Where WVU should look to improve in the 2023 recruiting class

College football recruiting is in a dead period for the month of July. But once we hit August, recruiting will be in full swing with staffs trying to finalize future recruiting classes, while making final pushes for their top uncommitted targets. West Virginia has already made a big dent in their 2023 recruiting, including a commitment from a top target in Rodney Gallagher. But there is still plenty of work to be done for Neal Brown and staff for the upcoming year.

There are certain positions that are likely set. The Mountaineers already have a QB commitment from Raheim Jeter, so unless they decide to move away from him they are likely done at that position. There are also two RB commits in Jaheim White and Jordan Louie so they are likely done there as well. There are plenty of positions that still need to be filled though so let’s look at those.

Secondary

The secondary is currently the Mountaineers’ most shallow place on the depth chart, and while they may look to add transfers as a stop-gap next season, they are certainly looking to add the position through high school recruits. Jayden Sheppard was a top target for the Mountaineers at safety, and had a set commit date, until he pushed it back on the day of the commitment. West Virginia was rumored to be his top choice, so it could be a cool off from the Mountaineers, or just wanting to weigh more options. KP Price is another top target in the secondary for the Mountaineers, as they were the first school to offer him. West Virginia is currently the only school Price has visited, although he has a crystal ball for Boston College on 24/7Sports. Tayvon Nelson is the final name to look out for in the near future. Nelson officially visited the Mountaineers in late June. He then visited Maryland immediately after and named a top three of WVU, Maryland Penn State. He has named a commitment date of July 23rd. He also has not visited Penn State so this is likely a battle between Maryland and WVU. 

Wide Receiver 

WVU added their top target, and highest rated recruit for the ‘23 class in Rodney Gallagher at receiver, as well as Elijah Caldwell. Even though they have already added two receivers, it is likely they will get at least one more, with potentially multiple receivers leaving after this season. Carmelo Taylor is a name to watch out for here, as he put WVU in his top 5 and is expected to announce his decision on July 25th. Traylon Ray is another name to watch out for, as the Mountaineers offered him back in February and he is still uncommitted. 

Offensive Line

While all five of WVU’s projected offensive line starters are eligible to return in 2023, it is likely Neal Brown and company will look to add more high school recruits to this class. They have already added Johnny Williams and Cooper Young, but with how long offensive linemen typically take to adjust, there will probably be a third in this class. Nick Krahe and Chrisdasson Saint-Jean are the two biggest guys to look out for. They both claimed offers over the summer from WVU after camping with them. Typically players who earn offers from camping with a team are high targets for that team. Both have been silent on their recruiting, but so were both of the Mountaineers commits in Williams and Young. 

Edge Rusher

While WVU already has four DL’s committed in the 2023 class, none of them fit the edge rusher prototype. The Mountaineers will also be losing multiple players on the defensive line after next season, so they will need a full restock. There’s an in-state prospect here as well in Braydin Ward who fits the edge rusher prototype. The Mountaineers offered him in June, and the only other school he holds an offer from is Marshall. Oryend Fisher is the other name to look out for here, as he visited WVU in late June. That’s the only school he has visited so the Mountaineers should find themselves in a good spot for him. 

Photo of Tayvon Nelson