OFFICIAL: Anthony Lopez Commits to West Virginia
MORGANTOWN, WV — In a decision that sent a jolt through the college football world, four-star cornerback Anthony Lopez made it official: he’s committing to West Virginia University. The announcement came Friday evening, via a sleek, cinematic video posted to his social media accounts. Wearing a midnight blue Mountaineers jersey, the 6-foot-1, 185-pound prospect stood beneath a roaring scoreboard inside Milan Puskar Stadium and simply said, “I’m home.”
Lopez, a Miami native and standout at Booker T. Washington High School, had long been a target for blue-blood programs across the nation. He held offers from Alabama, LSU, Oregon, Florida State, and Michigan. But after his official visit to Morgantown earlier this month, the narrative shifted. Insiders noted how West Virginia’s coaching staff, especially defensive backs coach ShaDon Brown, made Lopez feel like more than just another recruit.
“This decision wasn’t easy,” Lopez told reporters after his announcement. “I prayed on it, I talked with my family, and in the end, I just felt something different at West Virginia. They believe in me—not just as a player, but as a man.”
Lopez is known for his aggressive press coverage, elite closing speed, and a vertical leap that’s been measured at 39 inches. As a junior, he notched six interceptions, returning two for touchdowns, and recorded 48 solo tackles. His game film is a blur of lockdown coverage and instinctual playmaking. But more than his stats, it’s his leadership that sets him apart. He captained his team as a junior, led offseason workouts, and was often seen coaching up younger teammates on the sidelines.
West Virginia head coach Neal Brown, who’s been on the hot seat in recent seasons, called Lopez’s commitment a “program-changing moment.”
“Anthony is the kind of cornerstone you build a defense around,” Brown said in a statement. “He’s got SEC offers, Power Five attention, and he chose to trust our vision. That means something.”
The Mountaineers, who have quietly put together a top-25 recruiting class, now boast one of the deepest defensive backfields in the Big 12. Lopez is expected to compete for playing time as a freshman, with the potential to start in nickel packages or special teams.
Social media buzzed within minutes of the announcement. Teammates, former Mountaineer greats, and even NFL players congratulated Lopez. Fans flooded message boards and X (formerly Twitter), hailing the commitment as a win not just for West Virginia, but for the Big 12 conference.
Whether Lopez lives up to the hype remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: West Virginia just landed a game-changer. In a recruiting landscape shaped by NIL deals and transfer portal chaos, Anthony Lopez chose tradition, grit, and a shot at legacy. For Mountaineer Nation, it’s more than a commitment—it’s a declaration.
