Charlie Hanafin Commits to West Virginia: A Ground-Floor Gamble with High-Upside Potential
When Charlie Hanafin showed up to West Virginia’s camp this past summer, he wasn’t exactly a headline name. In fact, he was mostly known as the brother of a former Clemson commit. But by the end of the day, he had flipped the script - and earned himself a scholarship offer in the most definitive way possible: by winning the final rep of the day in front of the full coaching staff.
Now, the 6-foot-2, 189-pound wide receiver out of Dexter Southfield in Brookline, Massachusetts, is officially a Mountaineer. Hanafin committed to West Virginia on June 20, 2025, choosing the program over other interest, including Boston College.
For Hanafin, the decision wasn’t just about football - it was about belief. “I want to get in on the ground floor of what Coach Rodriquez is rebuilding here,” he said.
“I believe in him and he made it clear he believes in me. He's the type of man you'd run through a brick wall for.”
That kind of buy-in matters, especially for a program looking to reestablish its identity under Coach Rodriquez. And Hanafin’s path to Morgantown fits the mold of a player who’s ready to earn everything. He wasn’t a top-ranked recruit coming in - a three-star with an 85 rating, slotted as the No. 230 wide receiver in the class - but he made his mark the old-fashioned way: by showing out when it mattered most.
At WVU’s camp, Hanafin quickly went from “just a name” to “the name.” He tested well, moved smoothly through drills, and then took over the one-on-one sessions.
When it came time for the coaches to call for “good on good” - the best-on-best reps that often separate the prospects from the players - the competition was tight. After ten reps, the receivers and defensive backs were deadlocked.
For the tiebreaker, assistant coaches Ryan Garrett and Travis Trickett pointed to Hanafin.
He didn’t just win the rep. He made the best play of the day.
That moment - in front of the staff, in a high-pressure situation - sealed it. It was the kind of performance that turns a camp invite into a scholarship offer and, ultimately, into a commitment.
Hanafin’s game is still developing, but the foundation is there: size, athleticism, and a competitive edge that shows up when the lights are on. He’s not walking into Morgantown with five-star hype, but he’s bringing something just as valuable - a chip on his shoulder and a willingness to grind.
West Virginia sees him as a piece of the bigger rebuild puzzle, and Hanafin sees the program as a place where he can grow with it. That kind of mutual investment can go a long way.
For now, he’s a name to file away - not just because of what he’s done, but because of what he might become.