BREAKING: No. 1 American Player Dylan Gooden from Colorado Announces Commitment to WVU Due to Deep Family Ties and Love for Morgantown
In a stunning and emotional twist on the 2025 college football recruiting trail, Dylan Gooden, the No. 1-ranked American high school football player and a generational five-star talent from Cherry Creek High School in Colorado, has officially committed to West Virginia University (WVU). The announcement came during a nationally televised ceremony at his high school gym, where Gooden stunned analysts by picking up the gold and blue Mountaineers cap—bypassing powerhouse offers from Alabama, Georgia, Texas, and Michigan.
The 6-foot-5, 230-pound edge rusher is considered the most dominant defensive player in the 2025 class, boasting elite speed, power, and a rare football IQ that has drawn comparisons to Von Miller and Micah Parsons. But for Gooden, the decision went far beyond football.
“This is about family, legacy, and heart,” Gooden said while fighting back tears. “My grandfather was born in Beckley, West Virginia. He used to tell me stories about the Mountaineers, and every summer we visited Morgantown. It just feels like home.”
According to sources close to the recruitment, WVU head coach Neal Brown and new defensive coordinator Jamar Cain played pivotal roles in building a personal, long-term relationship with Gooden. The program’s plan to make him the centerpiece of a revitalized defense, combined with strong NIL support and an authentic cultural fit, sealed the deal.
“I don’t need a big-name logo on my chest,” Gooden added. “I need a place that believes in me. And West Virginia believes in me like family.”
WVU fans erupted across social media, hailing the commitment as a turning point for the program. The Mountaineers now hold one of the top defensive recruiting classes in the nation, and Gooden is expected to make an immediate impact in 2025.
Morgantown just got a whole lot louder.
