MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Two days prior to the start of the early national signing period, West Virginia’s football team received a commitment from one of the state’s most decorated recruits in the last decade.
Defensive end Zeiqui Lawton, a 2021 graduate of South Charleston High School, announced through social media his commitment to West Virginia.
Committed ??〽️ #HailWV #TrustTheClimb #304 #hometownhero @NealBrown_WVU @CoachJaxDL @CoachLesley_WVU @WVUfootball pic.twitter.com/5MxNKmgE9i
— Zeiqui Lawton (@ZeiquiL) December 13, 2021
The 6-foot-3, 266-pound Lawton spent this season at Cincinnati, and after not playing a snap for the Bearcats through their first nine games, he announced his intention to enter the transfer portal last month.
Lawton chose Cincinnati over the likes of West Virginia, Boise State, Illinois, Oregon, Nebraska and Indiana. He could enroll at WVU as early as January 2022 and still has four seasons of college eligibility.
A standout for the Black Eagles, Lawton was awarded the Sam Huff Award for his efforts in 2020 at South Charleston. That honor is bestowed upon the state’s top defensive player.
Lawton was named Cincinnati’s scout team defensive player of the week by head coach Luke Fickell on Novemeber 4 — one week before entering the transfer portal.
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While the incoming class of 2022 is on the mind of many Mountaineer faithful, West Virginia secured its first commit for the class of 2023 Monday.
Running back Jahiem White, a standout at William Penn High School in York, Pennsylvania, offered his commitment to the Mountaineers.
I’m HOME!! West Virginia was my home the minute I stepped on the field. Yesterday, I made it official! Thank you @CoachChadScott @NealBrown_ @WVUfootball @Gold1Home @WVSportsNow @rivalskeenan @RussellStoner24 @bad2theallibone pic.twitter.com/BnzATT00IQ
— Jahiem White (@JahiemWhite_305) December 13, 2021
The 5-foot-9, 187-pound White impressed at a WVU camp over the summer, before he ran for 2,128 yards and 31 touchdowns as a junior.