Springfield (Ohio) athlete Taj Powell is already committed to West Virginia, but his official visit from June 6–8 only made him feel more confident in that decision. The 2026 standout spent the weekend in Morgantown with his family and came away even more certain that WVU is where he belongs.
“Seeing them feel comfortable and welcomed by everybody meant a lot to me,” Powell said, reflecting on the experience with his loved ones.
Powell, a 6-foot-3, 210-pound athlete, had been to Morgantown before. But this trip allowed him to take a deeper look—touring the facilities, spending time with the players and coaches, and getting a true feel for the environment. What stood out the most to him was the unity and care shown by the coaching staff.
“Everyone’s on the same page and they genuinely care about you as a person, not just a player,” he explained.
He especially appreciated the time spent with nickels/sams coach Henry Weinreich, who broke down how the Mountaineers plan to use his speed, instincts, and versatility in their defense.
Powell is being targeted for the hybrid nickel role, and Weinreich, along with defensive coordinator Zac Alley, helped him understand just how crucial that position is to WVU’s defensive game plan.
“He talked a lot about the bigger picture of the defense and how important that hybrid nickel role is in what they do,” Powell said.
The visit also included valuable conversations with current players and recruits, giving Powell a look at the strong team chemistry and support system already in place.
He also had a memorable meeting with head coach Rich Rodriguez.
“Knows how to win,” Powell said of Rodriguez. “You can tell he has a vision and a fire to build something special and I’m excited to be a part of that.”
Rated a three-star prospect by Rivals.com, Powell left the visit with his commitment stronger than ever.
“I can’t wait to get up there, get to work and represent that state and that fanbase,” he said.
West Virginia fans can expect a dedicated, talented player ready to give his all for the Mountaineers.
