Updated June 3, 2026 09:14AM
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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Explore the peaks and valleys of the Allegheny Range on two wheels
(Photo: Pocahontas County)
Some places are just made for biking. Start with just-right rolling terrain, add diverse riding surfaces from singletrack to country roads, and top it all off with epic scenery. That’s Pocahontas County, West Virginia, home to the rolling Allegheny Mountains and shady trails of the Monongahela National Forest and rightfully known as Nature’s Mountain Playground. It’s a place with accessible outdoor adventure for all ages and vibrant mountain towns that ground the experience in welcoming rural communities. And when you explore from the seat of a bike, you’ll go at the perfect pace for taking it all in, with long-distance rail trails, scenic highways, and world-class mountain biking terrain to guide your way.
Ride the Rails
A day of cycling along Pocahontas County’s river trails is one of the most immersive ways to experience the quiet splendor of the Alleghenies. Get a taste along the iconic Greenbrier River Trail, which meanders alongside its namesake waterway for 78 miles through lush forests and thriving wildlife habitats. Go the full distance or take it in sections. With a grade of less than 1% throughout, the trail is accessible to most riders—gravel and mountain bikes or e-bikes are recommended—while unique features like its 37 bridge crossings and two 400-plus-foot tunnels make it more than just a simple river ride. The same can be said of the 22-mile West Fork Trail, a remote route that offers plenty of opportunities for hiking and fishing side quests. E-bikes are not permitted on this trail since it’s within the Monongahela National Forest.
Pocahontas County Trails
Sample the Singletrack
Beginner, expert, or somewhere in between? No matter where you are on the mountain biking spectrum, Pocahontas County has trails for you. Novice riders can experience a truly unique outing at the Green Bank Observatory, home to the world’s largest steerable radio telescope, along with 15-plus miles of beginner and intermediate trails. If you’re looking to progress your skills, head to the Mower Basin Trail System, a haven of beginner and intermediate riding where shady singletrack opens to rolling meadows and panoramic views along 12-plus miles of stacked loop trails. Mower Basin is also a conservation success story—once cleared for strip mining, the area is now a budding home for both red spruce trees and outdoor recreation.
Mower Basin Trails
Meanwhile, the downhill mecca of Snowshoe Mountain Resort plays host to nearly 40 trails and 1,500 vertical feet of lift-serviced riding, offering everything from easy freeride trails to technical descents and park-focused features. Known as one of the East’s best mountain bike parks, Snowshoe also offers access to its own backcountry trail system.
Snowshoe Mountain Resort Trails
Country Roads
When it comes to road riding, the jewel of Pocahontas County is the Highland Scenic Highway. This 43-mile National Scenic Byway is the kind of road that cyclists dream of. This low-traffic route climbs from 2,325 feet to more than 4,500, delivering challenging terrain and expansive views of some of the most remote reaches of the Allegheny Range along the way.
And while all cycling is great in Nature’s Mountain Playground, gravel riders are especially spoiled. That’s because the Mon Forest Towns Partnership has put together an extensive collection of gravel routes throughout the Monongahela National Forest, with 60-plus rides ranging from casual day adventures to serious multiday bikepacking trips. An overnight or all-day ride in Pocahontas County is an ideal way to experience one of the country’s most rugged and remote landscapes, fittingly curated by those who call it home.
Pocahontas County Convention & Visitors Bureau (PCCVB), located in West Virginia, promotes Nature’s Mountain Playground, where unspoiled landscapes, rich heritage, and year-round outdoor recreation create meaningful visitor experiences. Through strategic marketing and partnerships, PCCVB supports sustainable tourism that strengthens local communities while preserving the region’s natural beauty and cultural legacy.
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) – West Virginia Virtual Academy celebrated its second graduating class Tuesday at the Clay Center.
The ceremony featured a keynote speech and performance from West Virginia native and season six winner of America’s Got Talent’ Landau Eugene Murphy Jr., where he set out to inspire the class.
The class graduated 140 students, with eight earning a Promise Scholarship and 26 intending to attend college in the fall.
The academy’s director Doug Cipoletti said the virtual learning is about more than sitting behind a screen.
“Then we provide this [ceremony] where kids can actually come together and meet one another and build those relationships,” Cipoletti said. “So yes, we’re a virtual school, but there’s a lot more to it than just being behind a computer and I think that really shows today.”
West Virginia Virtual Academy is a K-12 school.
Copyright 2026 WSAZ. All rights reserved.
West Virginia
West Virginia Democrats have an open competition at the top of the state party – WV MetroNews
West Virginia Democrats have a competition for leader of the state party.
Teresa Toriseva, who currently serves as first vice chair of the West Virginia Democratic Party, says she is running for the top spot currently held by Mike Pushkin, who also serves as a state delegate from Charleston.
“This is not a civil war within the Democratic Party. On the contrary, the party is quite unified in message and in mission. And that’s what I found as I’ve been campaigning to run for chair, and I’ve never believed it to be more true,” Toriseva said on MetroNews Midday. “It’s an exciting time for what is a growing, robust opposition party.”
But, “There has been a call for us to prepare for the future better and differently than the past and one of those things that I’m going to be focusing on is building relationships with coalition members from groups that think like us, groups that want to work together with us, from labor to women’s groups to organizing groups that are on the ground doing the work, bringing messages to voters.”
Toriseva is a Wheeling attorney who ran in 2024 for state attorney general, losing in the general election.
Democrats, which used to be the dominant political party in West Virginia, now have almost 327,000 registered voters in the state, about 27% of the overall number of registered voters.
The Republican Party has more than 521,000 registered voters, about 43% of the total number.
Toriseva says Democrats have had a successful period of candidate recruitment that can serve as a base for revitalization.
“Democrats are back, and does that mean we’re going to look like we did a decade ago? No, it’s a new party, and we’re moving forward in a new way, but the future is going to look very different than the past,” she said.
Democrats, under the direction of their own bylaws and state code, are having an organizational meeting at 3 p.m. Saturday in Charleston. The meeting’s focus will be on the election of officers. The meeting will be broadcast to the public via wvdemocrats.com/live
Toriseva has worked alongside Pushkin as one of the top officers of the party for the past several years.
“It’s either have an election now or anoint the incumbent for four more years, and so I do think that elections are healthy, that competitive elections are a sign of a growing and robust party and I don’t think that it’s any indication of a civil war,” Toriseva said.
Pushkin, in response, agreed that anyone is entitled to run for chair and make their case to the members of the executive committee.
And he said the resurgence of the West Virginia Democratic Party has been the result of the hard work of county committees, labor organizations, women’s clubs, Young Democrats, grassroots activists, candidates and countless volunteers across the state.
“What leadership does deserve credit for is creating a plan, bringing people together around that plan, and providing the tools and support necessary to execute it. Our record-breaking candidate recruitment effort did not happen by accident,” Pushkin said.
He said party leaders developed an organizing strategy, held weekly recruitment calls, engaged county leaders and allied organizations, launched the first large-scale candidate recruitment texting program in party history and raised funds to cover filing fees for candidates willing to step forward and put their names on the ballot.
“The question before us now is not who gets credit. The question is whether we continue building on that momentum or allow ourselves to become distracted by internal disagreements while Republicans remain deeply divided,” Pushkin said.
“My focus remains exactly where it has always been: bringing Democrats together, supporting our candidates and taking the fight to Republicans every single day.”
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