West Virginia University’s 2026 recruiting class is beginning to take shape, indicating that the February signing period might be relatively uneventful for head coach Rich Rodriguez and his staff. As of now, ESPN’s Craig Haubert has ranked WVU’s class at No. 23 nationally.
During Rodriguez’s first tenure at West Virginia, he successfully developed three-star recruits like Pat White and Steve Slaton into stars. He appears to be on a similar path this time, focusing on building depth rather than solely relying on high-profile recruits. The Mountaineers have snagged commitments from emerging talents such as Christopher Talley, a high-three-star running back from Tennessee, and SirPaul Cheeks, who brings impressive lateral agility and ball skills. Amari Latimer, who was honored as Mr. Georgia, stands out as a potential star within this class.
Unfortunately, Cheeks suffered a season-ending knee injury, limiting his availability until mid-year, making Latimer an essential figure as a complementary back alongside Jacksonville State transfer Cam Cook.
Additionally, Haubert praised the acquisitions of offensive lineman Kevin Brown and safety Matt Sieg, both of whom switched their commitments from Penn State. Brown, a flexible tackle, will help bolster the offensive line that Rodríguez seeks to improve. Sieg is viewed as a crucial addition for the secondary, especially since the team will lose veterans in that area.
The depth of this class provides multiple opportunities for the coaching staff to find players who can excel at the Big 12 level. While the large number of recruits could lead to a mix of successes and failures, landing around 20 quality players would mark a significant victory for the program.
Talents like Brown, Latimer, and Sieg are expected to contribute significantly, and there are also several recruits showing promise. Others like Chris Talley, Camden Goforth, Lamarcus Dillard, Rhett Morris, EDGE Noah Tishendorf, LB Cameron Dwyer, and CB Vincent Smith could become vital assets for the Mountaineers in the years to come.
WVU’s entire 2026 signing class features a diverse roster of quarterbacks, running backs, wide receivers, tight ends, offensive linemen, defensive linemen, edge rushers, linebackers, cornerbacks, and safeties, demonstrating Rodriguez’s strategic investment in building a balanced team for the future. As the recruiting landscape continues to evolve, the Mountaineers are solidifying their foundation for years ahead.