Mountaineer Mailbag - July 4th

Who do you see being a breakout star on defense this year? (wvu2003)

Jenkins is a candidate for the defensive play of the year.

Brodrick Jenkins. He dropped about four interceptions last season in his limited action. As a starter this year, I see him getting between four and six interceptions and being named to one of the All- Big 12 teams.

Any early enrollees on our radar? (MJScragg)

That should be clearer towards the end of summer. That’s when guys will know for sure if they have a shot at making it in time. Right now, I’m not aware of any of the guys currently committed being available for early enrollment.

What are the chances of us doing well in our first year of the Big 12 and still not landing top notch recruits? (wvu2003)

If you win it, they will come.

Name your top 3-5 of who will take the final scholarship for the 2013 basketball class. (G-Real40)

Michael Young, Akoy Agau and Tommy Hamilton. Still need to talk to Hamilton to see how he feels about WVU.

Is there something holding up the Jamel James situation? Grades? (G-Real40)

Is Munger really a buy?

Just need to meet each other, that’s all. I’m not aware of any grade issues. If what he says is true, he will be a Mountaineer at the end of the month.

What are your thoughts (and our chances) on Lamar Robbins? Does he have a decision date in mind? (G-Real40)

He hasn’t said anything about a decision date, but would like to take all of his official visits, so I imagine it’s a ways down the road. Even if he “decides” sooner, it seems like he will still take trips. As for WVU’s chances, I think they are as good as anyone’s. He couldn’t have been happier when he originally got the offer and in each subsequent phone call (talked to him three or four times), West Virginia was one of the first schools he mentioned. I do believe the WVU/MSU as his top two is an accurate assessment.

What do you think Ivan McCartney’s final numbers will be this year? (G-Real40)

61 catches, 692 yards and five touchdowns.

I noticed you have Munger as a BUY with possibly Ohio State backing off. Have you gotten any indication from him personally? (EERFAN64MIKE)

He’s not talking right now, but I’ve talked with Ohio State people who say the press on Munger has slowed down a little bit. Enough that they wouldn’t even take him? Not sure.

Is McManus still expected? (Navagator)

Could Robert Gillespie seal up Zaire Williams (left) this month?

We’ll see. He’s going to be missing all of summer workouts and classes, so he will be way behind if he does make it. I know some have said it was claimed he would be in town last week, but we were told that was never going to be the case. As of July 4th, he is still in Baltimore.

How are we doing in Junior College recruiting? Are we looking at any December graduates? (indywvu)

Not so hot early on, but WVU has never done well with early junior college recruiting. They typically get the guys later in the process. All of Hutchison (KS) C.C. is likely going to end up at Tennessee (that’s what happens when you hire one of their coaches, of course) and there haven’t been a whole lot of other names popping up.

What is the latest on a few Buckeye recruits – Kyle Meadows, Donovan Munger, William Houston and Devon Edwards? Are we still recruiting Jayme Thompson or Rasheen Jones? (indywvu)

Munger, see above. Meadows still has WVU as one of his top two to three schools but would jump on an Ohio State offer in a second. Right now, though, the Buckeyes are looking at Dennis Finley and Christian Morris for their last tackle spot. If both go elsewhere, Meadows could be in line for an offer.

Edwards still has WVU as one of his top schools along with Pitt and Kentucky. He hasn’t been talking much lately, but at last check, he was going to visit Morgantown this summer. Houston will be back at the end of the month in hopes of earning an offer. He impressed at last camp, but may be the victim of a numbers game.

Thompson and Jones – no.

Who are our next two commits? (jtcougs34)

Is Taquan Mizzell (above) just Joel Caleb 2.0?

Zaire Williams and Kingsley Opara?

Over/under 15 recruits on signing day between Florida and Texas? (gwinn77)

Under, but just barely. I say 13.

Any news on Burney? (eerboy99)

Still in Florida. He was taking an ACT just last month in hopes of getting qualified, so I’m not sure why anyone was thinking he was going to make it in.

What percentage do you give us with the following: Whitfield, Boyd and Drennon?

Whitfield – 20%
Drennon – 25% (10% if Texas jumps in)
Boyd – 70%

Any chance with Smoke or is he toying with us, a la Joel Caleb? What’s with these VA kids and are we starting to shift our recruiting resources away from the area yet? Seems like it’s always an uphill battle in VA, especially the 757. (PenCo)

While I do believe the final result will be much like Joel Caleb (sticking with the in-state school), I see a difference between the two. Taquan “Smoke” Mizzell has been very up front about UVA being the leader with WVU behind them, then everyone else. Caleb flip-flopped back and forth, even going so far as to say he knew WVU was a better fit for him.

I don’t think there’s been as much of a push in the “757” (aka Virginia Beach area) as in years past. Daron Roberts has been out there, scouted some prospects and extended a few offers, but he hasn’t spent a large chunk of his time out there. He’s spent far more time in DC/Maryland.