Morgantown, WV – West Virginia University (WVU) experienced a significant setback in its recruiting efforts this week, following the confirmed decision of California Golden Bears quarterback Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele to remain at Cal and the loss of running back prospect Chris Henry Jr. to Ohio State. The disappointment, particularly for booster and former NFL punter Pat McAfee, highlights the challenges facing the Mountaineers as they navigate the early stages of the 2026 recruiting cycle.
Sagapolutele, a standout freshman for the Golden Bears, had become a focal point of WVU’s ambitions. The quarterback’s impressive statistics – 288 completions out of 453 attempts for 3,117 yards with a 63.6 percent completion rate and 17 touchdowns – combined with his physical attributes (6’3” and a 3.75 GPA, according to McAfee), fueled considerable optimism within the WVU fanbase. McAfee had been particularly vocal, describing Sagapolutele as “the one next offseason.” However, Sagapolutele’s announcement, following a visit from Cal head coach Tosh Lupoi, effectively ended those hopes. Lupoi, previously Oregon’s defensive coordinator, is a familiar face within the program, having played for Cal from 2000 to 2005.
The loss of Henry Jr. further compounded WVU’s woes. Initially, there was a brief surge of optimism when Ohio State wide receivers coach Brian Hartline accepted the head coaching job at South Florida, delaying Henry Jr.’s paperwork submission. However, the 2026 Mater Dei prospect ultimately committed to the Buckeyes, citing “the right fit.” Henry Jr.’s family connections to Morgantown, with his father, Chris Henry, a former WVU wide receiver, further amplified the disappointment for the Mountaineers.
Despite securing strong commitments from four-star offensive tackle Kevin Brown and safety Matt Sieg, WVU has missed out on two high-profile targets. The consecutive recruitment failures are a notable setback for the program as it seeks to bolster its roster for the 2026 season. The situation underscores the competitive landscape of college football recruiting and the challenges WVU faces in securing top talent.