SHOCKWAVE IN BIG 12: Top Recruit Stuns Nation, Decommits and Commits to WVU Over Alabama and Georgia
In a stunning twist that’s shaking the very foundation of college football recruiting, one of the most sought-after players in the 2026 class has decommitted from a Big 12 powerhouse and pledged his future to the West Virginia Mountaineers—rejecting national juggernauts Alabama and Georgia in the process.
The player, whose identity is being talked about across every recruiting board and sports forum, had long been considered a lock for one of the major SEC powerhouses. After originally committing to a top Big 12 school—widely believed to be either Texas or Oklahoma—the four-star (possibly five-star) recruit shocked the college football world with a bombshell announcement late Wednesday night via social media.
“After a lot of prayer, thought, and conversations with my family and coaches, I’ve decided to decommit from [Big 12 school] and will be committing to West Virginia University. I’m ready to build something special in Morgantown,” the athlete posted, alongside a graphic of himself in a WVU jersey, standing in Milan Puskar Stadium.
This move is a massive win for WVU head coach Neal Brown and his staff, who have faced intense scrutiny and pressure to deliver results on the recruiting trail. This commitment not only silences critics but elevates the Mountaineers’ national recruiting profile in a dramatic fashion.
Turning Down Powerhouses
What makes this move even more shocking is who West Virginia beat out for the commitment. According to multiple reports, Alabama and Georgia both made strong final pushes for the elite prospect, hosting him on recent visits and pitching him on playing for perennial national title contenders. Sources say Alabama’s Nick Saban (or his successor) and Georgia’s Kirby Smart were “personally involved” in the recruiting process.
Yet the player chose WVU—a program without a national title and currently rebuilding—citing culture, fit, and the chance to make history.
“This wasn’t about the biggest name,” the recruit told 247Sports in an exclusive interview. “It was about where I felt at home. Coach Brown made me feel like a priority from Day 1. I believe in what they’re building at WVU, and I want to be the one to help lead them back to national prominence.”
A Statement of Intent
Recruiting insiders are calling the move one of the biggest wins in West Virginia’s modern football history. The decision is expected to have a ripple effect, possibly encouraging other high-profile recruits to take a second look at Morgantown.
“This could be a program-changing moment,” said one national analyst. “This kid is a tone-setter. You don’t win battles over Alabama and Georgia unless something special is happening.”
West Virginia fans erupted on social media following the announcement, with “#TrustTheClimb” trending nationwide.
With this headline-grabbing commitment, the Mountaineers have firmly inserted themselves into the national recruiting conversation—and sent a message that they’re no longer just an underdog. They’re here to compete with the giants.
