West Virginia Looking to Steal Star Linebacker Out of Pitt’s Backyard
Western Pennsylvania has long been fertile recruiting ground for college football programs, but none have capitalized on the region’s talent quite like West Virginia University. Over the years, Mountaineers’ rosters have featured some of the best athletes from this storied football hotbed, including star quarterbacks and dynamic playmakers who’ve thrived in Morgantown’s high-octane system. Now, West Virginia is setting its sights on a major prize right in Pittsburgh’s backyard: a star linebacker widely regarded as one of the most promising defensive prospects in the region.
The linebacker in question, Marcus “M.J.” Johnson, is a name that has been buzzing around Western PA’s high school football circles for the past two seasons. Standing 6-foot-3 and weighing a solid 235 pounds, Johnson combines rare physicality with a cerebral approach to the game. His ability to diagnose plays before they unfold, combined with sideline-to-sideline speed, has made him a nightmare for opposing offenses. Defensive coordinators struggle to scheme against his versatility — whether he’s blitzing the quarterback, dropping into coverage, or stuffing the run.
Johnson hails from a Pittsburgh neighborhood just a stone’s throw from the University of Pittsburgh’s campus, making him a natural target for the Panthers’ coaching staff. Pittsburgh has long dominated local recruiting, with many Western PA standouts choosing to stay home and play for the hometown team. However, West Virginia has quietly made inroads in the region over the last decade, consistently flipping talent from the Panthers and establishing a foothold in the competitive recruiting landscape.
This year, West Virginia’s coaching staff has pulled out all the stops to court Johnson. Their pitch is both strategic and heartfelt: emphasizing the Mountaineers’ proven track record of developing linebackers into NFL-ready stars, the opportunity for early playing time in a defense hungry for leadership, and the chance to be part of a rising program with passionate fan support. Furthermore, the Mountaineers have promised Johnson a prominent role in their defense scheme, highlighting their aggressive, fast-paced style that perfectly suits his skill set.
Sources close to Johnson’s recruitment reveal that West Virginia’s interest is more than just lip service — the program has sent position coaches to multiple home games, arranged private campus visits, and facilitated meetings with former Mountaineer linebackers who have transitioned to the NFL. Johnson’s family, impressed by West Virginia’s commitment and personalized attention, has been weighing the Mountaineers heavily alongside Pitt and other regional powers.
Western Pennsylvania’s football lineage is rich, producing NFL legends and college stars who have gone on to define the sport. That history makes the battle for M.J. Johnson all the more significant — securing this recruit would not only bolster West Virginia’s defense but also send a message that the Mountaineers are serious contenders in the recruiting wars within the Steel City’s backyard.
As the spring evaluation period approaches, West Virginia remains confident. They believe that their combination of coaching, opportunity, and program vision can tip the scales in their favor. If they succeed in landing Johnson, it will be a signature win that reinforces the Mountaineers’ growing dominance in Western Pennsylvania recruiting and sets the tone for future battles over the region’s elite prospects.
In a region steeped in football tradition and fierce rivalries, the recruitment of Marcus Johnson is more than just a player decision — it’s a pivotal moment that could reshape the balance of power in Western PA for years to come. The Mountaineers, hungry for that breakthrough, are ready to stake their claim and steal a star right out of Pitt’s backyard.
