For Cabell Midland's Cole Bowers, the choice was easy. A lifelong passion for the Gold and Blue, the gaudy 2009 commitment list and the new coaching staff's tenacious recruiting prompted the raw 6-foot-5, 280-pound rising senior's verbal pledge to West Virginia on April 22.

At Milan Puskar Stadium's March 15 Junior Day, head coach Bill Stewart personally extended a scholarship offer to Bowers, who instantly moved his favorite team to the top of his college choices. All it took was the April 19 Gold-Blue scrimmage visit for the offensive tackle prospect to grasp his childhood ambition: wearing the Flying WV helmet on fall Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays.

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