The West Virginia Mountaineers have landed a historically impressive high school recruiting class for 2026, but Ross Hodge is looking to make even more waves with his 2027 class.
The Mountaineers have yet to land any commitments in the class, but Hodge is in hot pursuit of several massive prospects that could take Hodge's already impressive recruiting performance in Morgantown to the next level. Here are three names you should keep an eye on.
Paul Osaruyi, CIA Bella Vista (Ariz.)
Osaruyi is a 6-foot-10 center, and was teammates last season at Bella Vista with a trip of West Virginia's 2026 commits – Miles Sadler, Amadou Seini, and Aliou Dioum. He played a massive role on a team that captured the Chipotle Nationals championship, finishing among the elite high schools in the nation.
Osaruyi is rated the third-best player and No. 1 center in his class, and the Mountaineers have made him a priority. But they have stiff competition, including North Carolina and Arkansas. But if the allure of playing with his old teammates is desirable, particularly if they have a hot start this season with the Mountaineers, he could land in Morgantown.
Markus Kerr, Brewster Academy (NH)
Kerr was offered once before by the Mountaineers by Darian DeVries, and now his successor is pursuing the standout guard as well. I'ts no surprise Hodge is interested, as 247Sports lists the four-star guard as the 68th-best player in his class. He also was offered by Arizona State when current WVU assistant Yusuf Ali served on their staff, so a connection to Ali might be there as well.
DeMarcus Henry, Compass Prep (Ariz.)
Henry, a 6-foot-7 forwrd, has a couple connections to West Virginia. One of them involves Yusuf Ali, who appears to be the assistant who extended the offer to Henry. The other is through his late father Chris Henry, who starred on the gridiron at West Virginia.
His brother is set to begin his freshman season at Ohio State on their football team next year, but Hodge is hoping he can bring the 15th-ranked player in the Class of 2027 to his father's alma mater.
Add us as a preferred source on Google