WVU Sits High With 2020 3-Star OL Tariq Stewart

Since they’re graduating two offensive tackles, West Virginia has an immediate need on the offensive line and they have someone in their sights.

Tariq Stewart, a 3-star offensive tackle from ASA Junior College in New York, is someone that the Mountaineers have been recruiting for a while but didn’t officially offer until last week. Stewart (6’6″, 335) now holds offers from WVU, Maryland, Tennessee, Boise State, Old Dominion and UTSA.

WV Sports Now had a chance this afternoon to talk with Stewart to get his thoughts on the offer and where the Mountaineers currently sit with him.

Courtesy of Tariq Stewart

“West Virginia has been talking to me since I got to ASA two springs ago,” Stewart told WV Sports Now. “Scott Gasper (WVU Recruiting Coordinator) and Matt Moore (WVU Offensive Line Coach) they’ve been consistent throughout this whole process and they finally ended up pulling the trigger a couple days ago.”

“Recruiting me this long and then offering shows their loyalty towards me but at the same time, I have to come visit the school. I now have to visit and see what WVU has to offer. From what I’ve heard and from what I’ve researched, it’s a really good place for student athletes especially because they don’t want to see them fail. They’ll do anything they can to help athletes and the proof is in the pudding. I’ve talked to guys that have gone there especially from my area (Cleveland) and have went on to be successful.”

Despite getting a lot of attention from them and assuming that an offer would be coming, officially receiving the news was a big deal for Stewart.

Courtesy of Tariq Stewart

“Of course, it was. It’s West Virginia and I was elated to officially get the offer,” said Stewart. “I was on the phone with Matt Moore and he told me which got me really excited because West Virginia is only three hours from my hometown.”

“From what I’m being told, they’re losing two players at the tackle spot so they want me to come in and compete immediately for a tackle position even though I have the flexibility to play either inside or outside. I’m not saying that I wouldn’t want to play guard because I have nothing against it, but tackle is where they’re looking at me for which they’ve made clear.”

🚨Mid Season Highlights🚨

Tairiq Stewart
Offensive Tackle
6’5” 325 lbs@AsaAvengers
May 2020 Grad (3 for 2)https://t.co/cMs6ljEAm2

— Tairiq Stewart (@BigRiqq) October 9, 2019

Although Stewart is high on West Virginia, he tells me that he’s also looking at Maryland, Old Dominion, UTSA, Liberty, San Jose State and Western Kentucky.

“As far as West Virginia goes, I was on the phone with Coach Moore and he talked about me making an official visit between December 5 and December 18.”