There's been plenty of talk this offseason about the talented recruiting class Rich Rodriguez brought into the WVU program, both in terms of his high school recruiting class as well as his transfer portal recruiting class. But long before those players even take the field for a game, Rodriguz andhis staff are hard at work on building future recruiting classes as well.
On Friday, the Mountaineers continued to add to future classes as they landed a commitment from 2027 linebacker Rick Brown. Brown is the sixth commitment in the program's 2027 recruiting class that continues to rise in the national rankings.
Linebacker @DerrickBrownIII has committed to WVU, according to his Instagram. pic.twitter.com/j09JzldXul
— Spencer Ripchik (@RipchikSpencer) April 17, 2026
WVU lands elite LB Rick Brown in Class of 2027
Brown is ranked the 22nd-best player in Pennsylvania and the 69th-best linebacker nationally in his class, according to the 247Sports composite rankings.
He recorded 105 tackles, nine passes defended, six tackles for loss, and two interceptions as a junior, marking his second consecutive season with more than 100 tackles. Over this three-year prep career he has recorded 263 total tackles. He is coming off a stellar effort at The Opening camp in New Jersey this past week, where he earned an invite to the camp finals in Oregon later this spring.
Brown also has connections to the current roster, as he was a teammate of current WVU offensive lineman Kevin Brown last season at Harrisburg (PA) before transferring this season to another high school. He also is a childhood friend of freshman Yendor Mack, who played at Rick Brown's new school, Susquehanna Township, also located in Harrisburg. Transfer defensive back Jaire Rawlinson also played his high school football in the city.
Brown's commitment adds significantly to an already strong class early in the recruiting cycle for the Class of 2027, with their class jumping up to 29th nationally in the 247Sports rankings.
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