Linebacker Jared Bartlett announces he is a Mountaineer

Jared Bartlett had a goal entering the recruiting process well over a year ago. Of course one was to attain as many offers as possible, but that is a given for any recruit. So the main one he was focused on was being committed to a school before his senior season kicks off.

That goal is now accomplished.

Bartlett, a 6-foot-2, 205 pound linebacker out of Suwanee (Ga.) Collins Hill has committed to the West Virginia Mountaineers.

This decision was made even before he took the trip up to Morgantown almost two weeks ago.

"I have been holding this in for a while, so it is exciting to say I am committed to West Virginia," Bartlett said. "I wanted to announce it right before the season, so I have held this in for almost a month now.

"I did a lot of research on the school before I visited July 28, and I knew before I visited that West Virginia was where I wanted to go. The more I researched the school, the more I fell in love with it. I want to major in aerospace engineering, and they have a great program. The school just seemed to have everything I was looking for, and when I went up there, my love for the school just multiplied.

"Since West Virginia offered me last spring, I have been in contact with coach Doug Belk. We have been talking for over a year, and I like him a lot. He has been in communication with me at least two to three times a week, so he has shown me a lot of interest.

"When I went up there for my first visit, I loved it. The campus was beautiful and it really felt like the place for me. Everything just clicked for me and it was right. That visit just showed me what I had been researching was real.

"I told the coaches about my decision three days after the visit. I told coach Belk and coach Dana Holgerson. I think they had a suspicion that I was going to commit, but they were still excited and they welcomed me to the family.

"It is a great feeling to have my commitment out of the way. I started playing football in ninth grade, I have worked really hard and I am thankful for this chance. I will now be able to focus on my team, my senior season and my grades with recruiting over for me. I wanted to make my decision by the start of my senior year, and I feel good about it."

Bartlett started playing football in ninth grade, so he is still learning the game, and his best football is ahead of him. His older brother is Stephon Tuitt, a Pittsburgh Steelers defensive lineman, so he has some strong bloodlines.

Bartlett was not one who promoted his recruitment, so not many talked much about him. He had over 20 offers, so he quietly has been an active recruit in the Peach State. He is a linebacker with a high motor and natural strength. He has shown the ability to rush off the edge and deliver some pop when he makes a tackle.

His best football is definitely ahead of him.