Tate Martell’s offer was just the first step to lure him into the WVU football program. As the Mountaineers showed early loyalty to the top-rated high school quarterback in the country, Martell returned the favor to West Virginia.
Recently, Martell, a rising senior at Bishop Gorman High School in as Vegas, narrowed down his college choices. The WVU football program finds itself right in the mix.
Related Story: Tate Martell receives WVU football offer
Maybe it’s West Virginia’s recent history of producing solid passing quarterbacks, or the fact that the Mountaineers offer a unique mix of location, power and conference affiliation. Or, maybe Martell has an affinity for the colors old gold and blue.
Whatever the reason may be, the WVU football program is a finalist for Martell’s future services.
Miami, Ohio State and West Virginia are the schools farthest east from Martell’s home state of Nevada.
Originally, Martell was verbally committed to Texas A&M. When he rescinded those intentions, WVU head coach Dana Holgorsen and the Mountaineers came on strong.
According to Rivals.com, Martell said that West Virginia has come on “way harder” since he decommitted from the Aggies. So, the Mountaineers are making the most of this situation. Maybe they are putting all of their QB recruiting eggs into one basket, but if Martell proves to be the real deal, this could be a match made in heaven.
The Mountaineers have also offered the No. 1 wide receiver in Donavan Peoples-Jones and the top-rated junior college lineman in Lee Autry.
Related Story: Alec Sinkfield will be playmaker for WVU football
This aggressive approach to recruiting may pay off for the Mountaineers. If nothing else, it gives recruits the impression that the WVU football program is on the rise. In today’s age of social media, if one recruit sees another posting where they have received offers from, there’s a good chance that original recruit will take interest in those certain schools.
Obviously, Martell has created a rise with his recruiting intentions by releasing his top seven schools. To have the Mountaineers right there in the heat of it should even allow fans to take heed in the fact that Holgorsen and his staff is in-tune with what today’s prep players are looking for.