OL recruit Brown caps WVU pick by burning couch

"West Virginia and coach Rich Rodriguez secured a massive commitment in the 2026 class Tuesday from four-star offensive tackle Kevin Brown, who will land as the Mountaineers' highest-ranked signee in at least 15 years. Brown, No. 78 in the 2026 SCNEXT 300, is a 6-foot-5, 265-pound prospect from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. He previously spent more than a year committed to Penn State's incoming recruiting class before reopening his process following the firing of coach James Franklin last month."

"Brown, the son of former West Virginia offensive lineman Tim Brown, announced his pledge to the Mountaineers over finalists Ohio State and North Carolina on "The Pat McAfee Show" on ESPN. He then commemorated the moment on-air by setting a couch on fire outside his family's home in a nod to one of the school's most cherished and controversial traditions. Brown is the first SCNEXT 300 pledge in West Virginia's 2026 class, which includes 28 high school commits in the late stages of the program's full recruiting cycle since Rodriguez returned last December."

"When Brown signs during the early signing period from Dec. 3-5, he'll arrive as West Virginia's highest-ranked addition since eventual three-time all-conference quarterback Geno Smith joined the program in the 2009 class. Brown, a multi-sport athlete with potential to earn early playing next fall, initially committed to the in-state Nittany Lions in July 2024. He stood as Penn State's second-ranked 2026 pledge when Franklin was fired in his 12th with the program on Oct. 12, and Brown remained publicly committed to the Nittany Lions until this past Sunday."

Kevin Brown, a 6-foot-5, 265-pound four-star offensive tackle from Harrisburg, committed to West Virginia and coach Rich Rodriguez for the 2026 class. Brown is No. 78 in the 2026 SCNEXT 300 and previously spent more than a year committed to Penn State before reopening his recruitment after James Franklin's firing. Brown announced his pledge on "The Pat McAfee Show," celebrated by setting a couch on fire in reference to a school tradition, and will be West Virginia's highest-ranked signee in at least 15 years when he signs Dec. 3-5. He is a multi-sport athlete with early playing potential and is the son of former WVU lineman Tim Brown.

Read at ESPN.com