Noah Tishendorf stands on the precipice of a new era, ten feet from the edge of Mountaineer Field at Milan Puskar Stadium. The roar of 60,000 Mountaineers fans echoes off the stone and steel, a tide of white and blue rising to greet him. Mere hours ago, this high‑octane 6’3”, 255‑pound defensive phenom was a Beaver—an Oregon State commit. Now, he has just flipped to West Virginia: the second major recruiting coup of the day.
Earlier that morning, the staff’s phones buzzed with confirmation that Simaj Hill, a three‑star defensive back from Philadelphia, had chosen WVU over James Madison and others. But as the sun set on the June sky, the attention shifted westward. Tishendorf’s flip carried heavier gravity—this was a top‑end edge rusher from Lake Oswego, OR, flipping from a PAC‑12 fixture to the Big 12.
The narrative reads like a thriller. Tishendorf committed to Oregon State back in mid‑March—but the Mountaineers struck with calculated precision. Defensive coordinator Zac Alley and bandit coach Jeff Casteel reached out within 24 hours—Alley even flew himself to Oregon to evaluate Noah in person . That gesture planted a seed. A few weeks later, in early June, Tishendorf visited Morgantown from June 6–8, touring the facilities, meeting the team, soaking in the altitude and the school spirit .
On the field, Tishendorf’s tape reads like a dossier on destruction: over the past two seasons, 102 tackles, 38 tackles for loss, 16 sacks, nine QB hurries. Last season alone: 20 tackles for loss and 11 sacks . At 6’3” and 255 pounds, he has the speed of a linebacker and the power of a defensive lineman—ideal for WVU’s “bandit” position.
As he stands under the cavernous stadium lights tonight, he wears Mountaineer green for the first time—his new nameplate freshly sewn. The crowd hushes as he steps forward to address the sea of fans. He takes a beat, letting the gravity of the moment settle before speaking.
“They made me feel like a priority—like they truly believed in me,” he tells them. “They didn’t just get me to the visit—they got my family, my community. They told us, ‘This is a home.’” His words ricochet through the stands, met with thunder.
Behind him, the coaching staff watches: Zac Alley with the pride of a general whose gambit paid off, Jake and Jeff Casteel sharing a triumphant grin. Today’s double flips—Simaj Hill and now Noah T.—send a message: West Virginia is asserting itself on the national stage, poaching talent across regions and conferences .
On the grass below, future teammates pat him on the helmet. Reporters scramble to capture quotes. On the scoreboard, the words flash: NOAH TISHENDORF JOINS THE BANDITS.
But beyond the flash, there’s strategy. WVU is losing edge talent to graduation, and next year’s schedule demands pressure and force on the front. They needed someone with Tishendorf’s skill set: first‑step explosion, lateral agility, pass‑rush techniques honed in high‑school trenches . Noah’s decision signals both immediate impact and a longer term recruiting ripple: if WVU can flip a Pacific Northwest standout, what’s next?
The press conference lasts thirty minutes: Q&As, film breakdowns, the promise of summer workouts and freshman camp. Then, the stadium clears. But in the crisp June night, one thing remains: WVU has struck twice in one day. And with eyes now on the horizon, the Mountaineers’ bucket list is expanding—not just for this season, but for the seasons to come.
