PA tackle excited to join Mountaineers

West Virginia pulled their first 2007 prospect out of the Keystone State tonight when Harmony (Pa.) Seneca Valley offensive tackle Donny Barclay committed to the Mountaineers. The 6-foot-4, 283-pounder picked West Virginia over offers from North Carolina State, Pittsburgh and Akron.

"I called coach Gibson, Trickett and Rodriguez tonight to tell them I was committing," he said. "They were all very excited by the news particularly since I am the first offensive lineman that has committed to them. After I told him the news, coach Rodriguez said he wants to see me in Morgantown as much as possible so that I can learn the system and get a head start on everything there."

Barclay claims there are a few reasons he chose the Mountaineers.

"Mainly I felt like I have a great relationship with the coaches compared to other schools," he said. "Coach Rick Trickett really stood out to me because on my visits and junior days we had some very good conversations. Everyone tells me he is hard on his players, but I'm used to that and I think I fit in with his style of play.

"I also felt that West Virginia was recruiting me the hardest and then they are just the best fit for me. I think the program is on the right track and they are a proven winning team."

Coach Trickett and the rest of the Mountaineer coaches have recruited Barclay to play offensive tackle in college.

"The coaches have never told me I am going to be able to start for four year," he stated. "They basically said they need linemen that can come in and fill the right and left tackle positions and I can step in if I work hard enough."

The lineman prospect is relieved to have the decision behind him and can't wait to head to Morgantown next year.

"I'm very excited to get down there and learn the system," he said. "I know the fans there are crazy and they've got a winning team and I'm excited to help them get even better."

Barclay plans to spend more time with the coaches learning the system this summer by camping at West Virginia on June 11th.