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Joe Wickline makes a splash

You entered the weekend wondering about two big names in West Virginia’s recruiting repertoire, and you emerged from it with two big commitments — and the Mountaineers are in the final dead period before Wednesday and still waiting on, or withholding, word on where Brendan Ferns and Kyzir White stand.

Those worries were at least eased when WVU picked up commitments from two junior college All-Americans: running back Justin Crawford and offensive lineman Craig Smith.

Crawford comes with heavy credentials: first-team All-America, national offensive player of the year … and no wonder. He’s a big, big reason why his team won the national title.


There’s a good bit of Charles Sims in there, no? And I guess I’ll say it: He doesn’t shake or run away from many people (either). But his offensive line is running a lot of power plays in the highlights, and that’s something he’ll see a lot with the Mountaineers.

And if there’s some Sims, there’s then some Smallwood, and that’s important. A month ago, Crawford wasn’t coming to WVU. The backfield back then was going to have Smallwood, Rushel Shell and Donte Thomas-WIlliams and consider freshmen Martell Pettaway and Kennedy McCoy, who’s already enrolled. Smallwood’s dash for the NFL changed things, and Crawford, who committed to Louisville two years ago, is a pretty good replacement with three years left to play two seasons.

Like Crawford, Scott wasn’t going to be with the Mountaineers until recently, either.

The mammoth left tackle was committed to South Florida, but WVU got him to switch. (Aside: He was going to FAMU two years ago. Significant upgrade with a two-year detour.) I’ve seen him listed between 6-foot-5 and two inches taller in a series of old and recent clippings, and his weight is either 305 or 320 pounds or somewhere between or beyond, but he it seems like he can handle himself on the edge. Marquis Lucas did graduate, but I have to think Smith’s a redshirt candidate.


Ah, but the reason for the headline? These are late additions, and schools really have to hustle to flip kids or create and solidify relationships near the finish line, but the Mountaineers did it. Twice. How? Try who. Joe Wickline, WVU’s offensive coordinator, was involved in both.

WVU has 25 players signed/committed to the recruiting class, and though that’s the limit for a signing class, there’s still room. WVU is counting five of the nine players already enrolled for last year, meaning the Mountaineers have room for five more.