Rivals.com reported today that West Virginia Mountaineers coach Dana Holgorsen is currently scouting junior college players in hopes of finding immediate help to the less-than-stellar Mountaineer defense.
Nate Willis, a 3 star DB from Yuma, Arizona is a second-year player for Arizona Western Community College and has expressed interest in WVU after retracting his commitment to the USF Bulls. Willis is 6’8, 180 pounds, and could make an immediate impact for the Mountaineers.
He ran a 4.4 second 40 yard dash, and recorded 31 tackles, 3 interceptions in his first season of JC play.
In addition to Willis, the Mountaineers have already received a solid verbal commitment from 4 star LB Darrien Howard, a 6’2, 250 pound Inside Linebacker from Dayton, Ohio.
Howard is ranked as the 10th best linebacker in the recruiting class, and the 16th best recruit in his state. He ran a 4.97 second 40 yard dash, and a 4.51 shuttle, with a 31 inch vertical.
Darrien Howard Highlights (Howard)
Another name that tops the lists of WVU defensive recruits is De’Asian Richardson, a 4 star DE from Orange Park, Florida.
Richardson is 6’3, 285 pounds, ranked as the 16th best DE in the recruiting class, and the 43rd best recruit in his state.
De’Asian Richardson Highlights (Richardson)
The Mountaineers have also received verbal commitments from:
3 star linebacker Al-Rasheed Benton, a 6’2, 220 pound inside linebacker from Newark, New Jersey.
Al-Rasheed Benton Highlights (Benton)
3 star linebacker Hodari Christian, a 6’1, 215 pound outside linebacker from McKeesport, Pennsylvania.
Hodari Christian Highlights (Christian)
3 star linebacker Isaac McDonald, a 6’5, 205 pound outside linebacker from Hialeah, Florida.
Isaac McDonald Highlights (McDonald)
It’s good to see that WVU is on top of things and understands its need to recruit talented defensive players.
This is help that I long overdue, and Mountaineer fans can only hope that these recruits live up to their potential. WVU needs serious help on the defensive side of the ball, and some of these recruits may provide the tools necessary to improve the defense in the near future.
Follow Mike Atkinson on Twitter at @MikeAtkinsonRS or visit his author page at http://www.rantsports.com/ncaa-football/author/mikeatkinson/.
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