk up and move inside to the nose tackle position.</p>
<p id="BgBKpD">Stills is listed as a three-star player on 247Sports and Rivals, chose the Mountaineers over offers from Rutgers, Appalachian State and Kent State.</p>
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https://www.smokingmusket.com/2017/2/1/14469060/darius-stills-west-virginia-wvu-mountaineers-national-signing-day-letter-of-intentMichael Miller2017-02-01T08:00:24-05:002017-02-01T08:00:24-05:00West Virginia seals dual-position standout Ricky Johns
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<figcaption>Ricky Johns \ Twitter: @ricky_johns8</figcaption>
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<p>The safety and receiver from Pennsylvania committed to WVU last July and made his commitment official today.</p> <p id="VVNQQn">The West Virginia Mountaineers just picked up a potential diamond in the rough with the signing of North Penn H.S. (PA) standout <strong>Ricky Johns</strong>.</p>
<p id="T3HW65">Standing at 6’3”, Johns, from Lansdale, Pennsylvania, is a rangy presence in the defensive backfield and provides a good target in the passing game. He committed to West Virginia back in July. </p>
<p id="r3L7w7">While at North Penn, Johns made the All-Pennsylvania First Team as a receiver and an All-Area defensive back. He is rated the fourth-best safety coming out of Pennsylvania with his key attributes are his ball skills, elusiveness and agility. He is also a standout for the North Penn varsity basketball team.</p>
<p id="wjZOxa">Johns is listed by most recruiting sites as a three-star athlete. He played safety and receiver at North Penn High School but is expected to play safety for the Mountaineers, as he was recruited by Mark Scott and Matt Caponi.</p>
<p id="KLyCFD">Johns chose the Mountaineers over Temple and Villanova early on his . By the way…he wore number 8 at North Penn.</p>
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https://www.smokingmusket.com/2017/2/1/14458052/ricky-johns-west-virginia-wvu-mountaineers-national-signing-day-letter-of-intentBartimusPrime