West Virginia’s football recruiting efforts for the secondary have reached a mid-summer transition as the program enters a dead period. While the Mountaineers hosted extensive camps and official visits throughout June, the coaching staff is now pivoting toward preseason preparations after seeing several safety targets commit to competing programs.
Why did safety prospects commit elsewhere?
The Mountaineers saw three safety targets from the 2027 class move to other programs following their official visits to Morgantown. Jalen Welch pledged to Syracuse, Ryinn Fox committed to Cincinnati, and Connor Hites chose Penn. The departure of these prospects creates questions regarding the staff’s initial prioritization of these specific athletes.
How is West Virginia addressing the 2028 recruiting class?
The program has expanded its focus toward the 2028 cycle, recently issuing new scholarship offers. Among the notable additions to the radar is Brandon Bennett, a standout from Montour in McKees Rocks, Pennsylvania. Standing at 6-foot-3 and 210 pounds, Bennett is more of a defensive athlete and could bulk up into a linebacker, depending on how things go the next couple years.
What happens during the dead period?
With the summer camp circuit concluded, the college football recruiting calendar has entered a dead period. This time is utilized by staffs for vacation and preseason preparation.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is a recruiting dead period? It is a time when coaches cannot have in-person contact with recruits, though they may still communicate via phone or digital correspondence.
- How does a player’s size affect their position? Prospects like Brandon Bennett are often recruited as “athletes” because their physical growth over 2–3 years determines whether they fit best as a defensive athlete or a linebacker.
- Can a recruit still commit during a dead period? Yes, prospects can announce their commitments and sign financial aid agreements, provided the initial contact occurred during an open period.
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