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Class Of 2026 3-Star DB Vincent Smith Commits To WVU

Originally posted on Heartland College Sports
By Brian McQuillen | Last updated Jul 10, 2025 4:42 PM ET

The West Virginia Mountaineers added to their 2026 recruiting class with three-star defensive back Vincent Smith.

Smith chose WVU over Purdue and Iowa, but also held offers from Kentucky and USC, per 247Sports.

Before choosing the Mountaineers, the Orland Park, Illinois native decommitted from Northern Illinois.

BREAKING: #WVU adds a commitment from DB Vincent Smith, who talks about his decision herehttps://t.co/luW9Q4RwV9
— Chris Anderson (@CMAnderson247) July 10, 2025

Listed at 6-foot-2, the newest Mountaineer is ranked as the 39th-best cornerback and 13th-best player in Illinois for the 2026 cycle.

Head coach Rich Rodriguez secured his third cornerback commitment of the class, alongside Emari Peterson and Simaj Hill.

“I really loved how they made a lot of the visit player-led,” Smith told 247Sports’ Allen Trieu. “So it was like getting a sneak peek how life would be for the next three or four years.”

In the interview, he said the facilities were “very good” and he liked how the coaches had a “great understanding for the game.”

Rodriguez returned to WVU for his second stint after leading the program from 2001-07. He was a four-time Big East Coach of the Year with the Mountaineers.

West Virginia went 6-7 in 2024 but returns several key players in 2025, including quarterback Nicco Marchiol and running back Jahiem White.

WVU will kick off the 2025 season at home against Robert Morris on Saturday, Aug. 30.

This article first appeared on Heartland College Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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