[2023] WVU has Early Success on the Recruiting Trail

[smackemz]

If football was only played on the recruiting trail, the Mountaineers would be considered one of the more successful teams in college football over the past few years.  Early on in the 2023 recruiting push, that success continues to show with the successful commitments of 5 players early in the recruiting cycle.  So far, WVU has been able to bring in an Outside Linebacker, Wide Receiver, Middle Linebacker, Tight End, and an Offensive Tackle.  Each of the early recruits has been rated 4 stars by all of the recruiting services.  

Starting with the Outside Linebacker, Timothy Wilson, who attended Hernando High School in Brooksville, Florida.  The 6'3" and 235 pound linebacker already shows impressive pass rushing ability, with a combination of finesse and power.  He has agile feet and has shown ability to fake a pass rushing move, and drop back into coverage when necessary.  Wilson projects to slide in and compete as a long term starter.  
 

Next up is the speedy wide receiver from Richwood High School in Monroe, Louisiana, Matthew Bundick.  Standing at 6'0" tall and weighing in at ~200 pounds, Bundick has decent size to break through the jam and get into his route.  Bundick is the highest rated wide receiver to be recruited by the Mountaineers in the smackemz era, so the expectations are high on him coming into the program. 

Speaking of pass catchers, next on the list is the athletic tight end Derek Bryan from Capital High School in Charleston, West Virginia.  Bryan has elite level speed for a tight end, and gives the Mountaineers flexibility in how they attack.  Bryan's athletisiim gives him an edge and is similar to having an additional wide receiver out on the field.  Similar to 2022 recruit Juan Corral - look for the Mountaineers to find ways to get both on the field and to play with putting them in the slot in multi-wide receiver sets.  

Every good defense needs a captain in the middle, and Jose Arostegui fits that mold for the Mountaineers.  The 6'0", 227 pound inside linebacker from Fairfield, Texas is the quarterback of his team's defense.  Leading one ofthe better defenses, at their level of Texas football, Jose has been entrusted to call plays and make adjustments based on what he sees from the offense.  He has unique ability to diagnose and make game changing tackles will be huge for the Mountaineers.  

Finally, continuing their push to protect star QB Dzanian Reid - the Mountaineers bring in offensive tackle Oscar Ray.  Ray is already a mountain of a man, standing at 6'5 and weighing in at 285 pounds and shows an ability to protect the pass well while still making good run blocks as well.   As the Mountaineers continue to build out their roster, players like Ray will be vital in their ability to make a push towards relevance.  

Everyone in Mountaineer nation is excited to welcome these new additions to WVU football.  The task at hand is not complete, however; as smackemz and the coaches continue to hit the recruiting trail hard during the 2023 cycle.