West Virginia Secures Commitment from Unheralded 2026 Prospect Charlie Hanafin
The West Virginia Mountaineers have added a significant, albeit unexpected, piece to their 2026 recruiting class with the commitment of Charlie Hanafin, a wide receiver from Dexter Southfield (Mass.). This pledge came as a surprise to many, as Hanafin wasn’t on the program’s recruiting radar until just last month. His commitment was announced on Friday night, marking a swift and impactful recruitment.
Hanafin’s path to a WVU scholarship offer began with his attendance at one of the program’s summer camp sessions held in Morgantown. During the camp, he showcased impressive receiving skills and made such a strong impression on the coaching staff that he walked away with a coveted scholarship offer. His athleticism and ability to make crucial catches were key factors in earning the attention of the Mountaineer coaches.
The Massachusetts prospect publicly announced his decision on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), extending his gratitude to the coaching staff, stating that they “made it feel like home.” Before committing to WVU, Hanafin had also been considering an offer from in-state ACC program Boston College, as well as multiple FCS offers, highlighting the significance of West Virginia’s successful pursuit.
One of Hanafin’s most memorable moments during the camp occurred during a critical 1-on-1 competition between wide receivers and defensive backs. With the score tied at 9-9, head coach Rich Rodriguez asked for the best player from each side for a decisive final drill. Wide receivers coach Ryan Garrett immediately turned to Hanafin, who then executed a spectacular play, high-pointing the ball in mid-air over his defender to secure the winning catch. This clutch performance undoubtedly solidified the coaching staff’s interest.
Following the scholarship offer, Hanafin shared with Rivals that his primary goal was to “come out and compete,” and he certainly achieved that. He arrived at the camp with only one other FBS offer but departed with the attention of one of the winningest active coaches at the FBS level. He recounted how “Coach Rodriguez told me multiple times through the day that he loves my competitiveness and athleticism. It was awesome to have him out on the field with us.” Hanafin expressed immense pride in “coming into today relatively unknown and earn[ing] a scholarship offer,” appreciating that the coaches “recognized my athleticism and competitiveness.”
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