West Virginia
Meet the West Virginia Mountaineers football 2026 commitments
Meet the West Virginia Mountaineers football 2026 commitments
Get to know each of the West Virginia Mountaineers football commitments in the 2026 recruiting class with this feature from WVSports.com.
Committed: June 23
Dallas (Tx.) South Oak Cliff safety Rickey Giles moved onto the West Virginia radar in April when safeties coach Gabe Franklin extended a scholarship offer and things continued to build from that point. The Lone Star state product took an official visit to Morgantown June 13-15 and committed to the program a little over a week after that. The versatile defensive back is slotted as a safety in the West Virginia scheme and picked the Mountaineers over offers from Utah, Purdue, Oregon State, San Diego State, Boise State, Memphis and a number of others.
2026 safety Giles commits to West Virginia
Commitment 101
Highlights
Committed: June 22
Nitro (W.Va.) wide receiver Malachi Thompson had been on the West Virginia radar for quite some time but earned a scholarship offer from the Mountaineers following and impressive performance at the first 7-on-7 camp of the summer. Thompson impressed throughout the event and was offered by wide receivers coach Ryan Garrett. The in-state prospect then took an official visit to Morgantown in late June and committed to the Mountaineers following the experience. Thompson caught 74 passes for 1,590 yards and 18 touchdowns as a junior and was selected as the Randy Moss Award winner last year. Thompson also held offers from Ohio, Marshall and more.
2026 WR Thompson commits to West Virginia
Commitment 101
2026 in-state WR Thompson competes at West Virginia 7-on-7
Highlights
Committed: June 21
Upper Marlboro (Md.) St. Frances offensive lineman Lamarcus Dillard received an offer from West Virginia early in the process but things heated up when he took an official visit to campus during June. That led to his commitment to the program giving the Mountaineers an athletic interior option that plays the game physically. Dillard picked the Mountaineers over offers from Miami (Fla.), Maryland, Pittsburgh, Virginia Tech, UCF, Syracuse and Boston College, among others.
2026 OL Dillard commits to West Virginia
Commitment 101
Highlights
Committed: June 20
Burlington (Ma.) Dexter Southfield wide receiver Charlie Hanafin earned a scholarship offer from West Virginia after an impressive camp performance. Wide receivers coach Ryan Garrett extended a scholarship offer and developed a strong relationship with him. Hanafin took an official visit to campus June 18-20 and announced his commitment to the Mountaineers football program. Hanafin is a talented wide receiver that earned his offer at camp and picked the program over Boston College and a number of others.
2026 WR Hanafin commits to West Virginia
Commitment 101
2026 WR Hanafin earns offer from West Virginia
Highlights
Committed: June 16
Orlando (Fla.) Evans cornerback Emari Peterson received a scholarship from West Virginia in May during the evaluation period and things progressed from that point. The long, fluid cornerback took an official visit to Morgantown June 13-15 and then announced his commitment to the program following the trip. Peterson was recruited by cornerbacks coach Rod West and also held scholarship offers from Texas A&M, LSU, Georgia Tech, Wake Forest, South Florida, Liberty, East Carolina and several others.
2026 Florida CB Peterson commits to West Virginia
Commitment 101
Highlights
Committed: June 15
Cincinnati (Oh.) Withrow offensive lineman Justyn Lyles received an offer from West Virginia in March after offensive line coach Jack Bicknell. Things picked up from there culminating in his official visit to Morgantown June 13-15 where he committed to the Mountaineers following the trip. Lyles is a long, athletic offensive tackle body that also collected offers from Maryland, Tulsa, Ohio, Miami (Oh.), Marshall, Buffalo, Massachusetts, Eastern Michigan, Bowling Green and Ball State, among others.
West Virginia adds commitment from 2026 Ohio OL Lyles
Commitment 101
Highlights
Committed: June 15
Miami (Okla.) Northeastern Oklahoma A&M linebacker Aaron Edwards had been in communication with West Virginia for quite some time led by defensive coordinator Zac Alley as well as nickels/sams coach Henry Weinreich. That only intensified after the Mountaineers extended a scholarship offer to Edwards a week before his June 13-15 scheduled official visit to campus. Edwards took that trip and then committed to the Mountaineers giving the program a versatile and athletic defender. The Oklahoma native should have two years of eligibility remaining and is set to graduate in December.
JUCO 2026 LB Aaron Edwards announces commitment to WVU
Commitment 101
With offer in hand, JUCO LB Edwards ready for West Virginia official visit
JUCO LB Edwards sets West Virginia official visit date
Highlights
Committed: June 15
Niceville (Fla.) wide receiver Robert Stith received a scholarship offer from West Virginia in February and things only continued to build there between the Mountaineers coaching staff and the talented pass catcher. Wide receivers coach Ryan Garrett served as the lead recruiter for Stith and he took an official visit during the June 13-15 weekend. That trip led to a commitment giving the program a big outside wide receiver. Stith selected the program over a number of other offers that included Michigan State, Kentucky, Maryland, Minnesota, Kansas State, South Florida, Tulane.
2026 WR Robert Stith announces commitment to West Virginia
Commitment 101
2026 WR Robert Stith intrigued by West Virginia offer
Highlights
Committed: June 15
Athens (Tn.) McMinn County offensive lineman Camden Goforth had been highly interested in the West Virginia football program since they first got involved in the winter. Things continued to progress between the two and eventually offensive line coach Jack Bicknell extended a scholarship offer in May after seeing him during the evaluation period. Goforth would initially commit to Coastal Carolina following an official visit there at the beginning of June, but after taking an official visit to Morgantown during the June 13-15 weekend elected to flip his pledge. Goforth is being targeted as an interior offensive lineman by the Mountaineers and brings versatility.
West Virginia lands commitment from 2026 OL Goforth
Commitment 101
2026 OL Goforth now holds West Virginia offer
2026 OL Goforth ready for West Virginia official visit
Highlights
Committed: June 11
West Palm Beach (Fla.) Palm Beach Central linebacker Antoine Sharp had been committed to UCF since April but West Virginia remained persistent. That began when the program extended a scholarship offer to Sharp in January from defensive coordinator Zac Alley and continued throughout the spring. The athletic linebacker elected to take an official visit to Morgantown June 6-8 and after the trip flipped his commitment to the Mountaineers. Sharp also held offers from Florida State, Missouri, Pittsburgh, Maryland, Indiana and more. He is coming off a season where he recorded 133 tackles with 13.5 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks and interception.
2026 Florida LB Antoine Sharp flips commitment to West Virginia
Commitment 101
Highlights
Committed: June 9
Montgomery (Ala.) Montgomery Catholic linebacker Miles Khatri received an offer from West Virginia in mid-January after the new coaching staff arrived and things only continued to build from that point. Khatri was offered by nickels/sams coach Henry Weinreich and took an official visit to campus June 6-8. The defensive athlete then committed to the Mountaineers giving the program a versatile option. Khatri is coming off a season where he recorded 117 tackles and 4 sacks.
2026 Alabama LB Miles Khatri commits to West Virginia
Commitment 101
Highlights
Committed: June 9
Lake Oswego (Ore.) Lakeridge defensive lineman Noah Tishendorf initially committed to Oregon State in March and the Mountaineers offered the following day. From that point forward West Virginia became a major factor in his recruitment led by the efforts of defensive coordinator Zac Alley and defensive assistant Jake Casteel. Alley traveled out to see Tishendorf during the evaluation period and then he scheduled an official visit to campus June 6-8. That trip and his connection with the staff led to him flipping his commitment to the West Virginia football program. Tishendorf is being recruited as a bandit in the Mountaineers scheme and recorded 20 tackles and 11 sacks as a junior.
2026 pass rusher Noah Tishendorf flips commitment to West Virginia
Commitment 101
Committed pass rusher Noah Tishendorf talks West Virginia
Highlights
Committed: June 9
Moody (Ala.) defensive lineman Cameron Mallory received a scholarship offer from West Virginia in February and things only continued to develop between the two. Defensive line coach William Green served as the lead recruiter and actually recruited Mallory while he was at Jacksonville State. That connection led to an official visit to campus June 6-8 and he would commit to the Mountaineers following the trip. Mallory picked West Virginia over offers from Missouri, Louisville, Georgia Tech, Vanderbilt, Cincinnati and a number of others. The Alabama native is coming off a very productive junior season and could fit into several different positions up front.
2026 DL Cam Mallory commits to West Virginia
Commitment 101
2026 DL Cameron Mallory adds West Virginia to offer list
Highlights
Committed: June 9
Ramsey (N.J.) Don Bosco Prep offensive lineman Rhett Morris had been on the West Virginia radar since the previous coaching staff but things between the two picked up in the spring with offensive line coach Jack Bicknell visiting him. Morris then scheduled an official visit to Morgantown June 6-8 and committed to the program following the trip. Morris is an interior offensive lineman that selected the Mountaineers over offers from Pittsburgh, Virginia Tech, Wake Forest, Boston College and others. Morris had initially committed to Wake Forest but backed off that pledge and the Mountaineers were able to secure his commitment a few months later.
2026 OL Rhett Morris commits to West Virginia
Commitment 101
2026 OL Morris sets spring visit to West Virginia
Highlights
Committed: June 9
Philadelphia (Pa.) St. Joseph’s defensive back Simaj Hill moved squarely on the radar for West Virginia during the evaluation period when cornerbacks coach Rod West stopped by his school. From that point forward Hill became a key target for the Mountaineers and that led to his official visit to campus June 6-8. Hill would then flip his pledge from James Madison to West Virginia giving the program a versatile defensive back that is smooth in coverage. Hill picked the Mountaineers over offers from N.C. State, Syracuse, Wake Forest, Connecticut, Liberty and James Madison.
2026 DB Simaj Hill picks West Virginia
Commitment 101
2026 DB Simaj Hill adds West Virginia offer
Highlights
Committed: June 8
Fresno (Ca.) Fresno City C.C. defensive back Jaylon Jones moved onto the West Virginia radar in the spring and things heated up further after safeties coach Gabe Franklin stopped in to see him during the evaluation period. The junior college prospect then took an official visit to West Virginia June 6-8 and announced his commitment to the program at the end of the trip. Jones is a versatile cover safety that is coming off a freshman season here he recorded five interceptions. Jones has three years remaining.
JUCO DB Jones commits to West Virginia
Commitment 101
Highlights
Wellington (Fla.) Palm Beach Central linebacker Cameron Dwyer has been on the West Virginia target list since early in the process with defensive coordinator Zac Alley offering him a scholarship in January after coming over to the program. The athletic, quick linebacker immediately became a priority for the Mountaineers and developed a strong relationship with the coaching staff. Dwyer collected other offers from Pittsburgh, Wake Forest, South Florida and more but committed to the Mountaineers giving the program a physical linebacker that fits the defensive scheme.
2026 LB Dwyer picks West Virginia
Commitment 101
2026 LB Dwyer amped for West Virginia official visit
Highlights
Springfield (Oh.) athlete Taj Powell had been on the West Virginia radar for quite some time earning a scholarship offer Jan. 24 and making multiple visits to campus for the junior day event Feb. 1 and then for a spring practice in late March. The Mountaineers had always been high on the list for Powell but that only further increased once he was able to meet with and build a relationship with the coaching staff. Nickels/sams coach Henry Weinreich served as the lead recruiter for Powell but several other coaches were involved. The versatile athlete could end up at several different positions on defense ranging from the nickel spot to the sam, but is a long, athletic defender that plays the game with aggression. Picked the Mountaineers over offers from Kentucky and others.
2026 DB Powell commits to West Virginia
Commitment 101
2026 DB Powell excited about developing relationship with West Virginia
Highlights
Committed: April 10
Bixby (Okla.) defensive back Emory Snyder was offered by West Virginia Feb. 13 and things only continued to progress between the two leading to him taking a visit to campus March 10. That trip only further solidified the Mountaineers on his list and he would commit to the program a month later. Snyder is a long, athletic defensive back that is slated to play nickel for West Virginia although he could move to multiple positions. As a junior, Snyder recorded 45 tackles, 14 pass breakups, 6 interceptions and a forced fumble and drew a number of scholarship offers outside of the Mountaineers. Snyder was recruited by nickels/sams coach Henry Weinreich.
2026 DB Snyder commits to West Virginia
Commitment 101
2026 DB Snyder impressed with West Virginia offer
Highlights
Committed: April 5
West Palm Beach (Fla.) Cardinal Newman quarterback Jyron Hughley already had strong ties to the West Virginia football program and that family connection played a role in committing to the Mountaineers. Hughley is the nephew of JaJuan Seider and also had strong ties with several staff members as well. The Florida quarterback was re-offered by the new West Virginia coaches in January and that was a big moment in his recruitment as the Mountaineers were targeting him as a quarterback. Hughley then took an unofficial visit over the March 29 weekend and would commit a few days later giving the football program a dynamic dual-threat quarterback option.
2026 QB Hughley commits to West Virginia
Commitment 101
2026 QB Hughley gets special re-offer from West Virginia
Highlights
Committed: April 2
Georgetown (Tx.) running back Jett Walker received an offer from West Virginia in late January and things only continued to build between him and the Big 12 Conference program. That led to an unofficial visit March 29 where he was able to not only get a look at the campus but the program as well. That led to his commitment a few days later with running backs coach Larry Porter serving as the lead recruiter. Walker rushed for 2,348 yards and 38 touchdowns while averaging over 10 yards per carry and earning District 8-5A most valuable player. He is expected to enroll at the mid-term.
2026 RB Walker commits to West Virginia
Commitment 101
2026 RB Walker talks West Virginia visit, plans for return
2026 RB Walker talks West Virginia offer
Highlights
Committed: February 1
Cincinnati (Oh.) Moeller tight end Sam Hamilton had been on the West Virginia radar since the old coaching staff was in place and things only increased once the new staff took over. Holdover Blaine Stewart handled his initial recruitment, but tight ends coach Michael Nysewander assumed the lead role. Hamilton is a versatile two-way tight end that can not only block but catch the football. After taking a visit to the West Virginia junior day Feb. 1, Hamilton committed to the Mountaineers.
2026 TE Hamilton commits to West Virginia
Commitment 101
2026 TE Hamilton has a good connection with West Virginia
Highlights
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It’s almost over!
That seems to be the dominant feeling swirling around the 2026 Republican Primary.
Almost to a man (or woman), people I have spoken to about this primary have all expressed the same sentiment – they can’t wait until it is over.
That is not that unusual to hear from the candidates, the media covering the election, or your average resident. Running for office is difficult. Campaigning can be exhausting. Meanwhile, voters have grown weary of the advertisements invading their social media, mailboxes, televisions, and radio.
This is especially true this year, in what has become one of the most contentious and expensive primary elections anyone can remember. That is certainly true for a Republican Party that has had the majority in both chambers of the legislature since 2014.
As of May 8, seven Political Action Committees had poured $4.97million into the legislative primary races. Most of that money came from PACs associated with Governor Patrick Morrisey and funded by out-of-state interests.
Morrisey-associated PACs have spent nearly $3 million on legislative races, flooding voters with campaign material, often attacking their political opponents.
The attacks being levied in the ads would lead you to believe West Virginia voters were at a crossroads, forced to pick between a staunch conservative and a radical liberal. One mailer that stood out informed me that this particular candidate “will have my back” when the radical left comes for my guns.
Good to know.
I just wish someone could tell me who the radical left is in West Virginia and where they are coming from.
Many of the attack ads may be technically true, but lack any context or nuance and mislead the voters. Pointing out a candidate’s record, for instance, opposing Governor Morrisey’s $250 million tax cut plan, is certainly fair game. However, it misleads the voter when that same candidate voted in favor of a $150 million tax cut in the most recent legislative session and previously voted for the largest income tax cut in the state’s history.
With that context, the voter gets a very different perspective of the candidate, a perspective that is purposefully omitted from campaign rhetoric.
The purpose of the mailers and other campaign materials attacking candidates is to motivate supporters to go to the polls. Chris Stirewalt pointed out in a 2022 article he penned for the American Enterprise Institute that the political parties are “very much arranged around the idea of motivation over persuasion.”
He continued to point out that the parties have created an atmosphere that “has pushed previously apathetic voters into action.”
Will it work?
It’s hard to say.
Recent polling by State Navigate looked at several key senate races and determined that most of them are neck and neck battles.
Secretary of State Kris Warner reported that early voting totals were actually about 8 percent higher than early turnout for the last off-year primary in 2022.
At least by this time Wednesday, it will all be over… for now.
West Virginia
West Virginia delegate candidates in Wood County split on top issues, from manufacturing to health care rules
PARKERSBURG, W.Va. (WTAP) – Candidates running for seats in the West Virginia House of Delegates in Wood County say their top priorities if elected range from job creation and workforce development to health care policy changes and infrastructure, as they make their case to voters ahead of the election.
Incumbent Delegate Vernon Criss, a Republican running in House District 12, said jobs would be his top focus, arguing Wood County has been left out of state efforts to attract manufacturing.
“It would be jobs,” Criss said. He pointed to what he described as $340 million available through a high-impact, jobs-related manufacturing fund for companies returning to West Virginia, saying the governor “has refused to use these dollars to help the county.” Criss also cited restoring highway funding and funding for drinking water and sewer projects as priorities.
Criss said he would also push for foster care legislation in the next session, noting the governor vetoed a foster care bill this year that he said would have helped families and relatives caring for children in the system.
In House District 13, Republican candidate Melissa McCrady said her leading priority is repealing the state’s certificate of need program, which she said restricts medical facilities and practices from opening in the state.
“The main issue that I would prioritize is the repeal of the certificate of need,” McCrady said, calling it a program that limits a “free market” approach to health care by requiring approvals before certain services can expand.
McCrady said she would also like to repeal the inventory tax on businesses, which she said makes West Virginia less attractive for economic growth. She also said she supports religious and philosophical vaccine exemptions for children and adults in response to future outbreaks.
On education, McCrady said she wants to give teachers and families more voice in Wood County and reduce what she called burdensome requirements and restrictions placed on classrooms. On jobs and cost of living, she said reducing taxes and regulations and allowing the market to develop would create more opportunity for residents.
Incumbent Delegate Scot Heckert, a Republican running in House District 13, said his top issues include “infrastructure, accountability” and school funding.
“Top issues right now is infrastructure, accountability, for the school funding,” Heckert said. He said policy changes depend in part on what he hears from residents, but added he believes the school aid formula should be reviewed and that traditional public schools, homeschooling and charter schools should be held to the same set of rules.
Heckert said the state needs to do more to support teachers and address long-term retirement funding costs. On jobs and workforce development, Heckert said building a workforce is essential and suggested the state should look at incentives and assistance programs to encourage employment.
Asked about transparency and accountability, Heckert said constituents can contact him directly.
“Any constituent of District 13 can call me anytime,” he said, adding, “You can’t have one without the other.”
Criss and McCrady also emphasized transparency as a priority. Criss said the budget process should remain open to the public, while McCrady said she wants to be accessible through office hours and multiple communication channels.
Candidate for House of Delegates district 12 Charles Hartzog was not available to be interviewed.
Voters in Wood County will choose their delegates in House Districts 12 and 13 in the upcoming election. Details on early voting and Election Day locations are available through the county clerk’s office.
Editor’s note: The video for this story will be added once it airs. Please check back for the updated video.
Copyright 2026 WTAP. All rights reserved.
Charleston, W.Va. — An abrupt closure at a Charleston recovery home last week left residents searching for a new place to stay, but members of the local recovery community stepped in to help keep many of them on track.
PAAC House closed its doors Friday after funding issues left employees unpaid for nearly a month, displacing 14 residents, many of whom were still in early sobriety.
For former resident John Boso, the closure came after weeks of uncertainty.
“Services started dropping off, we’d have less counseling, less things going on,” Boso said. “And then before we know it, it’s like, you’ve got to find somewhere else to go.”
Caroline Paxton, a founder of the nonprofit True Freedom, said the sudden disruption raised immediate concerns about residents’ stability.
“I think especially in early sobriety, that’s really stressful for anyone. And so our biggest concern was we want to make sure they were able to continue to stay sober and continue on this like recovery journey,” Paxton said.
Paxton and fellow True Freedom founder Michael Paxton said they already knew many of the men through the nonprofit’s meetings. When they learned the residents had just four days’ notice to find new housing, they began working to secure placements — a process that often involves applications, interviews and fees.
They connected with HopeWorks, a recently opened home, and worked to fast-track interviews the next day. HopeWorks Director Catherine Tyler said she fortunately had many beds open and their transition has been smooth so far.
“They’re doing great so far,” said Tyler. “They are already buddies from the PAAC House, and I think that’s going to be really good for them.”
Six of the men were able to stay together, something former residents said has been critical to their recovery.
“It’s awesome that we’re all together,” one resident said. “Brotherhood was the biggest thing we had going for us. That was the only thing we were sure of.”
The men said despite the sudden closure, due to securing placements they have been able to continue attending meetings and focusing on recovery.
Several residents said they feared the disruption could have pushed them backward in their recovery.
“I was hopeless thought I was going to go right back to the life I was living then bam Mike and Caroline to the rescue it was great,” Alden Smith said.
“I thought I had come all this way for nothing,” said Christian Taylor.
Michael Paxton said helping the men find stability has been worth every effort.
“Just to know these guys, know that they’re safe and they have a place they’re loved. You know, they still have another chance at life,” he said.
Those involved encouraged anyone struggling with addiction to reach out to True Freedom.
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