WVU Football to Host 2027 WPIAL RB for Iowa State Game Visit

A big game creates a big opportunity for the WVU football program to host recruits. West Virginia will welcome a top player from the nearby WPIAL in Western Pennsylvania to campus on Saturday ahead of their showdown with Iowa State.

2027 running back Jance Henry Jr. of Central Valley High School will be making another tip to Morgantown this weekend, per our partner Pittsburgh Sports Now. Henry is no stranger to WVU and most recently visited for the season opener against Penn State.

Listed at 5-foot-8 and 200 pounds, Henry has recorded 365 yards and scored five touchdowns so far during the 2024 high school season. He also serves as a kick returner.

After his upcoming return to WVU, Henry also has game day visits scheduled to Maryland and Wisconsin over the next couple weeks. Despite having multiple years left of high school, Henry has already been stacking offers. Other than WVU and the others already mentioned, Henry has offers from Michigan State, Ole Miss, Pitt, Syracuse, UCF, UNLV and several others.

#BeyondBlessed pic.twitter.com/WnOpk1wVTN

— Jance Henry Jr (@jance_jr) June 5, 2024

Back in May, Henry discussed his focus and mentality with Pittsburgh Sports Now.

“For me, I really don’t look at it as competing with other freshmen, I consider myself to be competing against top-level guys like seniors that are already committed,” said Henry. “My goal is to one day get to that level. I’m just working, and the offers are nice but I’m more focused on just putting the work in every day. If I put the work in, the outcome of that will be the outcome, whatever that may be.

“I believe that all the coaches are able to see the work that I’m putting in and they’re liking it. My dad and I talk and just say that we’ll continue to work hard to get better and whatever comes, it will come. My only focus is on my main goal, which is to get better.”

Henry is no doubt doing that and has gotten better since the start of last season. Despite his age, college coaches are already impressed with the way Henry is able to impact the game as a running back.

“They always mention about how I’m such a young guy but I’m a downhill runner,” said Henry. “They like how I’m not scared of anything, and they like my vision. And when it’s that time, I have the breakaway speed.

“Right after the season, my dad, coach Lyons and I sat down and watched some film. We decided that we’re going to work on my cuts, trying to get more explosive. So, when it’s that time and coaches turn on my Huddle tape, they’ll see top guy speed and top guy cuts.”

Find more coverage of WVU football recruiting at WV Sports Now.