Machiol Commitment Setting WVU Up for Record-High Recruiting Class

There is plenty of recruiting left to do in the 2022 cycle but so far, West Virginia looks to be putting together one of its strongest recruiting classes in a decade. Bolstered by four-star quarterback Nicco Marchiol verbally committing Monday afternoon, WVU’s 2022 recruiting class is currently ranked 28 in the nation by Rivals and 30 by 247Sports, the team’s highest national rankings since 2013.

During Dana Holgorsen’s eight-year stay in Morgantown, WVU’s average national recruiting class ranking was 40 by Rivals and 40.3 by 247. WVU topped out at 25 in Rivals’ rankings and 35 in 247’s during Holgorsen’s tenure in 2013. That class was headlined by four-star linebacker Darrien Howard and four-star wide receiver Shelton Gibson. Receiver Kevin White was also a member of the 2013 class as a three-star junior college transfer.

Other standout classes are 2020 (29 Rivals, 37 247), 2018 (33 Rivals, 35 247) and 2015 (33 Rivals, 35 247). 2020 was headlined by four-stars defensive back David Vincent-Okoli and tight end Chris Mayo. 2018 featured running back Leddie Brown, defensive lineman Dante Stills, tight end TJ Banks and safety Kwantrel Raines. Finally, the 2016 class included defenders Kyzir White and Brendan Ferns.

The team fell out of Rivals’ top-50 classes once, in 2017 ranked at 51 and outside of 247’s top-50 twice, also in 2017 at 57 and again in 2011 at 52.

Under third-year coach Neal Brown, WVU’s recruiting classes have ranked better. Including 2022, WVU’s average rank under Brown is 36.5 for Rivals and 38.8 for 247. WVU’s 2020 class, the first full recruiting cycle under Brown, was ranked 29 by Rivals and 37 by 247.

Marchiol is the eighth member of WVU’s 2022 class and the first four-star prospect to commit. the Other seven recruits have all been three-star prospects; defensive backs Mumu Bin-Wahad and Tyrin Woodbey, offensive linemen Sully Weidman, Charlie Katarincic and Maurice Hamilton, receiver Jarel Williams and tight end Corbin Page.