Ye olde notebook:
Tuesday was a cause for celebration across the Mountain State.
Oh, sure. Yes, it was West Virginia's birthday. I'm sure some raised a glass for BD No. 154. But there was a ton more joy over the NCAA's declaration that ex-Florida quarterback Will Grier can begin the upcoming season on the field for WVU.
Mountaineer fans rejoiced. And certainly sports writers around the state rejoiced. Finally, finally, finally the questions about Grier's status can cease. (Can I get a hallelujah? Can I get an amen?)
Now the questions can turn from eligibility to football. Grier thrived in Jim McElwain's UF offense in Gainesville. Will he thrive in that of WVU's Dana Holgorsen and Jake Spavital? Will the Mountaineer offensive line and wide receiver corps give Grier the tools he needs to succeed? And, most important, can the quarterback stay healthy?
If the answer is yes to all of the above, West Virginia should indeed be a Big 12 contender. Whatever the case, though, I'm sure Mountaineer Director of Athletics Shane Lyons and Senior Associate Athletic Director Matt Wells are smiling. Their efforts to sell season tickets just received a nice boost.
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Even before the news of Grier popped, yours truly was uncovering info regarding WVU men's basketball recruiting.
As many Mountaineer fans know, Wisconsin standout Jordan McCabe has committed for 2018. Word is he fared well in the most recent guard-oriented NBPA Top 100 Camp in Charlottesville, Virginia.
Anyway, expect WVU's 2018 class to expand over the next few months. This is the time of year for that. And I've uncovered some names to watch.
Like Keldon Johnson, a 6-foot-5, five-star guard currently on Huntington Prep's basketball team.
Prep coach Arkell Bruce on Tuesday confirmed Mountaineer assistant Larry Harrison has been heavily recruiting the South Hill, Virginia, native. Johnson, the nation's No. 27 player according to 247Sports, has been to Morgantown for a football game, toured the basketball practice facility, etc.
Bruce said the player is "wide open" and has received offers from about every school - including Kentucky - except North Carolina. Landing Johnson would be a major coup for Mountaineer coach Bob Huggins.
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An updated 2018 ESPN 100 hoops list was recently released and two players listed show offers from WVU. One is Montez Mathis, a 6-4 shooting guard from John Carroll High in Maryland. He's ranked No. 99.
At No. 44, however, is four-star Jerome Hunter, a 6-7 forward from Pickerington North High in Ohio.
"WVU offered Jerome early last fall or late last summer," said North coach Jason Bates. "Coach Harrison has been in contact a lot and Coach Huggins has been to a couple games. They've been pretty consistent with him over the last year."
Bates said Hunter has 17 offers, including from Pitt, Xavier, Michigan, Ohio State and North Carolina State. Word is new OSU coach Chris Holtmann has made Hunter a priority.
"Very versatile," Bates said. "Extremely talented. A 6-7 shooter that's always been a post player. Now he's a true wing. He also defends very well."
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More? Sure. West Virginia entertained 2019 point guard Jeremiah Francis of Pickerington Central High in Ohio this week. (Are you sensing a pattern?)
"He was there on Sunday," said Central coach Eric Krueger. "He did really well. I just spoke with Coach Huggins and Coach Harrison this [Tuesday] morning. They really love him."
He, too, is a four-star player and has been ranked No. 2 overall in Ohio. In addition to WVU, Ohio State, Purdue, TCU and Virginia Tech have offered, according to Krueger. North Carolina has shown interest.
"He likes West Virginia a lot," Krueger said. "He had a great time on his unofficial visit and likes the players and staff a lot."
As a player?
"He's attacking," said the coach. "He's strong with the basketball. He's a floor leader, but can score in bunches. Not a lot he can't do. Tough. A winner."
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OK, fine. Here's one for the road.
And this one is courtesy of Chad Dawson, a DuPont High grad and current coach of Virginia high school 4A state champion Loudoun Valley.
See, the Vikings will be returning the 4A Player of the Year in Jordan Miller, who averaged 22.9 points last season. The team is 56-2 over the last two seasons.
"We were up [in Morgantown] this past weekend," Dawson said Tuesday. "Three of the five [WVU] coaches think Jordan is ready, but there's not a consensus. They are going to watch him again in July."
Dawson said George Mason and Towson have offered and Youngstown coach and ex-WVU assistant Jarrod Calhoun called on Tuesday. Virginia has also been watching.
Dawson, by the way, not only hails from DuPont, he attended school at Marshall and Fairmont State University. His team toured FSU over the weekend courtesy of Falcons coach Joe Mazzulla.
Contact Mitch Vingle at 304-348-4827 or mitchvingle@wvgazettemail.com. Follow him on Twitter @MitchVingle.