Editor's Note: The news broke from Chris Anderson of EerSports on Saturday, January 11th that Devontae Golden-Nelson was making his official decision later that day but four schools, including WVU, were in the mix. Golden-Nelson announced the next morning that he had chosen the Mountaineers officially.
West Virginia football added further to their secondary Thursday with a pair of Group of 5 transfers, including one that is amongst the highest-rated cornerback transfers this off-season. The duo joins the program after WVU further solidifed their secondary on Wednesday with a trio of defensive back transfers.
Nevada's Michael Coats Jr. and Akron's Devontae Golden-Nelson have announced themselves as the newest members of the WVU roster -- both athletes play cornerback and will have one season of eligibility remaining.
#HailWV pic.twitter.com/eFFalGJZVG
— Devonte Golden-Nelson (@devontetm) January 9, 2025
Breaking: #WVU has picked up a commitment from Michael Coats Jr., per his father, Signing before leaving #WVUhttps://t.co/MQeud1MEyU
— Chris Anderson (@CMAnderson247) January 9, 2025
Coats Jr. was named All-Mountain West Conference and earned All-American honors from multiple publications in 2024 as he tallied 41 tackles, 10 pass breakups, and 4 touchdowns -- over his two-year stint with Nevada, he's recorded 54 tackles and 5 interceptions. He played at the community college level prior to his time at Nevada.
Golden-Nelson tallied 33 tackles and 7 pass breakups in 2024 for the Zips, and has spent three seasons playing with Akron -- he has tallied 66 tackles, 10 pass breakups, and 2 interceptions over his career.