West Virginia University
Quality Over Quantity
By Kevin Kinder

With limited scholarship numbers available, West Virginia won't have the huge classes of other area schools. However, approximately 16-18 prospects are expected in WVU's Class of 2006, and the Mountaineer coaching staff is stressing quality over quantity in the wake of the Sugar Bowl win over Georgia.

Points of emphasis in this recruiting class for the Mountaineers were offensive line, defensive back and linebacker, and it looks as if West Virginia addressed those needs very well. Up front, Eric Rodemoyer of Kennedy Catholic High School, who originally committed to Pitt before switching to West Virginia, heads a tough and aggressive group that also includes Jake Miller of Tuscarawas Valley in Ohio, Derek Hayes of Tallahassee and Eric Jobe of Maryland.

With only three scholarship cornerbacks on the roster going into the spring, West Virginia also needed attention in the secondary. Ryan Brinson, who originally signed with WVU last year, spent the season at Hargrave Military Academy and recommitted to the Mountaineer coaching staff this season. He will be joined by Robert Williams, a speedy Cincinnati native that excels in man-to-man coverage, and Greg Davis, also of Cincinnati.

West Virginia's hope was to upgrade the speed of its linebacking corps in this recruiting class, and again it came up big with two backers that pursue and make plays all over the field. McKeesport's Anthony Leonard, who was the Mountaineers' first commitment this year, showed his ability to avoid blockers and make tackles from sideline to sideline. Joining Leonard will be Floridian J.T. Thomas, son and namesake of former Mountaineer backer James Thomas, who starred at West Virginia from 1994-95.

WVU also targeted a handful of wide receivers in this group. The Mountaineers received commitments from two highly regarded receivers on each end of Pennsylvania. John Maddox of Philadelphia, and Wes Lyons of Woodland Hills in Pittsburgh, give WVU two talented targets, although Maddox also possesses the ability to play safety. Lyons is a big target that can make plays on the ball in the red zone, and should be an excellent complement to West Virginia's group of inside receivers. Since Chris Henry departed to the NFL, WVU has been looking for a downfield playmaker, and Lyons, whose brother Devon is a free safety at Ohio State, would appear to have a great chance to fill that role.

Kevin Kinder covers West Virginia for BlueGoldNews.com.