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WTAP Sports
Posted: 9:55 AM Feb 6, 2008
Last Updated: 11:25 AM Feb 7, 2008
Reporter: Jim Wharton
Email Address: sports@wtap.com

42 comments

A | A | A

Josh Jenkins football journey is taking him to Morgantown. Wednesday morning, the All-American lineman from Parkersburg High School officially accepted a scholarship offer to play for the West Virginia Mountaineers.

With his family and friends looking on at the Memorial Fieldhouse, Josh at first donned a Michigan hat...then fired it into the crowd and put on his WVU hat.

It's a big recruiting coup for new WVU head coach Bill Stewart. Josh was recruited heavily by Ohio State, Florida State and other national powers.

Josh is a two-time Hunt Award winner as the lineman of the year in West Virginia. He was part of a Big Red team that won state football championships back to back for the first time in school history.

As part of Wednesday's signing ceremonies, Travis Bunner and Zach Nolan signed letters of intent with Fairmont State University. And Big Red Soccer player Michael Pitrolo accepted a scholarship offer from West Virginia University.

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Comments are posted from viewers like you and do not always reflect the views of this station.

Posted by: Dude Location: The Burg on Feb 17, 2008 at 09:58 AM
Why are Ohio State "fan" a)bashing WVU for not just signing Josh Jenkins, but for b)not winning (???), and for c)not having more homegrown WV talent on their roster? Give me a break! Why are Ohio State "fans" even prowling the message boards of WVU fans? Classic act of jealousy and envy. That's great. You want to bash WVU & fans and then talk up the PAST OSU National Championships? We get it, OSU has won 7 NT’s. Admirable. I’d be crazy to say it not noteworthy, but to keep pulling it out and into the faces of others…living in the past. 1) Josh Jenkins is a monster and signed with his home state…get over it. 2) 18% of the current WVU roster comes from within the state…the rest is just GREAT recruiting. Not an easy assignment either. Ever been to Morgantown? As long as you like Wild and Wonderful it is great. 3)Bashing WV for not YET winning a national championship is like calling a fat man fat--no kidding. However, the GOAL for WVU is to WIN the NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP.

Posted by: bigbob Location: marietta on Feb 12, 2008 at 08:57 PM
LOL, anyone who says that Buckeye fans are sore losers is pathetic. At least OSU got the the national championship, UNLIKE the choker Mountaineers. It seems like Jenkins didn't want to have to compete for a position, and he would have to if he played at OSU or Michigan. Going to WVU was the easy way out. Now he has pretty much no chance to play in the NFL. Just look at Dan Mozes. He won the Remington and went undrafted. The NFL is the unltimate evaluator of college talent, and WVU is waaaay behind any of the other powers. Only 6 WVU players were drafted in the Rich Rod era, and none went higher than the 3rd round. Sounds like an overrated program to me. Maybe if WVU actually wins a national championship sometime people will acutally respect you, but until then, quit thinking that you are a national power. WVU got lucky when Miami, Va Tech and BC left for the ACC. You were a mid-conference team before they left, and just because you can win the conference without them there isn't great.

Posted by: Joe Location: unknown on Feb 10, 2008 at 02:45 PM
I have one of the biggest questions. Will he even make it through the educational part of college

Posted by: Ray Location: Belpre on Feb 10, 2008 at 08:02 AM
Justin, I believe WTAP is not only a news station for "a wv town" but the entire mid-OHIO valley, and yes this includes some "OHIO towns". Sore losers???? Who wanted to lynch mob Coach Rod for taking a better job?????

Posted by: Justin Location: Parkersburg on Feb 9, 2008 at 02:47 PM
"Josh will be a Bust. For crying out loud he plays in West Viginia" Then why Chriss are you on a web site for a WV town? Some of you OSU fans are just sore losers.

Posted by: rob Location: all over the east on Feb 8, 2008 at 10:12 PM
hay travis, no this makes u happy, but also make ur mom wif mix'd feelins, happy and sad to loose u, but she's not loosin u, she's tamara is gainin a young man, devoted to his family and his sport. she's pround of ya, and the short tyme i come to know ya, ur the man she has raised, she will come to c this by watchin u play in fairmont. congrats

Posted by: Ray Location: Belpre on Feb 8, 2008 at 08:00 PM
HEY MIKEY, I QUOTE" He will not end up in trouble like several other OSU players" END QUOTE. WHAT JUST HAPPENED THIS WEEK TO THREE WVU PLAYERS. DO YOU LIVE IN A HOLE??? AND DO YOU REALLY WANT TO TALK BOWL GAMES? LETS TALK ABOUT NUMBER OF NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS, HOW MANY FOR WVU? ZZZEEERRROOOOOO!!!!!!HOW ABOUT BEING FAVORED BY 28 IN YOUR OWN HOUSE AND BEING STOMPED BY PITT, HOW SOON SOME PEOPLE FORGET... AT LEAST wvu IS STILL NUMBER ONE IN SOMETHING(MOST WINS WITHOUT A NATIONAL TITLE) SEE, THERES SOMETHING YOU CAN BE PROUD OF...ONE MORE QUESTION, HOW MANY ON THE wvu ROSTER ARE ACTUALLY FROM WV??? ANSWER: HARDLY ANY:-(

Posted by: Mike Location: Parkersburg on Feb 7, 2008 at 11:58 PM
Reading some of these comments from the OSU supporters makes me hate OSU and their fans even more. Do you really think that you have to go to OSU to get to the NFL. I will say this... At least Josh has some class. He will not end up in trouble like several other OSU players. At least he will without doubt win a bowl game and if all goes well it could be the BIG ONE.. If we are really lucky maybe it will come in a National Championship game against OSU. Let's just see how tough the Big Ten is. Can someone please remind me of one statistic? How many bowl games has OSU won againt teams from the SEC... I just remembered that answer is ZERO... Thanks Josh for all of the memories that you and your Big Red teamates have provided over the last three years. You are a class-act on and off the field. Best of luck in y our future and without doubt you were correct when you said "It is a great day to be a Mountaineer."

Posted by: Mark Location: Mineral Wells on Feb 7, 2008 at 01:45 PM
The kid was obviously scared of competition. I don't blame him, b/c we all know that if he went to OSU, he would never sniff the field. At WVU he'll start for three years - and not get drafted!

Posted by: BRENT Location: KENTUCKY on Feb 7, 2008 at 11:30 AM
HEY RYAN FROM COLUMBUS,WHAT EVER BOWL JOSH GOES TO HE WILL AT LEAST NO WHAT IT FEELS LIKE TO WIN THE BOWL.

Posted by: John Location: Vermilion, Ohio on Feb 7, 2008 at 10:45 AM
Congratulations Josh, and Good Luck. I am a Buckeye fan inside and out, but we did well and you at leadt spurned SCUM University by tossing the hat. We would have really liked you in Scarlett and Gray but your choice, WVU is also a great one for a hometown kid. GO BUCKS! & GO EERS! But most of all BEAT MICHIGAN!!!

Posted by: Parrothead Location: Marietta on Feb 7, 2008 at 10:38 AM
I set a couch on fire to celebrate !!!!

Posted by: Chris Location: Columbus on Feb 7, 2008 at 10:35 AM
Josh will be a Bust. For crying out loud he plays in West Viginia.

Posted by: Bob Location: Elizabeth on Feb 7, 2008 at 03:31 AM
Who cares?

Posted by: Tony (US Navy) Location: Lexington Park, MD on Feb 6, 2008 at 10:18 PM
Thanks for staying, Josh. I know it might have been a tough decision, but you won't regret choosing WVU. You'll be working under some great coaches and be cheered on by some of the best fans in the nation. Thanks again, and good luck to you. I'll be watching.

Posted by: Harold Location: Parkersburg on Feb 6, 2008 at 09:48 PM
Just want to say congrats to JJ and that he made the right decision,Also I guess it just goes to show that u may take a Mountaineer out of West Virginia but you will NEVER take a TRUE WEST VIRGINIAN from the Mountaineers.

Posted by: Jeremy Location: Athens, GA on Feb 6, 2008 at 09:31 PM
Mark from cinci, thank you for the classy comments. @Ryan, we did enjoy our Gator bowl. Thank You. We enjoyed the Sugar and Fiesta aswell. Now see what we can do with JJ blocking for us up front.

Posted by: krissy Location: beckley on Feb 6, 2008 at 08:22 PM
i think josh made a great call

Posted by: Jim Location: Beaufort, SC on Feb 6, 2008 at 08:21 PM
Reading some of these responses reminds me of why I have always loved to see the Buckeyes lose. Thankfully, Josh is smarter than these posters. He knows it is talent that gets you ahead, not the school.

Posted by: Chris Location: Morgantown on Feb 6, 2008 at 07:13 PM
Awesome choice Josh! Congrats on your decision. Welcome to the nation! www.mountaineernation.net

Posted by: Ryan Location: Columbus on Feb 6, 2008 at 06:05 PM
Enjoy playing in the Gator Bowl the next few years!!

Posted by: Mark Location: Cincinnati on Feb 6, 2008 at 05:54 PM
I'm a huge Buckeye backer and I want to say congrats to both Josh and WVU. The OSU faithful was disappointed to miss out on Josh, but he made a great choice by staying loyal to his home state school. To top it all off, tossing the 'M' hat was classic! Best of luck Josh!

Posted by: WVUBoxergirl Location: Smithfield, PA on Feb 6, 2008 at 04:02 PM
God bless you, and GOD bless the Mountaineers. You will not be disappointed and We, as a Mountaineer nation, will be forever blessed....Loved the podium announcement this AM. You are AWESOME! Can we fast-forward to August. I am soooo excited.

Posted by: Mark Location: Marietta, OH on Feb 6, 2008 at 03:59 PM
I think he made a great decision. Everyone in this area should be happy for him. As for the people who say he made a bad decision....it's HIS future, not yours, dummy. You just sit at home and watch the game, you don't play, so have a Coke and a smile. Also, you don't have to go to Michigan or OSU to "open doors", and at least this guy is loyal to his home state, unlike the two traitors, I mean, coaches.

Posted by: Bill Myers Location: Morgantown Wv on Feb 6, 2008 at 03:22 PM
Thanks Josh u won't be sorry. Glad to see that there are still loyal Mountaineers. God bless WVU and go to hell Rich Fraud hope never win another game

Posted by: Teri Location: Belpre on Feb 6, 2008 at 02:31 PM
Way to go, TRAVIS !!! We are so proud of you !

Posted by: Gene Location: St. Clairsville, Oh on Feb 6, 2008 at 01:42 PM
JJ, thanks for reprensenting the state of WV and playing for WVU. "opening doors" ? The whole state of WV is open for you!

Posted by: Jeremy Location: Parkersburg on Feb 6, 2008 at 01:12 PM
Whats this stuff about small market school and no future with WVU, so now you have to go to OSU or MICH to be in the NFL? does anyone remember Randy Moss? he played for Marshall and where was he playing last Sunday!! Marc Bulger (RAMS) from WVU, if you have talent you can go anywhere and make it, schools like Ohio State need to have all the best players in the Country or they whine!! and still get beat, no it looks like JJ believes in his talent and he could play at Marietta College and still go as far as he wants, great choice!

Posted by: Mrs. B Location: Waverly on Feb 6, 2008 at 01:12 PM
Thank you, Josh. You will never regret becoming a Mountaineer! God Bless You.

Posted by: Joe Location: Waverly on Feb 6, 2008 at 12:49 PM
DUMB,VERY,VERY,DUMB.I GUESS YOU JUST WANT TO PLAY FOOTBALL,INSTEAD OF HAVING A CAREER!GOOD LUCK GETTING INTO THE NFL WHEN IT'S TIME,YOU'RE GOING TO NEED IT GOING TO A SMALL MARKET LIKE WVWHO.

Posted by: Garrett on Feb 6, 2008 at 12:35 PM
JJ, Great joke with the Michigan hat! Glad to hear you will be a Mountaineer!!! WVU fans everywhere look forward to seeing you play in gold and blue!

Posted by: Marc Location: St.Marys on Feb 6, 2008 at 12:34 PM
Too Bad,He had a chance to play for a REAL football power (U of M). Now he's stuck at WVU.

Posted by: Parrothead Location: Marietta on Feb 6, 2008 at 12:13 PM
Josh, Good luck but I think you made the wrong choice. Ohio State would have opened many more doors for you in the future.

Posted by: rick Location: charleston on Feb 6, 2008 at 11:33 AM
Hey Josh, I am the Army Recruiter that you met in SA AA Bowl. Congrats!! Send me an e-mail sometime. I'd like to chat.

Posted by: Roiger Location: Chester, VA on Feb 6, 2008 at 11:17 AM
Welcome to the Mountaineer Nation! Cant wait to see you in the Gold & Blue!!! www.mountaineermagic.com

Posted by: Tara & Liz Location: Parkersburg on Feb 6, 2008 at 11:17 AM
Congratulations TBunz! Good Luck at Fairmont!!!

Posted by: Elizabeth Location: Belpre on Feb 6, 2008 at 11:12 AM
Congrats!!!! You will look great in BLUE-N-GOLD!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by: ROGER@BELINDA HESCHT, JEREMY AND RACHAEL on Feb 6, 2008 at 11:01 AM
GOOD LUCK TO YOU JOSH

Posted by: Mikey Location: Parkersburg on Feb 6, 2008 at 10:35 AM
Great choice! You are a true Mountaineer JJ!!! Good Luck in your football career!

Posted by: Where are we eating tonight? Location: Parkersburg on Feb 6, 2008 at 10:30 AM
Congratulations You made the right choice. We knew you were a loyal Mountaineer. Expect to see great things happen for you.

Posted by: Kelly Location: Parkersburg on Feb 6, 2008 at 10:29 AM
Thank you Josh! Congrats to you and Good Luck... GO MOUNTAINEERS!!!!

Posted by: ME Location: MARITTA O on Feb 6, 2008 at 10:01 AM
GOD bLESS YOU JOSH. YOU MADE A GOOD CHOICE.YOU MADE A W.VA FAN VERY HAPPY