UCF Linebacker Commit ‘Feeling Very Welcomed’ on West Virginia Visit
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — The first major official visit weekend of the summer at West Virginia University is underway, and the Mountaineers are making an early impression—especially on recruits committed elsewhere. Among the standout visitors is UCF linebacker commit, Jalen Rivers, a 6-foot-2, 215-pound hard-hitting prospect out of Suwanee, Georgia, who arrived on campus Friday afternoon.
Rivers, a three-star recruit according to 247Sports, has been verbally committed to the University of Central Florida since March. But this weekend, clad in a gold and blue hoodie and surrounded by West Virginia coaches and current players, Rivers looked right at home. The hospitality, energy, and transparency from the Mountaineer staff didn’t go unnoticed.
“They made it feel like family from the moment I stepped off the plane,” Rivers said. “Coach Koonz, Coach Neal Brown—everyone really—just kept it real with me. It wasn’t a sales pitch. It felt genuine.”
Sources close to the program said Rivers was a priority target even after his commitment to UCF. West Virginia likes his versatility, his instinctive play in space, and his leadership potential. The staff had stayed in contact, pitching the idea of building something “special” in Morgantown.
This weekend, Rivers is one of a few visiting recruits who are already committed elsewhere. A strategy that reflects West Virginia’s aggressive recruiting philosophy under head coach Neal Brown: stay relentless, stay in contact, and never assume a commitment elsewhere is final until pen hits paper in December.
“He fits what we want in a WILL linebacker,” a source within the WVU staff said. “Fast, physical, smart, and hungry.”
Rivers toured the athletic facilities Friday evening and sat down for one-on-one meetings with position coaches on Saturday morning. But it was Saturday night’s cookout with the team that left the biggest impression.
“Guys weren’t fake with me. They told me the ups and downs,” Rivers said. “There’s a culture here that’s hard to explain unless you see it. It’s tough, blue-collar. That’s how I play.”
While Rivers hasn’t decommitted from UCF, he made it clear that the visit opened his eyes.
“My commitment is still where it is, but I owe it to myself to explore every opportunity. And West Virginia definitely gave me something to think about.”
West Virginia’s 2025 class is steadily taking shape, and the Mountaineers are hoping that their bold, relationship-based approach pays off—particularly with high-character athletes like Rivers who may be reconsidering their early decisions.
The weekend continues through Sunday, with several uncommitted and committed prospects still on campus. Whether Rivers flips in the coming weeks remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: West Virginia has made its presence felt.
“This visit raised the bar,” Rivers said before heading to his car. “No doubt.”
