WVU FOOTBALL OFFERS OVERLOOKED 2027 LINEBACKER FROM PITTSBURGH AFTER IMPRESSIVE EFFORT AT 7-ON-7
Morgantown, WV — In a surprise move that has caught the attention of high school football circles across the Mid-Atlantic, the West Virginia Mountaineers extended a scholarship offer to 2027 linebacker Jaylen “Jet” Montgomery, a relatively unknown prospect out of Pittsburgh’s West Mifflin High School. The offer came shortly after Montgomery put on a jaw-dropping performance during a regional 7-on-7 tournament held in Wheeling, WV, where he showcased elite instincts, sideline-to-sideline speed, and vocal leadership that turned heads of college scouts and coaches alike.
Montgomery, listed at 6’1”, 205 pounds, had been flying under the radar with little media coverage and no Power Five offers entering the summer. That changed quickly during the highly competitive 7-on-7 showcase, where the rising junior anchored a gritty defense that shut down several nationally ranked offenses. He racked up five pass deflections, two interceptions, and even returned one for a touchdown — not to mention barking out defensive adjustments and rallying his teammates like a seasoned veteran.
WVU linebackers coach Jeff Koonz was in attendance and reportedly walked straight to Montgomery’s coach after the final game to request contact info. Within 24 hours, the Mountaineers officially extended an offer — Montgomery’s first from a major FBS program.
“Jaylen’s performance was eye-opening,” Koonz said in a brief statement. “He’s raw, no doubt, but he has that natural football IQ you can’t coach. He processes plays at a high level and has the physical tools to be special. We believe in getting ahead on guys who haven’t had their moment yet.”
The Mountaineers’ early offer signals a growing trend of identifying high-ceiling prospects earlier in their development, and Montgomery fits the mold perfectly. With offers expected to follow from Pitt, Penn State, and Cincinnati in the coming weeks, WVU may have positioned itself as the early favorite to land the Pittsburgh standout.
Montgomery, for his part, was floored by the offer.
“I couldn’t believe it at first,” he said in an interview after receiving the call. “I’ve been working in silence, just grinding, and praying for an opportunity like this. West Virginia believed in me before anybody else did. That means something.”
His coach at West Mifflin, Marcus Leake, echoed the sentiment, calling Montgomery one of the most underrated players he’s ever coached.
“Jaylen’s got that fire, man. He’s always in the film room, first in the gym, last off the field. Coaches overlook guys sometimes because they don’t go to certain camps or play at the biggest schools. But talent finds a way to shine.”
Montgomery is expected to visit Morgantown for a game this fall, and sources say the WVU staff is already working on building a strong relationship with him and his family. While it’s early in the recruiting process for 2027 prospects, West Virginia’s proactive approach could pay dividends.
As for Montgomery, he’s staying grounded.
“I still feel like I’ve got a lot to prove,” he said. “The offer’s amazing, but I want to show everybody that I’m just getting started.”
The Mountaineers may have just found a future star — and they got in before the rest of the college football world caught on.
