West Virginia Has a Legit Shot to Snag the Nation’s Top Punter in 2026 Class
You may not realize it, but West Virginia has had a pretty strong history of specialists.
By: Mountaineer Sports Insider Staff
In the rugged hills of Morgantown, where game days shake the mountains and blue-and-gold runs in the blood, something quietly powerful has been brewing—West Virginia University’s reputation as a cradle for elite special teams talent. And now, with the 2026 recruiting cycle heating up, the Mountaineers are zeroing in on a game-changer: Landon “The Cannon” Reese, the top-ranked punter in the nation.
Hailing from Alpharetta, Georgia, Reese has a booming leg, a 4.0 GPA, and a highlight reel that includes a 78-yard spiral punt that went viral last fall. A former soccer standout turned football prodigy, Reese has drawn interest from SEC giants, Big Ten powerhouses, and even the academies. But sources close to his recruitment suggest that West Virginia has emerged as a serious contender—and it’s not just about playing time or NIL offers. It’s about legacy.
A Hidden Gem in the Specialist World
The casual college football fan might associate WVU with high-flying offenses, roughneck defenses, and legendary names like Major Harris or Pat White. But to those who study the third phase of the game—special teams—West Virginia has become something of a secret powerhouse.
Pat McAfee, perhaps the most recognizable name in specialist lore, booted and boomed his way through Morgantown from 2005–2008 before launching into NFL stardom and later, media superstardom. But McAfee wasn’t a fluke. He was just the start.
Tyler Bitancurt delivered clutch kicks in WVU’s Big East and early Big 12 days. Josh Lambert, a Lou Groza Award finalist, became one of the most dependable kickers in the country. More recently, punter Billy Taylor and kicker Casey Legg continued the tradition of smart, consistent, and often underrated special teams play that quietly kept WVU in tight games.
The data backs it up: Over the last 15 years, West Virginia ranks among the top 20 FBS programs in net punting average, and top 10 in percentage of punts downed inside the 20.
Why Reese is Listening
According to recruiting insiders, Landon Reese and his family were “blown away” during their unofficial visit in late May. The Mountaineers’ coaching staff rolled out the red carpet—including a sit-down with WVU special teams coordinator Mark Tomlinson, who reportedly broke down hours of film with Reese and compared his style to McAfee’s early years.
“He said Morgantown just felt right,” said a source close to the Reese family. “He respects the legacy and sees himself being the next great Mountaineer specialist.”
Reese has two official visits scheduled this summer—one to Georgia and one to Ohio State—but many believe WVU has positioned itself as a real threat to land his commitment.
What It Would Mean
In today’s era of analytics-driven football, flipping field position is more critical than ever. For a program like West Virginia, which often plays close games against top-tier competition, a weapon like Reese could be the X-factor.
If Reese signs, it wouldn’t just be a win in the recruiting rankings—it would be a reminder that in the mountains of West Virginia, special teams are more than just a phase. They’re a legacy.
