One of West Virginia’s top football recruiting targets, Laron Dues, is gearing up for a key official visit to Morgantown. The Cardinal Mooney 2026 athlete, who stands 5-foot-9 and weighs 165 pounds, has narrowed his list to five schools — and the Mountaineers made the cut.
Joining Indiana, Georgia Tech, Oregon, and South Florida, West Virginia earned a place in Dues’ top five due largely to the strength of his relationships with the coaching staffs.
“The biggest thing was the relationships I had with them all,” Dues explained.
The Mountaineers were early to show interest, offering Dues a scholarship in January following a conversation with head coach Rich Rodriguez. That initial connection has only deepened over time — and for Dues, who is originally from the state, there’s an added layer of significance.
He’s the younger brother of Tyshawn Dues, a 2025 wide receiver who’s already committed to WVU. Now, the younger Dues is seriously considering following in his brother’s footsteps, especially after building a close relationship with WVU safeties coach Gabe Franklin.
“Things have been great with WVU. The relationships are great. Coach Franklin is great to talk to and always reminds me how good it is to play for your home team,” Dues said.
Rated a three-star prospect by Rivals.com, Dues is being recruited as a defensive back. He’s coming off a stellar junior season where he posted 81 tackles, 5 interceptions, 25 pass breakups, 7 tackles for loss, and a forced fumble — numbers that highlight his all-around impact on the field.
His official visit to West Virginia is set for June 6-8, with additional visits planned to Indiana and South Florida. He plans to make a final decision by the end of June.
When it comes to choosing his future school, Dues says the deciding factors are all about development and fit.
“The most important thing for me is the development and the feel of the place.”
With a deep family connection, strong support from the coaching staff, and a promising path to play early, West Virginia has positioned itself well in the race to land this talented 2026 athlete.
