By Bob Hertzel
MORGANTOWN — One of West Virginia University’s most highly anticipated recruiting classes reported to school this week as the second semester of summer school started with only three absentees.
Among those not yet on hand, but expected soon, were two highly touted prospects — defensive lineman Tevita Finau and wide receiver Deon Long.
Finau’s journey to WVU has been a long one, having signed three letters of intent only to have problems getting through junior college requirements. According to a release put out by coach Bill Stewart, Finau has completed his class work and is waiting for his grades to be posted and to be accepted into WVU.
Finau’s talent is such that even though he has yet to even qualify to play at WVU, he has already been picked as a second-team All-Big East defensive lineman. The native Hawaiian was coached by former Mountaineer Dale Wolfley as a freshman at Phoenix College and was considered one of the top junior college players in the country.
He selected West Virginia over an impressive list of suitors that included Auburn, California, Colorado, Florida, Louisville, Oklahoma, USC, Tennessee and Oregon.
Long played at Dunbar High in Washington, D.C., where he caught 35 passes for 840 yards and nine touchdowns as a senior. He is still awaiting his test scores.
The other recruit who has yet to be cleared is a raw, talented 6-foot, 6-inch, 270-pound defensive end from Mercersburg (Pa.) Academy, Curtis Feigt. A native of Germany, he is awaiting his student visa.
In all, 14 recruits did report, including invited walk-on Tyler Anderson from Morgantown High.
They will join a group of eight recruits who reported with the first summer session.
In that group, getting an early start, are the two most highly touted freshmen, quarterback Eugene Smith from Miramar, Fla., who is expected to redshirt in preparation for replacing Jarrett Brown after he plays his senior season; and running back Tavon Austin, who is expected to compete for playing time this year and challenge to return punts and kickoffs.
The players will begin attending classes and going through summer voluntary workouts.
The recruit who did not make it was wide receiver Terrance Moore, a junior college player who did not qualify academically.
Camp opens on Aug. 7 and the season begins on Sept. 5 with a home game against Liberty.
E-mail Bob Hertzel at bhertzel@hotmail.com.
QB Smith breaks bone in foot
MORGANTOWN (AP) — A West Virginia football spokesman says incoming freshman quarterback Eugene Smith has a broken bone in his left foot that will require up to eight weeks to heal.
Mike Montoro said Tuesday that Smith injured his foot late last week in an unspecified, off-the-field incident in Morgantown.
Montoro says Smith must keep weight off his foot for four weeks, when it will be re-evaluated.
The 6-foot-3 Smith reported to school for summer workouts and is expected to compete for a backup role behind starter Jarrett Brown this season. Smith threw for 3,089 yards and 32 touchdowns last year at Miramar (Fla.) High School.
West Virginia players report for preseason camp on Aug. 7.
