Asti: 2024 3-Star WR Prospect Lamar Booker Could be Great Fit for WVU Offensive Strategy

Athletic and versatile are two attributes any team would want in a receiver, and they are two qualities that Lamar Booker Jr. surely brings to the table.

It now seems like the West Virginia football program is becoming aware of the class of 2024 Richmond, Virginia native. WVSN caught up with Booker, a three-star Varina High School recruit ranked within the top 20 prospects in the state by both 247 Sports and Rivals, to discuss his recruitment so far and learn more about why he could be a great fit at WVU.

Booker says WVU wide receivers coach Bilal Marshall, who has been making it his mission to restock the Mountaineers with receiver talent for the future since taking over the job a couple months ago, sounded eager when they talked recently. “He loves my athleticism and wants me to get on to campus as soon as possible,” Booker told Mike Asti about the conversation.

And the proof is in the pudding from there since Brooker was invited to visit Morgantown again.

Excited to be back in Morgantown on March 4th! 🏔️💛💙 pic.twitter.com/dJP11KHCMp

— Lamar Booker Jr. (@LamarBookerJr1) February 25, 2023

West Virginia’s interest in Booker, even in the midst of his ongoing connection to programs like Virginia Tech, Virginia and Penn State, could be due to the fit he could be in the shift in the offense. Last season most of WVU’s offensive success with former offensive coordinator Graham Harrell, labeled as an “Air Raid” coach, came on the ground. The consistency of the running game in 2022 and the construction of the current roster will put the Mountaineer back to looking to the ground game to gain most of their yards in 2023. The promotion of Chad Scott to offensive coordinator after having spent most of his time at WVU working with the running backs adds even more fuel to that plan.

Asti: Promoting Chad Scott to OC Actually Makes Sense for West Virginia Football

“I feel like I fit well in a spread type of offense where I can be use in many different ways,” said Booker. And while the Mountaineers won’t be running a traditional spread offense like the one fans remember from the Rich Rodriguez and Pat White days, the focus on the running and the dual threat ability of both Garrett Greene and Nicco Marchiol, with them competing for the starting position, incorporating a receiver who feels comfortable in that type of system could work wonders. Booker expanded further saying, “wether it be to spread the field or I can be used underneath” to clarify that he can be used well in multiple ways.

Listed at 6’2″, 190 pounds, Booker has the size to win one-on-one battles and be difficult for any defender to bring down after the catch. His strength is what may make him his money on the field and a dual threat quarterback could buy him the time to separate and get open too. Think Tampa Bay Buccaneers receiver Mike Evans, an NFL comparison offered by Booker himself.

Even though Booker hasn’t received an official offer from the Mountaineers yet, that may vey well come after Marshall and the rest of the coaching staff sees the fit he could be in person. Regardless, he already has options, but also says he is in no rush to make a decision or commit anywhere. “I’m not really sure, maybe after the first game next season or at the end of summer,” Booker responded when asked about his timetable. That may benefit programs like WVU trying to get into the Booker business and swing him their way.

He’s not locked in anywhere and mostly just focused on the rest of high and school and what he needs to do to improve as a player. “My goal is first team All-State, All-Metro and All-Prep metro and put up 1,000 yards,” he has listed as his goals in mind for his senior season. “I’m going to improve on my ability to catch in traffic,” Booker then freely included, knowing his game is far from a finished product, making him sound very coachable.

Booker is someone to keep an eye on now as a fit for West Virginia.