WVU lands 2008 prep star

West Virginia raided the Commonwealth for three prospects this weekend. The Mountaineers got a jump on the 2009 recruiting class landing a star quarterback and wide receiver. They also added a talented prep star to the 2008 class.

"He went up there over the weekend on Saturday and his host was Brandon Hogan," Ashland (Va.) Patrick Henry head coach Scott Brown said about former player and Hargrave Military Academy prospect D.J. Thomas. "He had a great time and really was impressed with Brandon. He talked to Noel Devine and met with Coach Beatty. He felt really, really comfortable there.

"They offered him on Sunday morning and that is when he met with Coach Stewart. He said that he sees a lot in D.J. and they are getting a boat load of athletes. He wants to take them as far as they can go on the national level."

Thomas very nearly was set on committing elsewhere according to Brown.

"It was looking like he was headed to South Florida," he said. "He was waiting on an SAT score, busting his butt on that and then West Virginia offered. It all came together for him and he's excited.

"I know he is excited about being a little closer to home. He also likes the atmosphere up there. Coach Stewart goes way back here and it's a great fit for him."

Thomas is a versatile athlete, how do the Mountaineers seem him fitting in?

"Right now I think it would be on offense at the slot position, maybe a little bit in the backfield," he said. "He is open to playing anywhere they need him at this point."

Still at Hargrave Military Academy in Chatham, Va., the 5-foot-9, 175-pounder plans to enroll this summer.

"He's very close to getting his score," he said. "He needs just a few points, but is looking to finish up at Hargrave in May and that get there this summer to workout for the fall. His focus right now is finishing strong at Hargrave. I'm confident he'll do that."

Brown also confirmed that Thomas will have five years to play four once he lands on campus in Morgantown.

The Patrick Henry coach finished by discussing the talent West Virginia is getting.

"I would say they are getting a diverse athlete who can contribute on special teams, defensively as a corner and offensively as a slot receiver or tailback," he said. "I just think he answers a lot of different problems and can contribute is so many ways."