It’s not just recruiting season—it’s flip season in the wild world of Big 12 football. And the West Virginia Mountaineers are once again turning up the heat.
Coming off a headline-stealing move earlier this week—flipping UCF linebacker commit Antoine Sharp right out from under the Knights’ nose—the Mountaineers are back in the national recruiting spotlight, and they’re not pulling any punches. Now, their crosshairs are locked on another Big 12 target: Texas Tech safety commit Aaron Bradshaw, a 6-foot-4, 190-pound ballhawk from Fort Worth, Texas, who just might be reconsidering his future in Lubbock.
A Surprise Visit… and Major Buzz
Bradshaw was spotted in Morgantown this weekend for an unofficial-yet-monumental visit, joining a star-studded group of prospects being wined, dined, and wowed by WVU’s aggressive coaching staff. The move has sent shockwaves through the recruiting world, especially considering Bradshaw remains publicly committed to the Red Raiders.
But let’s not kid ourselves—this visit wasn’t casual. It was calculated.
Insiders say West Virginia has been quietly nurturing a strong bond with Bradshaw since January, largely thanks to the relentless efforts of safeties coach Gabe Franklin, who’s made the North Crowley standout a top priority. That relationship? It’s blossomed—and now, it might be blooming into one of the most stunning flips of the 2026 cycle.
A Battle Brewing: WVU vs. Texas Tech—and the Rest of the Country
Bradshaw’s recent travel log reads like a five-star diary: visits to Houston and TCU, with an official stop at Texas Tech still looming on June 20–22. But West Virginia has thrown a wrench into the script, offering Bradshaw a vision—and a defensive blueprint—built around his elite skill set.
Let’s not forget: this kid is a monster between the hash marks. Last fall, as a junior, Bradshaw posted a stat line straight out of a video game:
- 36 total tackles
- 4 interceptions
- 3 pass breakups
- 2 forced fumbles
He’s a long, rangy enforcer in the secondary who plays like a hybrid linebacker—physical enough to rock a ball carrier, instinctual enough to bait quarterbacks into bad throws, and athletic enough to be a nightmare in coverage. Add to that a 6’4″ frame, and you’re talking about a potential future NFL draft riser.
And Bradshaw isn’t short on suitors. His offer list reads like a who’s who of college football powerhouses:
LSU, Texas, Texas A&M, Michigan State, Missouri, Arizona State, Colorado, Pitt, SMU, Memphis, UTEP—you name it, they’re in the mix.
Yet despite all that noise, West Virginia is quietly creeping into the pole position. Why? Because they’re offering more than just playing time. They’re offering a platform. A scheme built for his versatility. A brotherhood that’s growing with every flip.
Building a Defensive Fortress in 2026
Bradshaw wouldn’t be alone in Morgantown, either. West Virginia’s 2026 recruiting class is already starting to resemble a future Big 12 powerhouse, particularly on defense. Just look at the names:
- LB Antoine Sharp (UCF flip, enforcer in the middle)
- LB Miles Khatri
- LB Cameron Dwyer
- DB Simaj Hill
- DB Jaylon Jones (JUCO stud)
- S Taj Powell
- S Emory Snyder
- DL Cam Mallory
- EDGE Noah Tishendorf
If Bradshaw joins this rising class, WVU could be assembling one of the most dangerous young secondaries in the Big 12. A group defined by size, swagger, and sideline-to-sideline speed.
And let’s not forget the offensive weapons already locked in:
- QB Jyron Hughley
- RB Jett Walker
- TE Sam Hamilton
- OL Rhett Morris
This is a well-balanced, high-ceiling class—and if Bradshaw flips, it becomes a statement class.
Final Thought: Smoke, Fire… and a Mountaineer Surge?
The moment a committed recruit starts taking visits, the door is open—and right now, Aaron Bradshaw is standing in that doorway with a WVU jersey in his hands and the country watching.
Is this just a flirtation with West Virginia, or is a full-blown defection from Texas Tech about to erupt?
One thing is certain: the Mountaineers are no longer playing defense in the recruiting world—they’re calling audibles, blitzing rivals, and flipping prospects like pancakes.
And Bradshaw? He might just be the next domino to fall.
