WVSports.com looks back on the quarterback’s four-star commitments to Rivals.com since 2002. How did they fare in Morgantown and how did the Mountaineers rise to the top-rated position?
We take a look at how it happened and how the climbers did under the center.
West Virginia Success Statistics: 1-2 for 31 yards.
Starks was listed as a four-star quarterback out of high school and earned all-state honors in Virginia. But after a redshirt season, lined up at wide receiver for the Mountaineers. Served as a stretch role player in the field for West Virginia in his four seasons, accounting for 79 catches for 1,064 yards and 11 touchdowns. Despite the change in position, he was able to show his arm completing a 31-yard pass during his career, but he made his mark with the Mountaineers as a wide receiver.
West Virginia Success Statistics: 988-1,465 for 11,662 yards and 98 touchdowns with 21 interceptions
Smith wasn’t even originally the class of 2009 quarterback for West Virginia, no, he was Virginia flagman Tajh Boyd. But after the latter opted out of the program, it was Smith who moved to the front and he ultimately chose the Mountaineers after a visit to campus for the Cincinnati game in the fall of 2008. proved to work very well for both sides, as Smith would play some in his freshman season, but become a full-time starter over three years and end up statistically as one of the best modern quarterbacks in program history. Smith ranks first in passing yards and touchdowns in his career and was selected in the NFL Draft. By far the biggest hit on this list for mountain climbers.
West Virginia Success Statistics: 4-9 for 4 yards
Brunetti was expected to be a big contributor in West Virginia, but he was limited to just four games in his only season in Morgantown. He only attempted nine passes before opting to pack things up and head to Mississippi. In his three years at Oxford, he threw for just 634 yards and 7 touchdowns as a mostly squad option. He was effective as a rusher but never quite lived up to his billing entering college.
West Virginia Success Statistics: 14-29 for 131 yards with an interception
Crest was a target for West Virginia coaches from when he was a high school freshman and was a priority for them on the recruiting track until he signed up in the spring of 2013. But Crest would never have the impact many had hoped for when he signed on to the program as he was limited to just 29 career assists at quarterback before moving on to several different positions. Finished his career with the Mountaineers, but was more of a jack-of-all-trades than ever a master quarterback. Crest had a pair of touchdowns.
West Virginia Success Statistics: nothing
Sills came to West Virginia as a quarterback who signed on to play for USC when he was just 13 years old. He was expected to be the next big thing in this position, but he never quite developed the way many expected and ended up in Morgantown after the Trojans and Sills decided to separate. Played like a proper freshman, but not as a quarterback instead as a wide receiver where he was productive. Caught the game-winning pass in the bowl game, but elected to leave at the end of the year to try his hand one last time as a junior college quarterback. When that didn’t work out, Sills returned to West Virginia where he put on an incredible two-year run catching passes from trade quarterback Will Grier. During those two seasons, Sills had 125 passes for 1,966 yards and 33 touchdowns. Was a major impact player, but not in the position that many had given him at such a young age.
West Virginia Success Statistics: 4-13 for 61 yards and a touchdown.
Marchiol is the first four-star commitment for West Virginia at quarterback since the Class of 2015 and has been a major part of the 2022 efforts on the recruiting trail. The talented signalman signed up for West Virginia in January and played two games for West Virginia as a rookie. He led the Mountaineers to a win over Oklahoma State in the season finale and will have another four years of eligibility.
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