Late offer leads Life Christian LB Gene Townsel to West Virginia
SOUTH CHESTERFIELD, Va. (BVM) – Gene Townsel had his destination set for months heading into the early national signing day period. A key member of the Life Christian Academy Eagles defense, the senior linebacker verbally committed to FCS institution Campbell University in September, where he would join fellow LCA players Akim Sledge and Deshaun Williams as part of the 2022 class. However, a last-second opportunity was presented to Townsel by the West Virginia Mountaineers when they offered him a preferred walk-on opportunity on Dec. 15 and it swung enough to commit to the program just two days later.
“It feels amazing,” Townsel said. “It’s amazing to be able to commit to a program like that. It felt like home. I love the campus. I love what’s going on. [The coaches] keep grades on point and I like the staff. It’s an amazing school.”
Committed💙🖤 #almostheaven pic.twitter.com/eZeB28ywgt
— Gene Townsel (@9gocrzy1) December 17, 2021
Besides Campbell, the 5-foot-11, 210-pound linebacker/defensive back hybrid also held offers from Buffalo, Central Michigan, Eastern Michigan, Liberty and Maryland, among others. Ultimately, it was a last-minute push by the Mountaineers coaching staff and an extended visit to the campus with some other recruits that made the difference for Townsel.
“It went great, I really learned a lot about the school,” Townsel said. “They gave me more details and broke down the position groups. We talked a lot and they made me feel really comfortable.”
I am blessed to receive an opportunity to continue my academic and athletic career at WVU💛💙 pic.twitter.com/Ws3aqutsRa
— Gene Townsel (@9gocrzy1) December 15, 2021
This was not the first time Townsel made the journey to the campus in Morgantown. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic shutting down on-campus visits, Townsel got to experience the WVU program during a trip in early February 2020. The day stuck in the recruit’s memory as he waited to hear back from the program in the future.
“It felt like home,” Townsel said. “It was a blast and went great.”
Townsel has proven himself to be an elite linebacker in one of the tougher leagues in the country, the Virginia Independent Schools Athletic Association. As both a sophomore and senior, Townsel was named first team all-state in the Division I class in 2019 and 2021 (there was no all-state team in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic). This put Townsel in some elite company alongside some other highly ranked recruits like St. Christopher’s School wide receiver and UNC commit Andre Greene Jr. and Benedictine College Preparatory defensive lineman and Michigan commit Joel Starlings.
“I could honestly say that I am really blessed to be in this position,” Townsel said. “I’m excited and nervous because people have told me about the speed of the game being so much faster. But overall I’d say I’m pretty excited.”
The senior will arrive in Morgantown in the fall and will look to find his role on the team. Though he played and was recognized mostly for his work from the linebacker position, being only 210 pounds means that Townsel would either need to bulk up to play his natural spot on the defense or make a move to safety, one position he’s played before during his time on the Eagles. While it depends on his development with the Mountaineers program, Townsel is prepared to take on any task that is asked of him whether that’s gaining weight or learning a new role.
“I don’t know exactly where I’ll line up, I assume it’s in the hybrid role or safety, but I still need to earn my scholarship and I plan to prepare myself,” Townsel said. “I want to get bigger, faster and stronger to get ready for college and play as a freshman.”
As a preferred walk-on, Townsel knows he has to prove himself to the coaching staff that he belongs. However, he feels that will only fuel him more come the preseason and he will push himself as hard as possible to make playing at his dream school a reality.
“It gives me a chip on my shoulder,” Townsel said. “I know I’m good enough to play anywhere. [The walk-on opportunity] makes me want to go harder. I want to blow [the coaches] out of the water.”
While the wait was a long one, it was well worth it for Townsel. Now, the senior linebacker will get his opportunity to prove himself at the Division I level as he prepares to join WVU. With his proven abilities against top level opponents, Mountaineers’ fans should expect big things from Townsel in the future.
