The West Virginia Mountaineers are facing a shake-up in their 2026 recruiting class. Emari Peterson, a promising cornerback out of Evans High School in Orlando, Florida, has officially reopened his recruitment. The 6-foot, 185-pound defensive back announced his decommitment from West Virginia on Sunday evening, thanking the coaching staff and expressing gratitude for the opportunity.
Peterson originally committed to the Mountaineers in mid-June, choosing WVU over a long list of suitors that included programs like Kentucky, Georgia Tech, Illinois, Texas A&M, and even LSU. His offer sheet reflected just how much upside evaluators saw in his game. On the field this fall, Peterson backed up that attention with production-he posted 29 tackles, defended five passes, and snagged two interceptions during his season at Evans.
While losing a player of Peterson’s caliber is never ideal, West Virginia isn’t standing still. The coaching staff is already working the recruiting trail hard, and one name to watch is Virginia Tech commit Zaevion Cleveland. The talented corner was in Morgantown over the weekend for an official visit, and his presence alone suggests there could be movement on that front in the coming days.
Even with Peterson stepping away from the class, West Virginia’s 2026 group remains deep and balanced across the board. At quarterback, the Mountaineers have a duo in Jyron Hughley and Wyatt Brown, while the backfield features SirPaul Cheeks, Christopher Talley, and Martavious Boswell-three backs who bring different styles and skill sets to the table.
The receiving corps is stacked with length and speed, headlined by Robert Oliver, Malachi Thompson, Charlie Hanafin, Kedrick Triplett, and Landon Drumm. Tight ends Sam Hamilton and Kade Bush give the offense some versatility, while the offensive line is shaping up nicely with Kevin Brown, Lamarcus Dillard, Rhett Morris, Camden Goforth, and Aidan Woods anchoring the trenches.
Defensively, West Virginia has put together a front seven that’s built to compete. Edge rushers Noah Tishendorf, Carter Kessler, and Kamdon Gillespie bring pressure off the edge, while linebackers Antoine Sharp, Miles Khatri, Cam Dwyer, and Caleb Gordon offer range and physicality at the second level.
Even in the secondary-where Peterson’s departure leaves a hole-the Mountaineers still have a strong foundation. Corners Vincent Smith, Simaj Hill, and Makhi Boone are in the fold, and the safety group, featuring Emory Snyder, Rickey Giles, and Jayden Ballard, adds depth and athleticism.
Losing a commitment like Peterson’s will always sting a bit, especially when it comes from a talent-rich state like Florida. But recruiting is a fluid game, and West Virginia has clearly positioned itself to adapt. With other prospects already on their radar and visits continuing to roll in, this staff isn’t just reacting-they’re reloading.