Analyzing the 2010 Big East signing classes ...

West Virginia


View class here.

Signees: 19

Heavy on: Defensive backs (five) and receivers (four).

Geographic trend: Six of the 19 signees are from Virginia, Maryland or Washington, D.C.

Headliners: WR Ivan McCartney (ESPNU 150), QB Barry Brunetti (four stars).

Sleeper: Qudral Forte was a late addition to the class, a 6-foot-1 speedster whom Bill Stewart says is talented enough to play quarterback.

Best potential for immediate impact: Junior college defensive end Bruce Irvin will get a chance to play right away. Prep school product Deon Long may be advanced enough to contribute at receiver.

Needs met: The Mountaineers needed more playmakers at wideout with the graduation of Wes Lyons and Alric Arnett. They needed quarterback depth behind Geno Smith and signed two star high schoolers in Brunetti and Jeremy Johnson. They also added reinforcements at defensive line and linebacker.

Analysis: West Virginia had the makings of a stellar class before some decommittments happened late in the process. But Stewart & Co. rebounded late with some nice additions, especially McCartney. Like most Mountaineers classes, this one has a lot of speed and not just pint-sized guys like Noel Devine and Jock Sanders. With a boatload of starters returning, this class should augment the current team and give it a chance to compete for the Big East title.

What Stewart said: "I thought we did very well. Tall, fast and athletic. I like the speed first. ... The quarterbacks are going to play. The receivers are going to play. I would imagine the linebackers are going to play. They all have a chance, they really do. ... [Brunetti and Johnson are] both Elite 11 types of players and they also know we have an Elite 11 quarterback waiting here. When you can find three guys that want to compete for one job, those are three pretty special guys. Hopefully they all stay, but we only have one football. That will be great competition."

Scouts Inc. grade: B-minus