WVU football might have found the program's hometown hero -- but it'll be a couple years before he can suit up for the Mountaineers.
Sources tell HailWV that University High School (W.Va) Class of 2027 prospect Kaleil Lewis has garnered the attention of the West Virginia coaching staff this summer. The 6-foot-4 wide receiver and edge rusher showed up with University to a 7-on-7 earlier this month, and was impressive enough during that effort that he was invited back for an Elite One Day Camp on June 20. Lewis is the son of former Mountaineer Sedrick Lewis.
While his skills at wideout are evident, he has gone overlooked on the defensive side of the ball -- and despite most of his defensive experience coming as an EDGE, his performance at the 7-on-7 has the Mountaineers most interested in Lewis as a safety.
Had a great time at the @WVUfootball 7v7 yesterday. Here’s some clips @Coach_Wolfley @Coach_Lawless @CoachQuez_ @CoachSnyderUHS @uhshawksfb @PrepRedzoneWV @CoalfieldsCo @BallHawkMedia1 pic.twitter.com/jxarlOga7B
— Kaleil Lewis (@Kaleil_lewis5) June 15, 2025
Great time at the @OhioStateFB 7v7. More work to do going into this years season @uhshawksfb heres some clips with some at safety but most at wr @CoachSnyderUHS @Coach_Lawless @PrepRedzoneWV @CoalfieldsCo @BallHawkMedia1 @CoachQuez_ @KeyPlayerNation @OhioXsAndOs @OhioValleyPreps pic.twitter.com/FNIdv8UbxB
— Kaleil Lewis (@Kaleil_lewis5) June 19, 2025
He worked with the defensive backs during his June 20 camp session, and ended the day having recorded multiple interceptions -- sources indicate that he drew serious attention from Special Teams Coordinator/Defensive Assistant Pat Kirkland and Defensive Coordinator Zac Alley, and spent most of the camp working with Safeties Coach Gabe Franklin. He also reportedly was told he was "looking good" at least once by Head Coach Rich Rodriguez, and received a private tour from the coaches at some point during the day.
No official offer is on the table yet, but it was indicated that the Mountaineers are interested and are hoping to see more film on Lewis in the secondary this upcoming season before extending an official offer -- though he might make enough waves at wideout to get an offer to play offense as well.
The big effort from Lewis these past few weeks during WVU's 7-on-7 and camp sessions caps what has been an eventful month for the standout sophomore. First, he closed May by taking home the WVSSAC Class AAA Boys' 110 Meter Hurdle Championship with a mark of 14.88 seconds. Then, earlier this month, West Virginia-based website Coalfields & Co. pegged Lewis as a Class of 2027 Wide Receiver to Watch.
"Long and knows how to use it—a true traditional-style wide receiver. His defensive film is equally impressive, and it wouldn’t be surprising if some colleges see him as a potential athletic edge rusher," the website wrote about Lewis.
If Lewis eventually signs with West Virginia, it will not be the first time this summer a prospect has parlayed a big performance at a WVU camp into an offer -- prospects Minikon Johnson and Charlie Hanafin have made similar impressions this summer, with Hanafin already having announced his commitment.