By Keenan Cummings
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Senior days are often for goodbyes.
It’s a time to reflect on the careers of players that have poured out their hearts and souls over the four or five years they’ve been in the West Virginia football program. This Saturday, prior to the Oklahoma State game, will be no different on that front as the Mountaineers say goodbye to 22 seniors on the roster.
But it also can be a time for new beginnings on the recruiting trail as the home game affords the program the opportunity to host visitors that could make an impact on the future of the team.
WVU is set to host at least one official visitor this weekend at a position of need in Perkinston (Miss.) Gulf Coast C.C. cornerback Jackie Matthews. The program jumped in with a scholarship offer to the junior college target in October and there is a built-in connection considering that he is the cousin of current Mountaineers wide receiver T.J. Simmons.
Matthews, at 6-foot and 180 pounds, could potentially play across the Mountaineers secondary and would be a critical addition as the program looks to rebuild with several seniors graduating. Cornerbacks coach Jahmile Addae is the lead recruiter for Matthews and already has developed a strong bond.
“Coach Addae is a great coach and a better man. That’s my guy,” Matthews said.
The Alabama native has collected 10 scholarship offers this season, including recently from Central Florida, but the idea of patrolling the secondary in the pass-happy Big 12 is certainly appealing.
Matthews would have two seasons remaining in his college career and is set to graduate in December, making him an attractive mid-year prospect from the junior college ranks. Perhaps with a good visit, those two years could be spent in Morgantown.
Outside of the official visitor, expect a large number of unofficial visits for the season finale as the coaching staff looks to put the finishing touches on the 2020 class, as well as get a jump start for the 2021 cycle. The focus will be on what’s unfolding on the field Saturday, but in the stands, there could be some of the building blocks for the program’s future foundation.
