BY KEENAN CUMMINGS
MORGANTOWN — The WVUclass of 2022 commitment total roseto 15 with the pledge of Philadelphia Neumann-Goretti linebacker Raleigh Collins.
Collins, at 6-foot-3 and 190 pounds, isn’t a new name on the Mountaineers recruiting board, but circumstances changed significantly since the program first extended a scholarship offer last summer.
The Rivals.com 3-star prospect was initially offered as a cornerback, but after working out in front of the coaches at the 7-on-7 camp and then holding a private workout, was offered at outside linebacker. That position is one that will accentuate his skill set and give the Mountaineers an athletic option.
Given his frame, Collins has the ability to add weight at the college level and the athleticism to play in space at the Will spot in the Mountaineers’ defensive scheme.
Collins picked WVU over fellow finalist Penn State, but also held offers from Oregon, Mississippi, Pitt, Maryland and Kansas, among others.
Running backs coach Chad Scott handled the initial portion of his recruitment, and lately, inside linebackers coach Jeff Koonz played a valuable role in reeling in the talented athlete.
Collins has ties to West Virginia with both his mother coming from West Hamlin and his father the Montgomery area. That initially had the program on his short list, but things only continued to develop from there to strength that overall connection.
He took multiple trips to Morgantown in person in June and also was able to take virtual visits to campus in order to get a strong feeling for the program.
Collins is the first linebacker commitment for WVU in the 2022 class with high priority targets such as Miami (Fla.) Central linebacker Wesley Bissainthe and Miami (Fla.) Gulliver Prep linebacker Travious Lathan also taking official visits in June.
Collins is the first of several key dominoes to fall in the coming weeks with 4-star prospects Philadelphia Neumann-Goretti wide receiver Kevin Thomas (July 31) and Birmingham (Mich.) Groves athlete Jaden Mangham (Aug. 1) both committing soon and each having the Mountaineers right at the top of their lists.
Momentum is certainly rolling downhill for the WVU 2022 recruiting class.
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