BREAKING: West Virginia Flips UCF Linebacker Commit Antoine Sharp…

BREAKING: West Virginia Flips UCF Linebacker Commit Antoine Sharp

 

In a major recruiting win, West Virginia has officially flipped three-star linebacker Antoine Sharp from the University of Central Florida (UCF). Sharp, a standout from Atlanta, Georgia, announced his decision Thursday afternoon via social media, sending shockwaves through the college football recruiting world and giving the Mountaineers a significant boost in their 2025 recruiting class.

Sharp, who originally committed to UCF in March, had remained firm with the Knights for several months. However, a late push from West Virginia’s defensive staff, led by linebackers coach Jeff Koonz, proved too strong to ignore. Sharp visited Morgantown earlier this month and came away impressed by the program’s vision, facilities, and most importantly, the defensive scheme that aligns well with his versatile skill set.

 

“I felt like West Virginia was the best place for me to grow as both a player and a person,” Sharp said in a statement. “Coach Brown and Coach Koonz showed me how I could thrive in their system, and the atmosphere on campus just felt right. I appreciate everything UCF has done for me, but I have to follow my heart.”

At 6-foot-2 and 215 pounds, Sharp is a prototypical modern linebacker — fast, physical, and instinctual. He excels in space, has sideline-to-sideline range, and has shown the ability to cover tight ends and backs out of the backfield. He finished his junior season with 112 total tackles, 14 tackles for loss, and 5 sacks, along with 2 interceptions. His athleticism and versatility made him a high-priority target for multiple Power Five programs late in the cycle.

West Virginia’s flip of Sharp comes at a crucial time. The Mountaineers have been aggressively reshaping their defense to compete at a higher level in the Big 12, and Sharp’s commitment represents a key building block. He is now one of the top-rated defensive players in West Virginia’s 2025 class and joins a growing list of athletic, high-upside prospects.

Recruiting analysts have noted that Sharp’s decommitment from UCF isn’t necessarily a reflection on the Knights, but rather a testament to West Virginia’s persistence and ability to close on top-tier talent. UCF remains a strong recruiter in the Southeast, but this marks the second defensive commit they’ve lost this cycle.

“This is a big-time get for WVU,” said 247Sports recruiting analyst Brian Dohn. “Sharp has the tools to be an impact player at the next level. West Virginia did an outstanding job selling him on his role in the defense, and it paid off.”

West Virginia now holds 15 commitments in the 2025 class and is climbing steadily in the national rankings. Head coach Neal Brown emphasized earlier this spring that the program would be more aggressive in recruiting playmakers on defense, and this latest win is a clear sign of that strategy in action.

For Sharp, the decision marks a new chapter — one that Mountaineer fans hope will lead to big plays in Milan Puskar Stadium for years to come.