MORGANTOWN IS famous for its last calls.

This weekend, though, the last call is not for alcohol. Instead, it's the last opportunity for West Virginia coaches to drop 2009 football recruits into the Mountaineer game-day atmosphere.

It should be a heck of an opportunity. All the buzz this week has been about sending stellar quarterback Pat White out in style. A "Whiteout.'' Senior Night has been called. A rowdy night crowd in the cold should do anything but suit a South Florida team.

And the skinny from Morgantown? Three recruits will be on official visits to take it all in.

D.J. Hunter, a cornerback from Middletown, Ohio, will be there after initially committing to Tennessee. That, of course, was before Phil Fulmer was axed.

Hunter has been tagged a four-star recruit by Rivals.com (which Thursday also called him a "solid" UT commitment) and a three-star prospect by Scout.com.

Brandan Bishop, a 6-foot-1 safety from Boca Raton, Fla., will also be in town. He's not as highly regarded (neither service rated him), but has offers from North Carolina State and Pittsburgh, among others.

Then there's Ka'lial Glaud, a three-star linebacker, according to Scout.com. He's from Winslow (N.J.) Township and has a nice smattering of offers from schools like Tennessee, Boston College, Iowa, etc.

The visits feather into the new recruiting direction WVU's coaches are taking. In case you don't follow recruiting day and night (please say you don't), the Mountaineers are loaded with offensive commitments.

Of the 17 commitments, head coach Bill Stewart has the word of six offensive linemen, three wide receivers, a pair of running backs and quarterback Eugene Smith.

On the other side, there's but three defensive backs (not counting junior college safety Arthur Render, which one service incorrectly lists), two linebackers and a defensive tackle committed.

That said, WVU coaches are still hoping to land such offensive standouts as lightning-fast Tavon Austin, a 5-7, 170-pound back from Baltimore; offensive guard/center Henry Orelus of Belle Glade, Fla., who is sort-of committed to Florida State; and huge tackle Morgan Moses of Richmond, Va.

While on the subject of football, I called West Virginia athletic director Ed Pastilong Thursday and asked if it's possible the Mountaineers' bowl destination could be decided after his school's game Saturday night.

Louisville and Rutgers played Thursday night. Pitt and Connecticut play at noon Saturday. WVU and South Florida play at 8 p.m. Saturday. Nothing else should matter.

MORGANTOWN IS famous for its last calls.

This weekend, though, the last call is not for alcohol. Instead, it's the last opportunity for West Virginia coaches to drop 2009 football recruits into the Mountaineer game-day atmosphere.

It should be a heck of an opportunity. All the buzz this week has been about sending stellar quarterback Pat White out in style. A "Whiteout.'' Senior Night has been called. A rowdy night crowd in the cold should do anything but suit a South Florida team.

And the skinny from Morgantown? Three recruits will be on official visits to take it all in.

D.J. Hunter, a cornerback from Middletown, Ohio, will be there after initially committing to Tennessee. That, of course, was before Phil Fulmer was axed.

Hunter has been tagged a four-star recruit by Rivals.com (which Thursday also called him a "solid" UT commitment) and a three-star prospect by Scout.com.

Brandan Bishop, a 6-foot-1 safety from Boca Raton, Fla., will also be in town. He's not as highly regarded (neither service rated him), but has offers from North Carolina State and Pittsburgh, among others.

Then there's Ka'lial Glaud, a three-star linebacker, according to Scout.com. He's from Winslow (N.J.) Township and has a nice smattering of offers from schools like Tennessee, Boston College, Iowa, etc.

The visits feather into the new recruiting direction WVU's coaches are taking. In case you don't follow recruiting day and night (please say you don't), the Mountaineers are loaded with offensive commitments.

Of the 17 commitments, head coach Bill Stewart has the word of six offensive linemen, three wide receivers, a pair of running backs and quarterback Eugene Smith.

On the other side, there's but three defensive backs (not counting junior college safety Arthur Render, which one service incorrectly lists), two linebackers and a defensive tackle committed.

That said, WVU coaches are still hoping to land such offensive standouts as lightning-fast Tavon Austin, a 5-7, 170-pound back from Baltimore; offensive guard/center Henry Orelus of Belle Glade, Fla., who is sort-of committed to Florida State; and huge tackle Morgan Moses of Richmond, Va.

While on the subject of football, I called West Virginia athletic director Ed Pastilong Thursday and asked if it's possible the Mountaineers' bowl destination could be decided after his school's game Saturday night.

Louisville and Rutgers played Thursday night. Pitt and Connecticut play at noon Saturday. WVU and South Florida play at 8 p.m. Saturday. Nothing else should matter.

"I think things will unravel on Sunday," Pastilong said. "I don't think [a bowl will extend a bid on Saturday night]. My guess is we'll be able to assume, but no one will be standing there.''

The AD wouldn't say, but it's looking more and more like Charlotte's Meineke Car Care Bowl for the Mountaineers.

And finally . . .

If you've read this far into the column, you'll be rewarded.

By a fresh piece of hoops news.

As you may know, two WVU basketball commitments are playing for Mountain State Academy in Beckley.

The early thumbnail is Turkish transplant Deniz Kilicli, who turned down offers from UCLA, Texas, Kentucky, etc., to commit to the Mountaineers, has had a comeuppance of sorts.

"He got exposed a little against Oak Hill [Academy],'' said MSA coach Rob Fulford. "But those guys are very quick. He got a dose of reality, but he's going to be a very good player.''

Kilicli, though, apparently fared very well (18 points, 10 rebounds) against Pitt recruit and National Christian Academy standout Dante Taylor. Also, Poca native Noah Cottrill is scoring in the 30s sometimes, according to Fulford, having to carry MSA too much because of team injuries.

Ah, but there's help on the way. When MSA visits Charleston on Dec. 19 for the Hoops Classic and Jan. 26 to take on George Washington High, you'll see a new face.

Fulford said 6-5 shooting guard Hamala Keita from France joins the team on Dec. 12. He hails from the same high school as San Antonio Spurs standout Tony Parker. And Keita's brother, Mathis, plays professionally.

Those in the know say Keita's highlight tape is impressive.

We, though, can check it out ourselves in a couple weeks.

Reach Mitch Vingle at 348-4827 or mitchvin...@wvgazette.com.