WVU Football Recruiting Roundup: Offense

Despite a lackluster 2022 season, Neal Brown has put together a solid 2022 class. As it stands, West Virginia has the 35th ranked class nationally (according to 247sports), which is good enough for fourth in the Big 12. We’re looking at the newest Mountaineers on the offensive side this week.

Quarterback:

Nicco Marchiol

247 composite rank: 4 star, No. 19 QB, No. 280 overall

Notable offers: Florida, Georgia, LSU, Michigan, USC

One of West Virginia’s top recruits, Marchiol, has the potential to be a difference-maker in the future. The athletic 6’2”, the 220-pound lefty from Hamilton, Arizona, can make plays through the air and on the ground and does so in a calm, composed manner.

His arm strength isn’t elite, but he has a good feel for the deep ball and has completed it in high school. Blair Angulo, the 247 mountain region analyst, projects Marchiol as a guy that could be a multi-year starter for West Virginia and a day three draft pick.

His player comparison is to former Boise State quarterback Kellen Moore, which I can see; however, his powerful rushing reminded me a bit of Tim Tebow.

Running Back:

West Virginia has yet to gain a commitment from a running back at this point in the cycle. Unless one comes along late, they will be looking to replace Leddie Brown with existing options in sophomore Tony Mathis Jr. and freshman Justin Johnson Jr., their shiny new portal toy in Clemson transfer Lyn-J Dixon, or a combination of the two.

Wide Receiver:

Jarel Williams

247 composite rank: 3 star, No. 92 WR, No. 651 overall

Notable offers: Notre Dame, Florida State, Tennessee

At 6’2”, 185, Jarel Williams isn’t the most polished recruit but has the potential to become a solid receiver at West Virginia. His speed and athleticism aren’t top-notch, but he is excellent with the ball in space, posing a formidable threat on screens and in the return game in high school.

At his size, that’s impressive. The Saraland, Alabama prospect was also a talented basketball player. Swapping time on the court for time in the weight room or on the practice field could prove very beneficial to Williams’ development.

Jeremiah Aaron

247 composite rank: 3 star, No. 2 JuCo WR, No. 21 JuCo overall

Notable offers: Louisville

One of two wide receiver commits coming in from junior colleges, Jeremiah Aaron is a smaller, shifty receiver who can do many things for the Mountaineers’ offense. Listed at 6’0”, 185, Aaron was both a passing and rushing threat out of the slot at Navarro College in Louisiana.

He’s a guy who will be able to contribute as a pass-catching target and on jet sweeps and in the return game. Aaron only has two years of eligibility, but he could be fun to watch.

Cortez Braham

247 Composite Rank: 3 star, No. 6 JuCo WR, No. 56 JuCo overall

Notable offers: Buffalo

A longtime Buffalo commit, Braham decommitted at the start of January and committed to West Virginia later in the month. At 6’2”, 200, his build is closer to Jarel Williams’ than Jeremiah Aaron’s, and he can use that size to his advantage.

Averaging 22.5 YPC this past season at Hutchinson CC in South Carolina, Braham can be a legitimate deep target but solid as a blocker outside. Like Aaron, Braham has the reduced eligibility that JuCo recruits come with, so if he is to impact this West Virginia team, it will be early.

Tight End:

Corbin Page

247 Composite Rank: 3 star, No. 25 TE, No. 496 overall

Notable Offers: Cincinnati, Oregon, Virginia Tech

As they say, the best players in West Virginia go to West Virginia. The 6’5”, 257-pound Spring Valley product is the top-ranked player from the state in the 2022 class and dominated the state both at tight end and on the defensive line a year ago.

Page’s build screams blocking tight end, as he has the size to move over to tackle, but has good athleticism and was quite the vertical threat in high school. It isn’t clear how well that will carry over to the next level, but if it does, Page could become a contributor to the Mountaineers’ rushing and passing attack.

De’Carlo Donaldson

247 Composite Rank: 3 star, No. 51 TE, No. 907 overall

Notable Offers: Florida, Miami, Ole Miss

While one might mistake Page as an offensive lineman, DeCarlo Donaldson’s tape could easily be mistaken for a wide receiver. The 6’2”, 215-pound, tight end from Miami isn’t the highest-ranked recruit in the class, but an offer list that includes several ACC and SEC schools displays Donaldson’s potential.

He has excellent speed for a tight end and could prove to be a big-time threat for West Virginia’s offense down the road.

Offensive Line:

Landen Livingston

247 Composite Rank: 3 star, No. 28 Interior OL, No. 607 overall

Notable offers: Cincinnati, Iowa, Michigan State

A tackle in high school, the 6’4”, 280-pound Leo, Indiana native projects as a guard at the next level. While not a superstar prospect, the potential is there for him to become a starter and contributor on the Mountaineer offensive line. A 247 national analyst, Allen Trieu spoke very highly of Livingston, noting his impressive physicality and potential to play beyond college.

Sullivan Weidman

247 Composite Rank: 3 star, No. 60 OT, No. 770 overall

Notable offers: Michigan, Michigan State, Virginia

At 6’6” 300, Weidman is a big tackle with good footwork and mobility at the position. This is a great combination to have, and the Brookline, Massachusetts native, should find himself a role on the West Virginia offensive line in a few years, if not sooner.

Maurice Hamilton

247 Composite Rank: 3 star, No. 40 Interior OL, No. 797 overall

Notable offers: Iowa State, Purdue

Hailing from Cleveland, Ohio, Maurice Hamilton is a big, strong guard who can abuse defenders lined up in front of him. Always looking to finish blocks, the 6’4”, the 345-pound unit should find his way into the Mountaineer lineup, but his limited speed and mobility might keep him from achieving that shortly.

Given some time to physically develop into a Big 12 caliber lineman, Hamilton should produce for the Mountaineers.

Charlie Katarincic

247 Composite Rank: 3 star, #159 Interior OL, #1577 overall

Notable offers: East Carolina

Neal Brown and Matt Moore must see something they like in Katarincic, as his recruiting profile doesn’t particularly jump out at you. The 6’5″, 280 lb lineman out of Wallingford, Connecticut, had only one other FBS offer, East Carolina; but has been committed to the Mountaineers since March of 2021, giving him the the second-longest commitment in the class. It’s tough to say what Katarincic’s role will be in the future for West Virginia, but he may be able to carve one out for himself.