By Jeff Ermann

Special to EerSports.com

West Virginia's coaching staff added another piece to its impressive 2010 recruiting class this evening when linebacker Troy Gloster of Good Counsel High School in Olney, Md., accepted the Mountaineers' scholarship offer. Gloster, a 5-foot-11, 225-pound senior rated the No. 31 outside linebacker in the nation by ESPN.com/Scouts Inc, chose WVU over offers from Michigan, Michigan State, Stanford, North Carolina and Syracuse, among others, he told EerSports.com.

Minnesota, Lousiville, Boston College, Iowa and Wisconsin also had tendered scholarship offers, but in the end, his relationship with WVU defensive coordinator Jeff Casteel won over Gloster, who called EerSports.com with the breaking news this evening.

"They were one of the first schools to offer me and I always felt like I liked them, but the biggest factor was my relationship with coach Casteel. I just felt very comfortable with him," said Gloster. "That was definitely one of the biggest reasons."

Gloser recorded 60 tackles and nine sacks as a junior at Good Counsel, which is a member of the prestigious Washington Catholic Athletic Conference and one of Maryland's top producers of Division I football recruits. He runs a 4.65-second 40-yard dash and has a powerful frame that would seem to dictate a move to middle linebacker in college. He's also an excellent student and has good bloodlines; his older brother, Drew Gloster, is a former blue-chip recruit at Good Counsel who plays linebacker for Maryland.

Gloster was favoring Stanford after a trip out West this summer, but his heart always told him that WVU was the place for him.

"Early on, Stanford was definitely my favorite. Of course, the academic and everything, it was a great opportunity, but deep down my heart was always with West Virginia."

Gloster, who's team is off to a 4-0 start, said the thing college recruiters like most about him was that he has a non-stop motor and plays until the end of every play. Casteel has a flexible plan for him.

"He said I'll start out at the WILL, which is a weakside linebacker kind of like the position I play now in high school. But as I gradually grow, I may move inside," Gloster said.

Gloster is the 16th high school senior known to have committed to WVU and the third linebacker, joining John Propst of Hoover, Ala., and Davion Rogers of Warren, OH. He plans to major in something business-related at WVU and already has a few friends there.

"I have a couple of classmates from Good Counsel who went to West Virginia, so I'll already know a few people when I get there. It seems like a great place to be, with a lot of great people," he said.

Here's ESPN.com/Scouts, Inc's evluation of Gloster: "Gloster is a hard-nosed linebacker prospect with good toughness and short-area tools. Lacks ideal height but is very thickly-built and explosive throughout his lower-body. Plays outside in his high school scheme but we feel he projects better as an inside 'backer at the college level. At his best filling downhill and attacking vertically. Displays very strong hand and shedding technique. Strikes blockers at the point of attack and rips through with superior strength and physicality. At times his lack of quick diagnosing skills can get him sealed off, but he recovers and gets off blocks quickly. Has longer, strong arms. Shows he can slip blocks as well pursuing laterally and effectively mirrors the ball carrier with good short-area change-of-direction skill. Flashes better-than-adequate range turning to chase down backs sideline-to-sideline."

"Plays faster than his 40 time would indicate between the white lines; lack of great speed is often masked by his high motor and better-than-adequate pursuit angles. His experience playing defensive end shows in his good timing and ability to attack half the body as a outside blitzer. However, he does show some difficulty bending flat when attacking off the edge. Overall, has some stiffness in his hips changing direction without wasted motion and breaking down sharply in space. Can lunge as a tackler. "

"Better supporting the run downhill but we do have some concerns about his ability to get off bigger blockers if employed in the middle. Lacks great lateral quicks and fluidity to beat blockers consistently to the point of attack between the tackles. Tends to open up his whole body to the cutoff block but can recover and disengage smaller high school blockers. Coverage skills may be better in a middle hook area than matched up on quicker slots. Overall, Gloster brings good versatility to the table. Could potentially play on the inside where he should be very productive with his good short-area range and tools; as a situational strong side 'backer he has the ability to walk up and effectively play on the line. Non-flashy but a very tough, productive linebacker with a good nose for the football. Should develop into a solid BCS starter."

Troy Gloster ESPN.com Highlight Video

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