By: Cole Livengood | WV Sports Chat
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – The early signing period is over in Morgantown, and with one of the most loaded recruiting classes in recent memory, hopes are high for the new-look Mountaineers.
Following a disappointing 4-8 finish to this season that ended with the worst home loss since 1891 against Texas Tech, the Mountaineers went hard on signing day. Head Coach Rich Rodriguez was successfully able to put ink to paper on 49 recruits this year, ranking 20th in the nation and second in the Big 12 according to Rivals.
One of the main focuses in this year’s class was fixing an offensive line that allowed 31 sacks in 12 games last season, the second most in the Big 12.
The Mountaineers signed seven commits on the offensive line. One of the biggest signatures Rich Rod was able to land on Wednesday was Camden Goforth. The 6-foot-4 inch lineman out of McMinn County High School (TN) flipped his commitment to the Mountaineers following his offical visit back in June after being previously committed to Coastal Carolina. Goforth described a flood of emotions when he picked up the pen and signed his name on his National Letter of Intent.
“All the ups and downs, all the stress and pain, it makes every bit of it worth it,” the three-star recruit told WV Sports Chat.
Camden has made quite the name for himself in the Mountain State even before stepping on campus. He has insane highlight tapes featuring countless pancake blocks and a play style that fits West Virginia’s “Hard Edge” mentality. When asked what the “Hard Edge” mentality meant to him, Goforth responded with,
“Hard edge is doing whatever it takes to succeed. It’s about pushing yourself past any obstacles in your way, pushing yourself to be better every single day. Ultimately, it’s about being hard-nosed and not letting anything stop you.”
Goforth has one of the strongest social media influences ever seen from a West Virginia recruit, garnering over 10k followers on “X” (formerly Twitter). The Mountaineers are well known for having one of the most passionate fan bases in all of college sports. He told us, “It’s great that the fans support the players this much.” The 2026 lineman visited Morgantown during the Mountaineers’ 31-24 OT victory over Pitt in the 108th Backyard Brawl. He told us he talked with some fans during a break in his road trip back home. Those fans were excited about his commitment and wished him well.
Goforth holds five lifting records at McMinn County High School, highlighted by a 700lbs back squat he achieved back in November. But he tells us that’s not enough. Goforth has set his eyes on breaking the school records for front squat and snatch. The signee has shown a burning passion that is unmatched by his motivation and dedication to his craft.
He tells us that excitement is building within the 2026 class and that they are all “hungry.”
Goforth’s energy can only be matched by fellow commit Kevin Brown, the four-star commit flipped from Penn State after the firing of James Franklin.
Brown made his name known to the fanbase by announcing his commitment by burning a couch on The Pat McAfee Show.
With all this burning passion, watch for the 2026 Mountaineers to turn some heads.
Photo Credit: Daily-Post Athenian
