West Virginia bolstered its defensive line ranks, which were hurt by outgoing portal exits and the departure of Dante Stills, with the addition of transfer Fatorma Mulbah. He committed to the Mountaineer program on Jan 12.

A graduate of Penn State, Mulbah (6-3, 296 lbs.) is hoped to help the Mountaineers in the interior of the defensive line. He has signed a grant-in-aid, and will have two years of eligibility remaining.

Mulbah joins Devin Carter, Davoan Hawkins, Ja'Shaun Poke, Montre Miller, Michael Hayes and Kole Taylor as the official signees who are now enrolled at WVU for the spring 2023 semester, and eligible to participate in spring practice.

WVU has one more known transfer, safety Keyshawn Cobb, who has verbally committed and is expected to sign a grant-in-aid with West Virginia.

Fatorma Mulbah, Jr., DL, 6-3, 296, Harrisburg, Pa./Susquehanna Township/Penn State

2022 – Penn State

Played in 13 games, primarily on special teams ... Member of Penn State’s Rose Bowl team that finished 11-2 overall and 7-2 in the Big Ten ... Earned Academic All-Big Ten honors ... Career statistics show 19 games played and four tackles

2021 – Penn State

Played in six games ... Recorded four tackles ... Two tackles vs. Rutgers and one each vs. Ball State and Villanova ... Earned Academic All-Big Ten honors

2020 – Penn State

Did not see game action

High School

Three-year lettermen for coach Joe Headen at Susquehanna Township High School ... Two-time team captain ...

Two-time all-conference selection as a junior and senior ... Team MVP as a senior ... Registered 51 tackles, 12 sacks , nine tackles for loss and four forced fumbles as a senior ... Three-star prospect by ESPN ... Ranked as the No. 49 defensive tackle and No. 3 prospect in the state by ESPN ... Also lettered in basketball and wrestling ... Captained the Susquehanna wrestling team

Devin Carter, Sr., WR, 6-3, 215, Clayton, NC/Clayton High School/NC State

Carter will have one year of eligibility remaining. Previously:

2022 - NC State

Played in nine games and finished with 25 catches for 406 yards and two touchdowns ... Averaged 16.2 yards per catch ... Long catch went for 52 yards ... Averaged 45.1 yards receiving per game ... Fourth on the team in receptions despite missing four games ... Fifth on the team in all-purpose yards ... Season high six catches vs. North Carolina and five vs. Virginia Tech ... Top performance was 130 yards receiving vs. North Carolina with one score ... Finished his time at NC State with 118 catches for 1906 yards and 10 touchdowns ... For his career, averaged 16.2 yards per catch

2021 – NC State

Averaged a team best 17.9 yards per reception ... Long reception went for 58 yards ... Third on the team in receiving yards and receptions ... Started 12 games and totaled 31 catches for 556 yards ... Finished with six touchdowns ... Two touchdowns vs. Wake Forest ... Participated on 620 offensive plays during the season, including 90 snaps vs. Clemson

2020 - NC State

NC State’s third leading receiver with 29 catches for 477 yards and two touchdowns ... Played in 12 games with 10 starts ... Averaged a team best 16.4 yards per catch ... Participated in 589 offensive plays ... First career touchdown came against Wake Forest ... Long catch went for 39 yards

2019 - NC State

32 receptions for 456 yards ... Averaged 14.3 yards per catch with a long of 55 ... Played in 12 games with 11 starts ... Participated on 708 offensive plays ... First 100-yard receiving effort came against Boston College with 140 yards, which was tops on the team in 2019 ... A season best six catches vs. Boston College ... Led team in receiving vs. Florida State and Boston College ... Co-recipient of the team’s Alpha Rising Award given to the player who shows exceptional improvement

2018 - NC State

Played in four games and had one catch for 11 yards ... Participated on 19 offensive plays

High School – Clayton High School

Career numbers included 160 receptions for 2,700 yards and 39 touchdowns ... 55 catches as a senior for 1,073 yards and 17 touchdowns ... Also rushed for two scores ... 78 catches as a junior for 1,167 yards and 15 scores ... Named Greater Neuse Offensive Player of the Year by the Raleigh News & Observer ... Played in the Blue-Grey All-American Bowl and Shrine Bowl ... Ranked as a Top 33 prospect in the state of North Carolina

Davoan Hawkins, Sr., DL, 6-2, 286, Lauderdale Hill, Fla./Chaminade-Madonna High School/Tennessee State

Hawkins has one year of eligibility remaining. Previously:

2022 – Tennessee State

Finished career at Tennessee Tech with 92 career tackles (51 solo/41 assisted) ... Career numbers also include 18 tackles for a loss of 89 yards, eight sacks for a loss of 54 yards, five forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries and two block kicks ... For the season, he recorded 31 total tackles (16 solo/15 assisted), five tackles for loss, one sack, one forced fumble and two fumble recoveries ... Recorded six tackles vs. Tennessee Tech, five tackles vs. Middle Tennessee and four vs. Jackson State

Fall - 2021 - Tennessee State

Played in 11 games ... Collected 29 tackles – 16 solo/13 assisted ... Tallied 4.5 tackles for loss and two sacks ... Forced two fumbles and blocked two kicks ... Registered five quarterback hurries

Spring – 2021-COVID Season – Tennessee State

Played in all seven games ... Recorded 19 solo tackles and 12 assisted for a total of 32 ... Nine tackles for a loss of 39 yards and five sacks for a loss of 28 yards ... Registered two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery ... Recorded seven tackles in three different games during the season ... Top performance came against Eastern Illinois with seven tackles, four tackles for loss and two sacks ... Earned Hero Sports All-American honors

2020 – Kentucky

Saw action in nine games ... Finished the season with three solo tackles, two tackles for loss, one sack and one forced fumble

2019 – Kentucky

Played in one game as a redshirt freshman - did not record any statistics

2018 – Kentucky

Redshirted

High School

Rated a three-star prospect by ESPN ... Played on the offensive and defensive line ... Chaminade-Madonna won the 3A state championship in 2017 ... Registered 65 total tackles, 21 tackles for loss and 12 sacks as a senior ... Three-time first-team all-county selection

Ja’Shaun Poke, Sr., WR, 5-10, 173, Hampton, Ga./Dutchtown/Kent State

Poke has one year of playing eligibility remaining, but has a two-year window in which to complete it. Previously:

2022 – Kent State

Played wide receiver and returned kickoffs for coach Sean Lewis at Kent State

Saw action in eight games, starting the final five ... Finished the season with 31 catches for 362 yards and a touchdown ... Had 15 kickoff returns for 411 yards, averaging 27.4 yards per return, with a long of 46 yards ... Registered six catches for 105 yards, a touchdown and a long of 39 yards against Eastern Michigan ... Had five catches for 54 yards against Bowling Green ... Career-high 13 catches for 87 yards against Ball State ... Registered two receptions for 51 yards with a long of 46 yards against Akron ... Collected three catches for 57 yards with a long of 38 yards against Toledo ... Three kickoff returns for 97 yards with a long of 34 yards against Miami, Ohio

2021 – Kent State

Played in nine games and started seven, helping lead the Golden Flashes to the MAC championship game and an appearance in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl ... Finished with 26 catches for 315 yards, a touchdown and a long of 42 yards ... Accumulated 24 kick returns for 565 yards, an average of 23.54 yards per return, with a long of 50 yards ... Had a touchdown reception against Wyoming in the bowl game; also had four kickoff returns for 84 yards with a long of 27 yards ... Registered three catches for 57 yards with a long of 41 yards and three kickoff returns for 72 yards with a long of 26 yards against Miami, Ohio ... Collected five catches for 33 yards with a long of 18 yards against Central Michigan ... Recorded four catches for 84 yards with a long of 42 yards vs. Northern Illinois ... Registered three catches for 54 yards with a long of 41 yards against Buffalo

2020 – Kent State

Played in all four games ... Finished second on the team in catches (21) and yards (326) ... Second on the team with three touchdown receptions ... Had career best seven catches for 124 yards against Buffalo

2019 - Kent State

Played in 11 games at wide receiver and on special teams ... Caught three passes for 30 yards and a long of 12 yards ... Had an 18-yard rush in win over Bowling Green ... Returned a kick in the bowl game win over Utah State for 33 yards

High School

Played defensive back for coach Niketa Battle at Dutchtown High ... During his junior and senior seasons, posted a combined 42 tackles with five interceptions ... Part of a 12-1 team his senior year that reached the Georgia “Elite 8� ... Named to the all-region 4-A first-team defense squad as a defensive back ... Also ran track and won the Georgia 5A State Championship in the 400m as a senior

Michael Hayes, r-Jr., K/P, 5-9, 189, Florence, S.C./West Florence/Georgia State

Hayes will have two years of eligibility remaining. Previously:

2022 - Georgia State

Played for coach Shawn Elliott at Georgia State ... Used as a kicker and punter who also handled the team’s kickoffs ... Played in 12 games and made 11-of-14 field goal attempts, hit 41-of-42 extra point attempts and averaged 42.0 yards on 56 punts with a long punt of 57 yards ... Also had 69 kickoffs for 4,433 yards with 47 touchbacks ... Had three or more touchbacks in 11 of the 12 games, including six against Southern Miss and five in three games ... Eight of his punts went for 50 yards or more, 18 resulted in a fair catch and he placed 17 inside the opponents’ 20-yard line ... Hit two field goals in three games and at least one in eight games ... Finished as the team’s leading scorer with 74 points, including 11 against Georgia Southern and 10 at James Madison

2021 – Georgia State

Named to the Pro Football Focus All-Sun Belt team ... Averaged 41.2 yards per kick on 59 punts ... Had a career long 66-yard punt vs. UL-Monroe ... Top games included 46.0-yard average on four punts vs. Army, 45.5 average on six punts vs. North Carolina and 45.2 average on six punts vs. Arkansas State ... Outstanding on kickoffs after taking over midway through the season

2020 – Georgia State

Averaged 40.4 yards on 50 punts in his first season, net of 39.6 ... Had eight kicks of 50 yards or more and nine punts downed inside the 20-yard line ... Top game was against Appalachian Sate, when he averaged 45.5 yards on six punts ... Season long of 58 yards vs. East Carolina and South Alabama ... With starting kicker Noel Ruiz unavailable against South Alabama, he handled punting, placekicking and kickoffs ... Averaged and netted 44.2 yards on four punts with two punts inside the 20-yard line, including a season-long 58-yard kick that was downed at the three-yard line ... Perfect on five placements, nailing four extra points and a 23-yard field goal, that gave GSU a 24-14 lead in the fourth quarter.

2019 – Georgia State

Redshirted

High School

Helped West Florence High School to an 11-2 record and the third round of the state playoffs ... Chosen for the North Carolina-South Carolina Shrine Bowl All-Star game ... Two-time All-Pee Dee selection by the Florence Morning News ... Palmetto Champions Specialist of the Year ... Made 64-of-65 extra point kicks and 6-of-8 field-goal attempts with long of 42 yards ... Recorded 72 touchbacks on kickoffs and averaged 40 yards per punt with a long of 50 ... Scored 170 points in his career, including 82 as a senior ... Also lettered two years in soccer

Montre Miller, r-Sr., CB, 5-10, 183, Blythewood, S.C./Westwood/Kent State

Miller will have one year of eligibility remaining. Previously:

2022 - Kent State

Started all 12 games at cornerback for coach Sean Lewis at Kent State ... Finished with 52 tackles, including 40 solo stops, two interceptions, eight pass breakups, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery ... Had two assisted tackles and two pass breakups against Buffalo ... Finished with six solo tackles against Eastern Michigan ... Registered eight tackles, including five solo tackles, and two pass breakups against Bowling Green ... Accumulated eight solo tackles and had an interception against Akron ... Finished with five tackles, including four unassisted, forced and recovered a fumble against Toledo ... Had seven tackles, including five solo stops and assisted on a tackle for loss against Miami, Ohio ... Recorded four solo tackles and a pass breakup against Ohio ... Registered three solo stops, had an interception and a pass breakup against No. 1 Georgia ... Had three assisted tackles and a pass breakup against No. 7 Oklahoma ... Accumulated three tackles against Washington ...

2021 – Kent State

Started 13 games and helped lead the Golden Flashes to the MAC championship game and an appearance in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl ... Finished with 47 tackles, including 39 unassisted, 2.5 tackles for loss, a team-leading four interceptions, nine pass breakups, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery ... Posted three tackles against Wyoming in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl ... Had five tackles against Northern Illinois in the MAC championship game ... Registered four solo stops, an interception and three pass breakups against Miami, OhioHad three tackles, including two solo stops, assisted on a tackle for loss, broke up a pass against Northern Illinois ... Collected five solo tackles against Ohio ... Season-high seven unassisted tackles and a pass breakup against Western Michigan ... Finished with four solo stops and a pass breakup against Buffalo ... Registered three tackles against Bowling Green ... Had two solo stops and a pass breakup against Maryland ... Posted five tackles, including four solo tackles and two tackles for loss and a forced fumble at Iowa ... Recorded three solo tackles and three interceptions against VMI ... Finished with three tackles and a pass breakup against Texas A&M

2020 – Kent State

Played in all four games ... Registered two solo tackles

2019 - Kent State

Played in eight games and helped Kent State to a 7-6 record and a win in the Tropical Smoothie Café Frisco Bowl ... Registered nine tackles including six solo stops ... Season best three stops in bowl game win against Utah State

2018 - Kent State

Played in four games and made one start while taking a redshirt ... Registered five tackles and two passes broken up ... Made collegiate debut at Bowling Green (10/30) ... Recorded first career start against Eastern Michigan (11/23) ... Set career-highs with five tackles and two passes broken up against Eastern Michigan (11/23)

High School

Played for coach Robert O’Connell at Westwood High ... Made 51 receptions for 606 yards and scored seven touchdowns as a senior ... During high school career made 125 catches for 1,652 yards and 18 touchdowns ... Team reached the second round of the state playoffs his senior year

Kole Taylor, Jr., TE, 6-7, 250, Grand Junction, Colo./Central/LSU

Will have two years of eligibility remaining. Previously:

2022 - LSU

Played tight end for coach Brian Kelly at LSU ... Had 32 career appearances with seven starts ... Saw action in 13 games, starting two, helping lead the Tigers to a 10-4 record, an appearance in the SEC Championship Game and a win over Purdue in the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl ... Finished with five catches for 55 yards with a long catch of 26 yards ... Had two catches for 33 yards with a long of 26 yards against Florida ... Registered an 11-yard reception against New Mexico ... Had an eight-yard catch against Florida State

2021 - LSU

Played in 12 games, starting three times ... Starts came against McNeese, at Kentucky and Louisiana-Monroe ... Scored first collegiate touchdown on a 41-yard reception in win over Mississippi State ... The 41-yard catch was longest of his career ... Had career-best four receptions for 22 yards in win over McNeese ... Added a 5-yard catch against Arkansas ... Member of the 2021 SEC Academic Honor Roll

2020 - LSU

Played in seven games, starting two ... Caught six passes for 36 yards ... The result was a first down, which extended LSU’s game-winning drive ... Had three receptions for 11 yards vs. Florida and followed that with two catches, including a 20-yarder, the following week in win over Ole Miss ... First career catch came against Texas A&M

High School

One of the nation’s top tight end prospects in the Class of 2020 ... Outstanding all-around player from Grand Junction, Colorado ... Totaled 1,084 yards receiving and 18 touchdowns during his high school career ... Hauled in 25 catches for 331 yards and five touchdowns as a senior in 2019 ... As a junior, caught 29 passes for 510 yards and eight TDs ... Caught 18 passes for 243 yards and a pair of TDs as a sophomore

West Virginia's football program formalized some much needed help with its receiving corps with the signing of Devin Carter to a grant-in-aid (scholarship) for the 2023 season. Carter joins Davoan Hawkins, Ja'Shaun Poke, Montre Miller, Michael Hayes and Kole Taylor as six official signees who are now enrolled at WVU for the spring 2023 semester, and eligible to participate in spring practice.

Other transfers, including defensive lineman Fatorma Mulbah and safety Keyshawn Cobb have verbally committed are also expected to sign grants-in-aid with WVU. The Mountaineers also still have room for some 3-4 additional transfers in the program.

Devin Carter, Sr., WR, 6-3, 215, Clayton, NC/Clayton High School/NC State

Carter will have one year of eligibility remaining. Previously:

2022 - NC State

Played in nine games and finished with 25 catches for 406 yards and two touchdowns ... Averaged 16.2 yards per catch ... Long catch went for 52 yards ... Averaged 45.1 yards receiving per game ... Fourth on the team in receptions despite missing four games ... Fifth on the team in all-purpose yards ... Season high six catches vs. North Carolina and five vs. Virginia Tech ... Top performance was 130 yards receiving vs. North Carolina with one score ... Finished his time at NC State with 118 catches for 1906 yards and 10 touchdowns ... For his career, averaged 16.2 yards per catch

2021 – NC State

Averaged a team best 17.9 yards per reception ... Long reception went for 58 yards ... Third on the team in receiving yards and receptions ... Started 12 games and totaled 31 catches for 556 yards ... Finished with six touchdowns ... Two touchdowns vs. Wake Forest ... Participated on 620 offensive plays during the season, including 90 snaps vs. Clemson

2020 - NC State

NC State’s third leading receiver with 29 catches for 477 yards and two touchdowns ... Played in 12 games with 10 starts ... Averaged a team best 16.4 yards per catch ... Participated in 589 offensive plays ... First career touchdown came against Wake Forest ... Long catch went for 39 yards

2019 - NC State

32 receptions for 456 yards ... Averaged 14.3 yards per catch with a long of 55 ... Played in 12 games with 11 starts ... Participated on 708 offensive plays ... First 100-yard receiving effort came against Boston College with 140 yards, which was tops on the team in 2019 ... A season best six catches vs. Boston College ... Led team in receiving vs. Florida State and Boston College ... Co-recipient of the team’s Alpha Rising Award given to the player who shows exceptional improvement

2018 - NC State

Played in four games and had one catch for 11 yards ... Participated on 19 offensive plays

High School – Clayton High School

Career numbers included 160 receptions for 2,700 yards and 39 touchdowns ... 55 catches as a senior for 1,073 yards and 17 touchdowns ... Also rushed for two scores ... 78 catches as a junior for 1,167 yards and 15 scores ... Named Greater Neuse Offensive Player of the Year by the Raleigh News & Observer ... Played in the Blue-Grey All-American Bowl and Shrine Bowl ... Ranked as a Top 33 prospect in the state of North Carolina

Davoan Hawkins, Sr., DL, 6-2, 286, Lauderdale Hill, Fla./Chaminade-Madonna High School/Tennessee State

Hawkins has one year of eligibility remaining. Previously:

2022 – Tennessee State

Finished career at Tennessee Tech with 92 career tackles (51 solo/41 assisted) ... Career numbers also include 18 tackles for a loss of 89 yards, eight sacks for a loss of 54 yards, five forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries and two block kicks ... For the season, he recorded 31 total tackles (16 solo/15 assisted), five tackles for loss, one sack, one forced fumble and two fumble recoveries ... Recorded six tackles vs. Tennessee Tech, five tackles vs. Middle Tennessee and four vs. Jackson State

Fall - 2021 - Tennessee State

Played in 11 games ... Collected 29 tackles – 16 solo/13 assisted ... Tallied 4.5 tackles for loss and two sacks ... Forced two fumbles and blocked two kicks ... Registered five quarterback hurries

Spring – 2021-COVID Season – Tennessee State

Played in all seven games ... Recorded 19 solo tackles and 12 assisted for a total of 32 ... Nine tackles for a loss of 39 yards and five sacks for a loss of 28 yards ... Registered two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery ... Recorded seven tackles in three different games during the season ... Top performance came against Eastern Illinois with seven tackles, four tackles for loss and two sacks ... Earned Hero Sports All-American honors

2020 – Kentucky

Saw action in nine games ... Finished the season with three solo tackles, two tackles for loss, one sack and one forced fumble

2019 – Kentucky

Played in one game as a redshirt freshman - did not record any statistics

2018 – Kentucky

Redshirted

High School

Rated a three-star prospect by ESPN ... Played on the offensive and defensive line ... Chaminade-Madonna won the 3A state championship in 2017 ... Registered 65 total tackles, 21 tackles for loss and 12 sacks as a senior ... Three-time first-team all-county selection

Ja’Shaun Poke, Sr., WR, 5-10, 173, Hampton, Ga./Dutchtown/Kent State

Poke has one year of playing eligibility remaining, but has a two-year window in which to complete it. Previously:

2022 – Kent State

Played wide receiver and returned kickoffs for coach Sean Lewis at Kent State

Saw action in eight games, starting the final five ... Finished the season with 31 catches for 362 yards and a touchdown ... Had 15 kickoff returns for 411 yards, averaging 27.4 yards per return, with a long of 46 yards ... Registered six catches for 105 yards, a touchdown and a long of 39 yards against Eastern Michigan ... Had five catches for 54 yards against Bowling Green ... Career-high 13 catches for 87 yards against Ball State ... Registered two receptions for 51 yards with a long of 46 yards against Akron ... Collected three catches for 57 yards with a long of 38 yards against Toledo ... Three kickoff returns for 97 yards with a long of 34 yards against Miami, Ohio

2021 – Kent State

Played in nine games and started seven, helping lead the Golden Flashes to the MAC championship game and an appearance in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl ... Finished with 26 catches for 315 yards, a touchdown and a long of 42 yards ... Accumulated 24 kick returns for 565 yards, an average of 23.54 yards per return, with a long of 50 yards ... Had a touchdown reception against Wyoming in the bowl game; also had four kickoff returns for 84 yards with a long of 27 yards ... Registered three catches for 57 yards with a long of 41 yards and three kickoff returns for 72 yards with a long of 26 yards against Miami, Ohio ... Collected five catches for 33 yards with a long of 18 yards against Central Michigan ... Recorded four catches for 84 yards with a long of 42 yards vs. Northern Illinois ... Registered three catches for 54 yards with a long of 41 yards against Buffalo

2020 – Kent State

Played in all four games ... Finished second on the team in catches (21) and yards (326) ... Second on the team with three touchdown receptions ... Had career best seven catches for 124 yards against Buffalo

2019 - Kent State

Played in 11 games at wide receiver and on special teams ... Caught three passes for 30 yards and a long of 12 yards ... Had an 18-yard rush in win over Bowling Green ... Returned a kick in the bowl game win over Utah State for 33 yards

High School

Played defensive back for coach Niketa Battle at Dutchtown High ... During his junior and senior seasons, posted a combined 42 tackles with five interceptions ... Part of a 12-1 team his senior year that reached the Georgia “Elite 8� ... Named to the all-region 4-A first-team defense squad as a defensive back ... Also ran track and won the Georgia 5A State Championship in the 400m as a senior

Michael Hayes, r-Jr., K/P, 5-9, 189, Florence, S.C./West Florence/Georgia State

Hayes will have two years of eligibility remaining. Previously:

2022 - Georgia State

Played for coach Shawn Elliott at Georgia State ... Used as a kicker and punter who also handled the team’s kickoffs ... Played in 12 games and made 11-of-14 field goal attempts, hit 41-of-42 extra point attempts and averaged 42.0 yards on 56 punts with a long punt of 57 yards ... Also had 69 kickoffs for 4,433 yards with 47 touchbacks ... Had three or more touchbacks in 11 of the 12 games, including six against Southern Miss and five in three games ... Eight of his punts went for 50 yards or more, 18 resulted in a fair catch and he placed 17 inside the opponents’ 20-yard line ... Hit two field goals in three games and at least one in eight games ... Finished as the team’s leading scorer with 74 points, including 11 against Georgia Southern and 10 at James Madison

2021 – Georgia State

Named to the Pro Football Focus All-Sun Belt team ... Averaged 41.2 yards per kick on 59 punts ... Had a career long 66-yard punt vs. UL-Monroe ... Top games included 46.0-yard average on four punts vs. Army, 45.5 average on six punts vs. North Carolina and 45.2 average on six punts vs. Arkansas State ... Outstanding on kickoffs after taking over midway through the season

2020 – Georgia State

Averaged 40.4 yards on 50 punts in his first season, net of 39.6 ... Had eight kicks of 50 yards or more and nine punts downed inside the 20-yard line ... Top game was against Appalachian Sate, when he averaged 45.5 yards on six punts ... Season long of 58 yards vs. East Carolina and South Alabama ... With starting kicker Noel Ruiz unavailable against South Alabama, he handled punting, placekicking and kickoffs ... Averaged and netted 44.2 yards on four punts with two punts inside the 20-yard line, including a season-long 58-yard kick that was downed at the three-yard line ... Perfect on five placements, nailing four extra points and a 23-yard field goal, that gave GSU a 24-14 lead in the fourth quarter.

2019 – Georgia State

Redshirted

High School

Helped West Florence High School to an 11-2 record and the third round of the state playoffs ... Chosen for the North Carolina-South Carolina Shrine Bowl All-Star game ... Two-time All-Pee Dee selection by the Florence Morning News ... Palmetto Champions Specialist of the Year ... Made 64-of-65 extra point kicks and 6-of-8 field-goal attempts with long of 42 yards ... Recorded 72 touchbacks on kickoffs and averaged 40 yards per punt with a long of 50 ... Scored 170 points in his career, including 82 as a senior ... Also lettered two years in soccer

Montre Miller, r-Sr., CB, 5-10, 183, Blythewood, S.C./Westwood/Kent State

Miller will have one year of eligibility remaining. Previously:

2022 - Kent State

Started all 12 games at cornerback for coach Sean Lewis at Kent State ... Finished with 52 tackles, including 40 solo stops, two interceptions, eight pass breakups, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery ... Had two assisted tackles and two pass breakups against Buffalo ... Finished with six solo tackles against Eastern Michigan ... Registered eight tackles, including five solo tackles, and two pass breakups against Bowling Green ... Accumulated eight solo tackles and had an interception against Akron ... Finished with five tackles, including four unassisted, forced and recovered a fumble against Toledo ... Had seven tackles, including five solo stops and assisted on a tackle for loss against Miami, Ohio ... Recorded four solo tackles and a pass breakup against Ohio ... Registered three solo stops, had an interception and a pass breakup against No. 1 Georgia ... Had three assisted tackles and a pass breakup against No. 7 Oklahoma ... Accumulated three tackles against Washington ...

2021 – Kent State

Started 13 games and helped lead the Golden Flashes to the MAC championship game and an appearance in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl ... Finished with 47 tackles, including 39 unassisted, 2.5 tackles for loss, a team-leading four interceptions, nine pass breakups, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery ... Posted three tackles against Wyoming in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl ... Had five tackles against Northern Illinois in the MAC championship game ... Registered four solo stops, an interception and three pass breakups against Miami, OhioHad three tackles, including two solo stops, assisted on a tackle for loss, broke up a pass against Northern Illinois ... Collected five solo tackles against Ohio ... Season-high seven unassisted tackles and a pass breakup against Western Michigan ... Finished with four solo stops and a pass breakup against Buffalo ... Registered three tackles against Bowling Green ... Had two solo stops and a pass breakup against Maryland ... Posted five tackles, including four solo tackles and two tackles for loss and a forced fumble at Iowa ... Recorded three solo tackles and three interceptions against VMI ... Finished with three tackles and a pass breakup against Texas A&M

2020 – Kent State

Played in all four games ... Registered two solo tackles

2019 - Kent State

Played in eight games and helped Kent State to a 7-6 record and a win in the Tropical Smoothie Café Frisco Bowl ... Registered nine tackles including six solo stops ... Season best three stops in bowl game win against Utah State

2018 - Kent State

Played in four games and made one start while taking a redshirt ... Registered five tackles and two passes broken up ... Made collegiate debut at Bowling Green (10/30) ... Recorded first career start against Eastern Michigan (11/23) ... Set career-highs with five tackles and two passes broken up against Eastern Michigan (11/23)

High School

Played for coach Robert O’Connell at Westwood High ... Made 51 receptions for 606 yards and scored seven touchdowns as a senior ... During high school career made 125 catches for 1,652 yards and 18 touchdowns ... Team reached the second round of the state playoffs his senior year

Kole Taylor, Jr., TE, 6-7, 250, Grand Junction, Colo./Central/LSU

Will have two years of eligibility remaining. Previously:

2022 - LSU

Played tight end for coach Brian Kelly at LSU ... Had 32 career appearances with seven starts ... Saw action in 13 games, starting two, helping lead the Tigers to a 10-4 record, an appearance in the SEC Championship Game and a win over Purdue in the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl ... Finished with five catches for 55 yards with a long catch of 26 yards ... Had two catches for 33 yards with a long of 26 yards against Florida ... Registered an 11-yard reception against New Mexico ... Had an eight-yard catch against Florida State

2021 - LSU

Played in 12 games, starting three times ... Starts came against McNeese, at Kentucky and Louisiana-Monroe ... Scored first collegiate touchdown on a 41-yard reception in win over Mississippi State ... The 41-yard catch was longest of his career ... Had career-best four receptions for 22 yards in win over McNeese ... Added a 5-yard catch against Arkansas ... Member of the 2021 SEC Academic Honor Roll

2020 - LSU

Played in seven games, starting two ... Caught six passes for 36 yards ... The result was a first down, which extended LSU’s game-winning drive ... Had three receptions for 11 yards vs. Florida and followed that with two catches, including a 20-yarder, the following week in win over Ole Miss ... First career catch came against Texas A&M

High School

One of the nation’s top tight end prospects in the Class of 2020 ... Outstanding all-around player from Grand Junction, Colorado ... Totaled 1,084 yards receiving and 18 touchdowns during his high school career ... Hauled in 25 catches for 331 yards and five touchdowns as a senior in 2019 ... As a junior, caught 29 passes for 510 yards and eight TDs ... Caught 18 passes for 243 yards and a pair of TDs as a sophomore

West Virginia's football program has announced the signing of Davoan Hawkins to a grant-in-aid (scholarship). Hawkins joins Ja'Shaun Poke, Montre Miller, Michael Hayes and Kole Taylor as signees who are now enrolled at WVU for the spring 2023 semester, and eligible to participate in spring practice.

Other transfers, including defensive lineman Fatorma Mulbah, safety Keyshawn Cobb and wide receiver Devin Carter, are also expected to sign grants-in-aid with WVU.

Davoan Hawkins, Sr., DL, 6-2, 286, Lauderdale Hill, Fla./Chaminade-Madonna High School/Tennessee State

Hawkins has one year of eligibility remaining. Previously:

2022 – Tennessee State

Finished career at Tennessee Tech with 92 career tackles (51 solo/41 assisted) ... Career numbers also include 18 tackles for a loss of 89 yards, eight sacks for a loss of 54 yards, five forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries and two block kicks ... For the season, he recorded 31 total tackles (16 solo/15 assisted), five tackles for loss, one sack, one forced fumble and two fumble recoveries ... Recorded six tackles vs. Tennessee Tech, five tackles vs. Middle Tennessee and four vs. Jackson State

Fall - 2021 - Tennessee State

Played in 11 games ... Collected 29 tackles – 16 solo/13 assisted ... Tallied 4.5 tackles for loss and two sacks ... Forced two fumbles and blocked two kicks ... Registered five quarterback hurries

Spring – 2021-COVID Season – Tennessee State

Played in all seven games ... Recorded 19 solo tackles and 12 assisted for a total of 32 ... Nine tackles for a loss of 39 yards and five sacks for a loss of 28 yards ... Registered two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery ... Recorded seven tackles in three different games during the season ... Top performance came against Eastern Illinois with seven tackles, four tackles for loss and two sacks ... Earned Hero Sports All-American honors

2020 – Kentucky

Saw action in nine games ... Finished the season with three solo tackles, two tackles for loss, one sack and one forced fumble

2019 – Kentucky

Played in one game as a redshirt freshman - did not record any statistics

2018 – Kentucky

Redshirted

High School

Rated a three-star prospect by ESPN ... Played on the offensive and defensive line ... Chaminade-Madonna won the 3A state championship in 2017 ... Registered 65 total tackles, 21 tackles for loss and 12 sacks as a senior ... Three-time first-team all-county selection

Ja’Shaun Poke, Sr., WR, 5-10, 173, Hampton, Ga./Dutchtown/Kent State

Poke has one year of playing eligibility remaining, but has a two-year window in which to complete it. Previously:

2022 – Kent State

Played wide receiver and returned kickoffs for coach Sean Lewis at Kent State

Saw action in eight games, starting the final five ... Finished the season with 31 catches for 362 yards and a touchdown ... Had 15 kickoff returns for 411 yards, averaging 27.4 yards per return, with a long of 46 yards ... Registered six catches for 105 yards, a touchdown and a long of 39 yards against Eastern Michigan ... Had five catches for 54 yards against Bowling Green ... Career-high 13 catches for 87 yards against Ball State ... Registered two receptions for 51 yards with a long of 46 yards against Akron ... Collected three catches for 57 yards with a long of 38 yards against Toledo ... Three kickoff returns for 97 yards with a long of 34 yards against Miami, Ohio

2021 – Kent State

Played in nine games and started seven, helping lead the Golden Flashes to the MAC championship game and an appearance in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl ... Finished with 26 catches for 315 yards, a touchdown and a long of 42 yards ... Accumulated 24 kick returns for 565 yards, an average of 23.54 yards per return, with a long of 50 yards ... Had a touchdown reception against Wyoming in the bowl game; also had four kickoff returns for 84 yards with a long of 27 yards ... Registered three catches for 57 yards with a long of 41 yards and three kickoff returns for 72 yards with a long of 26 yards against Miami, Ohio ... Collected five catches for 33 yards with a long of 18 yards against Central Michigan ... Recorded four catches for 84 yards with a long of 42 yards vs. Northern Illinois ... Registered three catches for 54 yards with a long of 41 yards against Buffalo

2020 – Kent State

Played in all four games ... Finished second on the team in catches (21) and yards (326) ... Second on the team with three touchdown receptions ... Had career best seven catches for 124 yards against Buffalo

2019 - Kent State

Played in 11 games at wide receiver and on special teams ... Caught three passes for 30 yards and a long of 12 yards ... Had an 18-yard rush in win over Bowling Green ... Returned a kick in the bowl game win over Utah State for 33 yards

High School

Played defensive back for coach Niketa Battle at Dutchtown High ... During his junior and senior seasons, posted a combined 42 tackles with five interceptions ... Part of a 12-1 team his senior year that reached the Georgia “Elite 8� ... Named to the all-region 4-A first-team defense squad as a defensive back ... Also ran track and won the Georgia 5A State Championship in the 400m as a senior

Michael Hayes, r-Jr., K/P, 5-9, 189, Florence, S.C./West Florence/Georgia State

Hayes will have two years of eligibility remaining. Previously:

2022 - Georgia State

Played for coach Shawn Elliott at Georgia State ... Used as a kicker and punter who also handled the team’s kickoffs ... Played in 12 games and made 11-of-14 field goal attempts, hit 41-of-42 extra point attempts and averaged 42.0 yards on 56 punts with a long punt of 57 yards ... Also had 69 kickoffs for 4,433 yards with 47 touchbacks ... Had three or more touchbacks in 11 of the 12 games, including six against Southern Miss and five in three games ... Eight of his punts went for 50 yards or more, 18 resulted in a fair catch and he placed 17 inside the opponents’ 20-yard line ... Hit two field goals in three games and at least one in eight games ... Finished as the team’s leading scorer with 74 points, including 11 against Georgia Southern and 10 at James Madison

2021 – Georgia State

Named to the Pro Football Focus All-Sun Belt team ... Averaged 41.2 yards per kick on 59 punts ... Had a career long 66-yard punt vs. UL-Monroe ... Top games included 46.0-yard average on four punts vs. Army, 45.5 average on six punts vs. North Carolina and 45.2 average on six punts vs. Arkansas State ... Outstanding on kickoffs after taking over midway through the season

2020 – Georgia State

Averaged 40.4 yards on 50 punts in his first season, net of 39.6 ... Had eight kicks of 50 yards or more and nine punts downed inside the 20-yard line ... Top game was against Appalachian Sate, when he averaged 45.5 yards on six punts ... Season long of 58 yards vs. East Carolina and South Alabama ... With starting kicker Noel Ruiz unavailable against South Alabama, he handled punting, placekicking and kickoffs ... Averaged and netted 44.2 yards on four punts with two punts inside the 20-yard line, including a season-long 58-yard kick that was downed at the three-yard line ... Perfect on five placements, nailing four extra points and a 23-yard field goal, that gave GSU a 24-14 lead in the fourth quarter.

2019 – Georgia State

Redshirted

High School

Helped West Florence High School to an 11-2 record and the third round of the state playoffs ... Chosen for the North Carolina-South Carolina Shrine Bowl All-Star game ... Two-time All-Pee Dee selection by the Florence Morning News ... Palmetto Champions Specialist of the Year ... Made 64-of-65 extra point kicks and 6-of-8 field-goal attempts with long of 42 yards ... Recorded 72 touchbacks on kickoffs and averaged 40 yards per punt with a long of 50 ... Scored 170 points in his career, including 82 as a senior ... Also lettered two years in soccer

Montre Miller, r-Sr., CB, 5-10, 183, Blythewood, S.C./Westwood/Kent State

Miller will have one year of eligibility remaining. Previously:

2022 - Kent State

Started all 12 games at cornerback for coach Sean Lewis at Kent State ... Finished with 52 tackles, including 40 solo stops, two interceptions, eight pass breakups, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery ... Had two assisted tackles and two pass breakups against Buffalo ... Finished with six solo tackles against Eastern Michigan ... Registered eight tackles, including five solo tackles, and two pass breakups against Bowling Green ... Accumulated eight solo tackles and had an interception against Akron ... Finished with five tackles, including four unassisted, forced and recovered a fumble against Toledo ... Had seven tackles, including five solo stops and assisted on a tackle for loss against Miami, Ohio ... Recorded four solo tackles and a pass breakup against Ohio ... Registered three solo stops, had an interception and a pass breakup against No. 1 Georgia ... Had three assisted tackles and a pass breakup against No. 7 Oklahoma ... Accumulated three tackles against Washington ...

2021 – Kent State

Started 13 games and helped lead the Golden Flashes to the MAC championship game and an appearance in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl ... Finished with 47 tackles, including 39 unassisted, 2.5 tackles for loss, a team-leading four interceptions, nine pass breakups, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery ... Posted three tackles against Wyoming in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl ... Had five tackles against Northern Illinois in the MAC championship game ... Registered four solo stops, an interception and three pass breakups against Miami, OhioHad three tackles, including two solo stops, assisted on a tackle for loss, broke up a pass against Northern Illinois ... Collected five solo tackles against Ohio ... Season-high seven unassisted tackles and a pass breakup against Western Michigan ... Finished with four solo stops and a pass breakup against Buffalo ... Registered three tackles against Bowling Green ... Had two solo stops and a pass breakup against Maryland ... Posted five tackles, including four solo tackles and two tackles for loss and a forced fumble at Iowa ... Recorded three solo tackles and three interceptions against VMI ... Finished with three tackles and a pass breakup against Texas A&M

2020 – Kent State

Played in all four games ... Registered two solo tackles

2019 - Kent State

Played in eight games and helped Kent State to a 7-6 record and a win in the Tropical Smoothie Café Frisco Bowl ... Registered nine tackles including six solo stops ... Season best three stops in bowl game win against Utah State

2018 - Kent State

Played in four games and made one start while taking a redshirt ... Registered five tackles and two passes broken up ... Made collegiate debut at Bowling Green (10/30) ... Recorded first career start against Eastern Michigan (11/23) ... Set career-highs with five tackles and two passes broken up against Eastern Michigan (11/23)

High School

Played for coach Robert O’Connell at Westwood High ... Made 51 receptions for 606 yards and scored seven touchdowns as a senior ... During high school career made 125 catches for 1,652 yards and 18 touchdowns ... Team reached the second round of the state playoffs his senior year

Kole Taylor, Jr., TE, 6-7, 250, Grand Junction, Colo./Central/LSU

Will have two years of eligibility remaining. Previously:

2022 - LSU

Played tight end for coach Brian Kelly at LSU ... Had 32 career appearances with seven starts ... Saw action in 13 games, starting two, helping lead the Tigers to a 10-4 record, an appearance in the SEC Championship Game and a win over Purdue in the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl ... Finished with five catches for 55 yards with a long catch of 26 yards ... Had two catches for 33 yards with a long of 26 yards against Florida ... Registered an 11-yard reception against New Mexico ... Had an eight-yard catch against Florida State

2021 - LSU

Played in 12 games, starting three times ... Starts came against McNeese, at Kentucky and Louisiana-Monroe ... Scored first collegiate touchdown on a 41-yard reception in win over Mississippi State ... The 41-yard catch was longest of his career ... Had career-best four receptions for 22 yards in win over McNeese ... Added a 5-yard catch against Arkansas ... Member of the 2021 SEC Academic Honor Roll

2020 - LSU

Played in seven games, starting two ... Caught six passes for 36 yards ... The result was a first down, which extended LSU’s game-winning drive ... Had three receptions for 11 yards vs. Florida and followed that with two catches, including a 20-yarder, the following week in win over Ole Miss ... First career catch came against Texas A&M

High School

One of the nation’s top tight end prospects in the Class of 2020 ... Outstanding all-around player from Grand Junction, Colorado ... Totaled 1,084 yards receiving and 18 touchdowns during his high school career ... Hauled in 25 catches for 331 yards and five touchdowns as a senior in 2019 ... As a junior, caught 29 passes for 510 yards and eight TDs ... Caught 18 passes for 243 yards and a pair of TDs as a sophomore

West Virginia's football program has announced the signing of three transfers to grants-in-aid (scholarships). Those players are now enrolled at WVU for the spring 2023 semester, and eligible to participate in spring practice.

The players (Montre Miller, Michael Hayes, Kole Taylor) are part of a current group of eight transfers who have committed to the Mountaineer program. More signings could be announced in the coming days.

Michael Hayes, r-Jr., K/P, 5-9, 189, Florence, S.C./West Florence/Georgia State

Hayes will have two years of eligibility remaining. Previously:

2022 - Georgia State

Played for coach Shawn Elliott at Georgia State ... Used as a kicker and punter who also handled the team’s kickoffs ... Played in 12 games and made 11-of-14 field goal attempts, hit 41-of-42 extra point attempts and averaged 42.0 yards on 56 punts with a long punt of 57 yards ... Also had 69 kickoffs for 4,433 yards with 47 touchbacks ... Had three or more touchbacks in 11 of the 12 games, including six against Southern Miss and five in three games ... Eight of his punts went for 50 yards or more, 18 resulted in a fair catch and he placed 17 inside the opponents’ 20-yard line ... Hit two field goals in three games and at least one in eight games ... Finished as the team’s leading scorer with 74 points, including 11 against Georgia Southern and 10 at James Madison

2021 – Georgia State

Named to the Pro Football Focus All-Sun Belt team ... Averaged 41.2 yards per kick on 59 punts ... Had a career long 66-yard punt vs. UL-Monroe ... Top games included 46.0-yard average on four punts vs. Army, 45.5 average on six punts vs. North Carolina and 45.2 average on six punts vs. Arkansas State ... Outstanding on kickoffs after taking over midway through the season

2020 – Georgia State

Averaged 40.4 yards on 50 punts in his first season, net of 39.6 ... Had eight kicks of 50 yards or more and nine punts downed inside the 20-yard line ... Top game was against Appalachian Sate, when he averaged 45.5 yards on six punts ... Season long of 58 yards vs. East Carolina and South Alabama ... With starting kicker Noel Ruiz unavailable against South Alabama, he handled punting, placekicking and kickoffs ... Averaged and netted 44.2 yards on four punts with two punts inside the 20-yard line, including a season-long 58-yard kick that was downed at the three-yard line ... Perfect on five placements, nailing four extra points and a 23-yard field goal, that gave GSU a 24-14 lead in the fourth quarter.

2019 – Georgia State

Redshirted

High School

Helped West Florence High School to an 11-2 record and the third round of the state playoffs ... Chosen for the North Carolina-South Carolina Shrine Bowl All-Star game ... Two-time All-Pee Dee selection by the Florence Morning News ... Palmetto Champions Specialist of the Year ... Made 64-of-65 extra point kicks and 6-of-8 field-goal attempts with long of 42 yards ... Recorded 72 touchbacks on kickoffs and averaged 40 yards per punt with a long of 50 ... Scored 170 points in his career, including 82 as a senior ...

Also lettered two years in soccer

Montre Miller, r-Sr., CB, 5-10, 183, Blythewood, S.C./Westwood/Kent State

Miller will have one year of eligibility remaining. Previously:

2022 - Kent State

Started all 12 games at cornerback for coach Sean Lewis at Kent State ... Finished with 52 tackles, including 40 solo stops, two interceptions, eight pass breakups, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery ... Had two assisted tackles and two pass breakups against Buffalo ... Finished with six solo tackles against Eastern Michigan ... Registered eight tackles, including five solo tackles, and two pass breakups against Bowling Green ... Accumulated eight solo tackles and had an interception against Akron ... Finished with five tackles, including four unassisted, forced and recovered a fumble against Toledo ... Had seven tackles, including five solo stops and assisted on a tackle for loss against Miami, Ohio ... Recorded four solo tackles and a pass breakup against Ohio ... Registered three solo stops, had an interception and a pass breakup against No. 1 Georgia ... Had three assisted tackles and a pass breakup against No. 7 Oklahoma ... Accumulated three tackles against Washington ...

2021 – Kent State

Started 13 games and helped lead the Golden Flashes to the MAC championship game and an appearance in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl ... Finished with 47 tackles, including 39 unassisted, 2.5 tackles for loss, a team-leading four interceptions, nine pass breakups, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery ... Posted three tackles against Wyoming in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl ... Had five tackles against Northern Illinois in the MAC championship game ... Registered four solo stops, an interception and three pass breakups against Miami, OhioHad three tackles, including two solo stops, assisted on a tackle for loss, broke up a pass against Northern Illinois ... Collected five solo tackles against Ohio ... Season-high seven unassisted tackles and a pass breakup against Western Michigan ... Finished with four solo stops and a pass breakup against Buffalo ... Registered three tackles against Bowling Green ... Had two solo stops and a pass breakup against Maryland ... Posted five tackles, including four solo tackles and two tackles for loss and a forced fumble at Iowa ... Recorded three solo tackles and three interceptions against VMI ... Finished with three tackles and a pass breakup against Texas A&M

2020 – Kent State

Played in all four games ... Registered two solo tackles

2019 - Kent State

Played in eight games and helped Kent State to a 7-6 record and a win in the Tropical Smoothie Café Frisco Bowl ... Registered nine tackles including six solo stops ... Season best three stops in bowl game win against Utah State

2018 - Kent State

Played in four games and made one start while taking a redshirt ... Registered five tackles and two passes broken up ... Made collegiate debut at Bowling Green (10/30) ... Recorded first career start against Eastern Michigan (11/23) ... Set career-highs with five tackles and two passes broken up against Eastern Michigan (11/23)

High School

Played for coach Robert O’Connell at Westwood High ... Made 51 receptions for 606 yards and scored seven touchdowns as a senior ... During high school career made 125 catches for 1,652 yards and 18 touchdowns ... Team reached the second round of the state playoffs his senior year

Kole Taylor, Jr., TE, 6-7, 250, Grand Junction, Colo./Central/LSU

Will have two years of eligibility remaining. Previously:

2022 - LSU

Played tight end for coach Brian Kelly at LSU ... Had 32 career appearances with seven starts ... Saw action in 13 games, starting two, helping lead the Tigers to a 10-4 record, an appearance in the SEC Championship Game and a win over Purdue in the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl ... Finished with five catches for 55 yards with a long catch of 26 yards ... Had two catches for 33 yards with a long of 26 yards against Florida ... Registered an 11-yard reception against New Mexico ... Had an eight-yard catch against Florida State

2021 - LSU

Played in 12 games, starting three times ... Starts came against McNeese, at Kentucky and Louisiana-Monroe ... Scored first collegiate touchdown on a 41-yard reception in win over Mississippi State ... The 41-yard catch was longest of his career ... Had career-best four receptions for 22 yards in win over McNeese ... Added a 5-yard catch against Arkansas ... Member of the 2021 SEC Academic Honor Roll

2020 - LSU

Played in seven games, starting two ... Caught six passes for 36 yards ... The result was a first down, which extended LSU’s game-winning drive ... Had three receptions for 11 yards vs. Florida and followed that with two catches, including a 20-yarder, the following week in win over Ole Miss ... First career catch came against Texas A&M

High School

One of the nation’s top tight end prospects in the Class of 2020 ... Outstanding all-around player from Grand Junction, Colorado ... Totaled 1,084 yards receiving and 18 touchdowns during his high school career ... Hauled in 25 catches for 331 yards and five touchdowns as a senior in 2019 ... As a junior, caught 29 passes for 510 yards and eight TDs ... Caught 18 passes for 243 yards and a pair of TDs as a sophomore

West Virginia football head coach Neal Brown has been trying to expand the roles of tight ends in the Mountaineer offense the past couple of seasons, and reiterated that plan on the first day of the early signing period last week. He and the WVU program took a step in that direction on Christmas evening when Kole Taylor announced that he will be joining the team.

Let’s work🔵🟡 #HailWV pic.twitter.com/Tir51bPhtI— Kole Taylor (@KoleTaylor3) December 25, 2022

Taylor announced his entry into the transfer portal from LSU on Dec. 8. He saw his playing time at LSU decrease this season, and decided to look elsewhere for a chance to reverse that track.

At six feet, seven inches and 250 pounds, Taylor certainly has the size to be both a quality blocker and a big target in the passing game, although he was not thrown to often in the Tigers' offense. In three seasons at LSU, the Grand Junction, Colorado, native started seven of the 32 games in which he appeared, catching 17 passes for 159 yards and one score.

As the 2020 season does not count against eligibility, Taylor will have three years in which to play his final two seasons.

“This isn’t something I took lightheartedly … I’ve loved my time at LSU," he told the Grand Junction Daily Sentinel. "I think the biggest thing is that I want to go somewhere that fits best for me as a player, I like the team, I love my teammates and coaches … It was something I needed to do for my career and future … This was a long time coming, not an overnight decision.�

During Taylor's freshman season, he earned notoriety when his shoe was pulled off and thrown by Florida's Marco Wilson late in LSU's game against the Gators with the score tied. The resulting penalty gave LSU a first down and led to its game-winning 57-yard field goal.

Taylor is the third transfer to verbally commit to WVU this month. Cornerback Montre Miller and wide receiver Ja'Shaun Poke, both of Kent State, committed earlier in December.

KOLE TAYLOR LSU SOPHOMORE SEASON (2021)

Played in 12 games, starting 3 times …Starts came against McNeese, at Kentucky and Louisiana-Monroe … Scored first collegiate touchdown on a 41-yard reception in win over Mississippi State … The 41-yard catch was longest of his career … Had career-best 4 receptions for 22 yards in win over McNeese … Added a 5-yard catch against Arkansas … Finished season with 6 receptions for 68 yards and a touchdown.

KOLE TAYLOR LSU FRESHMAN SEASON (2020)

Played in seven games, starting twice … Caught six passes for 36 yards … Biggest catch of career thus far was a 4-yard reception on third-and-10 in fourth quarter in win over Florida … On that play, his cleat came off and Florida defender tossed it down field, resulting in an unsportsmanlike penalty … The result was a first down, which extended LSU’s game-winning drive … Had three receptions for 11 yards vs. Florida and followed that with two catches, including a 20-yarder, the following week in win over Ole Miss … First career catch came against Texas A&M.

KOLE TAYLOR HIGH SCHOOL

One of the nation’s top tight end prospects in the Class of 2020 … Outstanding all-around player from Central High School in Grand Junction, Colorado … Hauled in 25 catches for 331 yards and five touchdowns as a senior in 2019 … As a junior, caught 29 passes for 510 yards and eight TDs … Caught 18 passes for 243 yards and a pair of TDs as a sophomore … Totaled 1,084 yards receiving and 18 touchdowns during his high school career … Coached by Brandon Milholland … Enrolled at LSU in January of 2020.

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (WV News) — It is almost eerie to think about how Wednesday's Christmas came early for college football recruits across the country, including at West Virginia University, and crossed paths with the untimely, unexpected death of a Pittsburgh Steeler icon, the author of "The Immaculate Reception." Franco Harris.

There were so many messages in the feelings throughout football that ranged for the joy of the young players taking the next step toward trying to carve out their niche in the game that was once ruled by Franco and his Italian Army.

Innocents, they are, filled with more dreams than accomplishments, about to face their first real tests as they travel down life's paths. Some will succeed, more will fail. The most will land in between. In that way football and life are as one.

Some, perhaps, have not even heard of "The Immaculate Reception," which is to celebrate its 50th anniversary this week.

Harris was to be honored for the play that beat the Oakland Raiders in the most improbable, nearly impossible of fashions, a Terry Bradshaw pass seemingly broken up by Jack Tatum only to have the ball ricochet downfield where Harris scooped it up at shoe-top level and ran it in for the game winning score.

That miracle on the final play of the game did not win a Super Bowl but it gave impetus to a Super Bowl franchise. It was the Steeler's first playoff win ever. It injected an aura into the Steeler bloodline and lifted Harris to a place in history that would only grow over the years.

Without that play our world would not become as good a place as it became, because Harris, despite being a member of the hated enemy in Morgantown, where he was part of the yearly muggings Penn State inflicted upon the Mountaineers, became a caring, giving member of the community, that loved him back; not just for the catch, but for all he had done within the community.

Somewhere out there, in this recruiting class, there is probably the next Franco Harris, but first we have to understand that they have a different world to exist in.

They will be tempted with money and with transfer pressures, they will have to endure a lesser role as Harris did at Penn State, being not the star of those great Joe Paterno teams, but the fullback whose first chore was to block for Lydell Mitchell.

If there was a message in that play that Harris would transmit to this year's recruiting classes everywhere, it was this:

"No matter how hopeless something appears ... you don't ever give up. Anything can happen."

That he said a few of years ago in a USA Today article on the anniversary of the catch, noting it was a message that had been ingrained in him by Paterno:

"Go to the ball! Go to the ball!" Paterno would say over and over.

"I know it's hard to believe that was in my head," Harris said. "That's one thing that I did when I first went to practice with the Steelers. When you hear things like that as (a college) player, it kind of just goes through you. But when I got to the next level it was 'What are the things I need to do now that will make me better, that can make difference?'"

He thought of what Paterno said and now visitors to Pittsburgh are greeted in the city with a statue of him making "The Immaculate Reception."

We all have an effect on others and that goes for the new players, the ones Neal Brown will try to mold into winners and champions and people.

He had spent a hectic few days in the final days of recruitment leading up to signing day and there was much going through his mind on Wednesday morning when he awoke and turned on ESPN and learned of Harris' death.

"That's a historical play," Neal Brown began when asked what he would like his recruits to take out of Harris and the play he made. "First off, signing day is a weird day for a coach because you have this uneasiness about signing day.

"Like the night before is uneasy. Even the guys you talked to, and it's good, because it's never good until it's signed and delivered. You get up early, but your work is done by 9 a.m. So I had ESPN in my office and I enjoyed watching the coverage of Franco Harris.

"The thing that really stood out is watching and hearing what his former teammates said about him. That, to me, if the people you played with speak highly of you, then that's really good. For a guy like him who was a leader and a tough guy — he might not be the most popular or the most liked, but he was respected, which is the most important thing."

So many people live their lives for money, for fame, for fun ... but when it comes time to tally it all up, what you have done, how you have done it and what it has meant to those closest to you ... well, that's respect, and it's the one thing Brown believes his new players should gun for as they move their time at WVU and beyond.