The West Virginia Mountaineers’ pursuit of top defensive line talent in the 2026 recruiting class hit a setback recently, as defensive lineman Brian Harris, a rising star from Jacksonville, Florida, removed WVU from his list of finalists.
Harris, a 6-foot-3, 290-pound prospect, had initially included the Mountaineers in his top 10 schools after a recent visit, sparking excitement among WVU fans. However, just days later, Harris made the decision to narrow down his list and excluded West Virginia from his final group of contenders.
According to John Garcia Jr. of Rivals, the 2026 defensive line prospect is now focusing on five schools: Alabama, Michigan, Oklahoma, Penn State, and South Carolina. These programs are expected to battle it out for Harris’ commitment later this month.
Along with West Virginia, four other schools—Auburn, Colorado, Mississippi State, and Stanford—were also cut from Harris’ list, signaling that the top recruit is honing in on a select few options.
For Harris, the decision to exclude West Virginia was likely influenced by a variety of factors, including the program’s current standing in recruiting and its ability to compete at the highest level in the Big 12 and nationally. With Harris now off the board for the Mountaineers, WVU will turn its attention to other defensive line targets to build up its 2026 class.
During his junior year at Mandarin High School, Harris posted impressive statistics: 29 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, and two forced fumbles. His combination of size, strength, and playmaking ability has made him one of the top defensive line prospects in the country, drawing attention from several elite programs.
While the Mountaineers won’t be landing Harris this cycle, the focus now shifts to other talented defensive line recruits who are still considering WVU.
Among them are several standout prospects, including Ben Boulware from Winston-Salem, NC; Arthur Scott from Streetsboro, OH; Djidjou Bah from Germantown, TN; Carter Luckie from Norcross, GA; Jude Okeleke from Watertown, CT; and Tyson Bacon from Hoover, AL. These recruits will be pivotal as the Mountaineers aim to strengthen their defensive line for the future.
As it stands, West Virginia has already secured several commitments for the 2026 class, including quarterback Jyron Hughley, running back Jett Walker, tight end Sam Hamilton, linebacker Cameron Dwyer, and safeties Taj Powell and Emory Snyder.
While the Mountaineers have made strides in securing key pieces for their future, losing out on a top talent like Harris is a reminder of how competitive the recruiting process can be.
Nonetheless, the Mountaineers remain a major player in recruiting, and head coach Neal Brown and his staff will continue to target and recruit high-caliber prospects as they look to improve and build a championship-contending team in the years ahead.
While the loss of Harris is a blow to West Virginia’s defensive line hopes, there are plenty of other talented recruits still in the mix, and the Mountaineers’ recruiting efforts will continue to build momentum heading into the next phase of the 2026 recruiting cycle.
As Harris heads toward a decision between some of college football’s most prestigious programs, WVU will refocus its efforts on securing commitments from other highly sought-after defensive line recruits and continue to build a strong foundation for the future. The 2026 class still has plenty of potential for the Mountaineers, and they remain a major player in the national recruiting landscape.
