SHOCKWAVE OUT OF NEW ENGLAND: Class of 2026 Massachusetts WR Picks West Virginia Over In-State Powerhouse
MORGANTOWN, W.V. — In a recruiting decision that’s sending tremors through the Northeast and energizing the Appalachian faithful, four-star wide receiver Jalen “Jet” McKnight out of Worcester, Massachusetts, has officially committed to play for West Virginia University, bypassing massive pressure to stay in-state and suit up for Boston College or UMass. The 6-foot-2, 185-pound playmaker announced his decision in front of a packed gymnasium at Burncoat High School, wearing a crisp gold-and-blue Mountaineers cap as fans erupted in cheers.
“I just felt something different when I stepped on that campus,” McKnight said, reflecting on his official visit to Morgantown. “It was electric. The people, the coaching staff, the energy in that stadium—it felt like family. And that’s what I’m betting on.”
Ranked the No. 1 receiver in Massachusetts and a top-30 wideout nationally in the Class of 2026, McKnight has been a regional sensation since his sophomore year. With a 4.39 forty-yard dash and an unmatched leaping ability that makes him a red zone nightmare, McKnight racked up 1,412 receiving yards and 17 touchdowns in his junior season alone. His highlight reel—which includes mossing triple coverage and turning five-yard slants into 80-yard sprints—has made the rounds on national recruiting boards and earned comparisons to DeVonta Smith and Garrett Wilson.
What makes McKnight’s commitment even more significant is the symbolic win it represents for WVU Head Coach Raul Rodriguez, who continues to build a national recruiting brand for the Mountaineers. This marks the fourth blue-chip prospect WVU has landed from the Northeast in just two recruiting cycles, reinforcing that the school’s reach now extends far beyond coal country.
“He’s the kind of kid who can change the game from the moment he steps on the field,” said WVU offensive coordinator Quincy Fields. “We see him being a cornerstone of what we’re building—someone who can line up anywhere, stretch the field, and become a matchup nightmare in the Big 12.”
WVU beat out Boston College, Syracuse, Penn State, and even a late push from Michigan for McKnight’s signature. According to insiders, a powerful NIL package and a strong mentorship pitch from WVU’s current receiver room—led by standout freshman phenom Darnell Pearson—helped close the deal.
Meanwhile, the decision has left fans in Massachusetts stunned. Boston College, who made McKnight a top priority for over a year, now finds itself scrambling to replace what many believed to be a foundational piece of their 2026 class.
McKnight will enroll early in January 2026, joining an already electric WVU offense that’s poised to explode under Rodriguez’s evolving Air Mountaineer attack. With McKnight’s commitment, West Virginia’s 2026 class vaults into the national Top 10, and the buzz around the program’s trajectory continues to skyrocket.
“People better get ready,” McKnight said, flashing a grin. “Because the Mountaineers are coming—and I’m bringing the heat.”
