West Virginia residents have always known the state is Almost Heaven.
But lately we've also been able to boast of stars within.
Just check last season's football recruiting class from the state. Seven - count 'em - players not only signed with Division I schools, but at Power 5 conference universities: South Charleston's Derrek Pitts, Morgantown's Mav Wolfley and Fairmont's Darius Stills (WVU); Huntington's Billy Ross (North Carolina); Spring Valley's Riley Locklear (Tennessee), Capital's Dorian Etheridge (Louisville); and Point Pleasant's Seth Stewart (LSU).
As a group, that has to be the greatest class in state history, right?
"I've been coaching in this state for 19 years," said Spring Valley coach Brad Dingess. "I can't remember anything like that. Says a lot about our state. There isn't a whole lot of us, but we're doing well."
"It's great for the state," said Huntington's Billy Seals. "It shows we've got talent."
With more in the pipeline.
In the 2018 class, there's four-star defensive tackle Dante Stills of Fairmont Senior. Of course, he's the brother of Darius and the son of former WVU standout Gary, who played nine seasons in the NFL. He's rated the nation's No. 28 defensive tackle of the class by 247 Sports.
In the 2019 class, there are even more stars. Huntington offensive tackle Darnell Wright, in fact, was just tabbed as the nation's No. 3 offensive tackle and the 46th best player overall by 247. He's rated a four-star recruit.
"He's such a big young man," said Seals. "He's 15 and won't turn 16 until August. Yet he's a legit 6-foot-6, 290 pounds and is so athletic. That's what separates him from a lot of linemen."
Coaches know. Already Wright has offers from WVU, Marshall, Florida, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Louisville, North Carolina and North Carolina State, among others.
"WVU offered after our second game last season," Seals said. "We were playing Spring Valley and I challenged him. I told him there were three Division I players in the game [Ross, Locklear and Doug Nester] and he wasn't one of them.
"He ended up playing really, really well and since then, Katy bar the door. After he dominated, everything lit up like a Christmas tree."
Seals' program has been on a roll in regard to recruits. This past Saturday, Marshall offered 6-4, 270-pound Max Howell, who will play right tackle this coming season.
Yet I mentioned Wright was going against three D-I players. And you knew of Ross and Locklear. But, yeah, there's that Nester guy of Spring Valley.
All he's ranked by 247 is the No. 5 offensive tackle nationally and the 49th best player overall. Again, four stars is the rating.
"He's the whole package," said Dingess. "He's big, tall, long and smart. Fundamentally, he's far ahead of those his age. He's everything you'd want in a kid."
Again, the word is out. Nester already has 15 offers. The list: WVU, Marshall, Florida, Tennessee, Vanderbilt, LSU, Ole Miss, Louisville, North Carolina, Virginia, Virginia Tech, Maryland, Ohio State, Oklahoma and Texas State.
"He's still open," Dingess said. "We'll try to go places this summer. But I don't see him going too far away from home."
With one possible exception. Dingess said Nester has been friends with the son of Florida assistant coach Ja'Juan Seider since the coach was working at Marshall.
"Doug loves WVU," Dingess said. "But he's not in a big hurry."
Dingess, by the way, said WVU has also offered a scholarship to Spring Valley fullback/linebacker Owen Porter. The Class AAA 220-pound state wrestling champ (the first ever for Spring Valley) could fill a role with the Mountaineers similar to that of former Timberwolves standout Elijah Wellman, according to the coach.
So the state is in good shape again in regard to football recruiting. Four have outstanding offers to Power 5 conferences. Howell and George Washington High's Grant Wells have offers from Marshall. Charlotte has also offered Wells, and Wake Forest is paying the quarterback a visit Tuesday, so another Kanawha Valley athlete could make the Power 5 list. Army apparently likes St. Albans guard Will Anderson. And there's time for talents like Capital's Kerry Martin and GW's Ja'Quan Hall.
We'll keep our eyes on the skies.