2022 German Edge Aric Burton Becomes 9th Commitment in WVU’s 2022 Class

Since arriving in the United States from Bavaria, Germany, the recruiting process has been a wild ride for Aric Burton.

Burton, a 2022 weak-side defensive end from Clearwater Academy International in Clearwater, Florida, didn’t have any offers this time one month ago, and since joining Brandon Collier’s PPI Recruits, he’s picked up offers from WVU, Minnesota, Arizona State, Kansas, Charlotte and Arkansas State.

He’s now officially the 9th commit in WVU’s 2022 recruiting class, confirming the news with West Virginia Sports Now.

Committed 💙💛⛰🇺🇸🇩🇪 #COMMITTED #TrustTheClimb #AlmostHeaven @WVUfootball @CoachLesley_WVU @CoachJaxDL @NealBrown_WVU @BCollierPPI @PPIRecruits pic.twitter.com/PT03h9hmNc

— Aric Burton🆎🇺🇸🇩🇪 (@BurtonAric) June 28, 2021

“One month ago, I didn’t even have one offer and no contact with coaches,” Burton said. “And since I joined the PPI tour on June 1st, I had six offers and now I’m committing. That’s crazy, I wouldn’t have imagined that two months ago.”

Burton (6-foot-5, 210 pounds) originally drove 11 hours from Tallahassee to West Virginia, staying at a hotel, before driving to Morgantown in the morning for WVU’s Take Me Home camp on June 7th. His strong camp performance was enough to earn an offer from WVU coaches.

In the weeks since, Burton’s traveled across the country, attending camps at major schools from Oklahoma to Texas A&M and more, before finally returning to Morgantown for an official visit on June 23rd.

“I had my official visit last week, and I just fell in love with the program, how [WVU head] coach [Neal] Brown is developing the program,” Burton said. “I just love the culture there.”

Had an amazing Official visit at @WVUfootball ‼️ #AlmostHeaven @CoachLesley_WVU @NealBrown_WVU @CoachJaxDL @BCollierPPI @PPIRecruits @CoachJesse18 @CAIKnightsFB pic.twitter.com/CuB4OhhZRO

— Aric Burton🆎 (@BurtonAric) June 26, 2021

Brown and the WVU coaching staff have been huge factors in bringing Burton to Morgantown, communicating with him frequently. While in Morgantown on his official visit, Burton even got to sit down for lunch with Brown at his home to just talk and have a good time.

The way Brown has been developing the program has also been a major factor in Burton and other 2022 recruits deciding to pledge themselves to WVU. Burton acknowledged the period of so-so years for WVU football and how he’s seen that Brown wants to change that. And Burton is honored to be a part of that process.

@BurtonAric is a LB at 6’5 215 with really loose hips!!! This kid has turned into a potential 4⭐️ kid!

Will get huge offers pic.twitter.com/6QDbT6UNKw

— Brandon Collier (@BCollierPPI) June 10, 2021

While Burton still has his senior season of high school left, getting his highly-anticipated first taste of American high school football with CAI this fall, he’s hoping to make it to Morgantown as early as possible.

“I’m planning to graduate high school early, but I still have to figure that out,” Burton said. “But the plan is to graduate early and be there in January or February.”

Regardless of when Burton will finally make it out to WVU, the Mountaineers will be getting a hard-working family man with almost limitless potential off the edge.