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July 12, 2008
WVU recruit cleared to enroll
Third time's the charm for running back Terence Kerns
Staff writer

MORGANTOWN - Terence Kerns still has to pass through the NCAA Clearinghouse, but it appears that he now has the right combination of grades and a standardized test score to enroll at West Virginia University.

West Virginia sources confirmed Friday that Kerns, a running back who has twice signed with the Mountaineers, received a test score that - combined with his most recent grade-point average - makes him eligible under NCAA guidelines. Kerns had been trying to raise both his test score and his GPA.

A 6-foot-1, 225-pound power running back, Kerns originally committed to West Virginia in 2006 and signed a letter of intent in February of 2007 after a career at Thomas Johnson High School in Maryland. He didn't qualify academically, so wound up in prep school at Hargrave Military Academy. He signed with WVU again this February, but until this week had not qualified academically.

Kerns is expected to challenge at least for a spot on the depth chart at running back right away. While the Mountaineers have several other recruits who can carry the ball, Noel Devine is the only scholarship player on the current roster slated to see time exclusively in the backfield. Devine's backup right now is slot receiver Jock Sanders.

While Kerns hopes to be in Morgantown for the start of preseason camp Aug. 1, Hawaiian offensive lineman Benji Kemoeatu will not. A late signee in the recruiting class, Kemoeatu also didn't qualify academically, which was not much of a surprise. West Virginia's coaches are trying to direct Kemoeatu to Mesa Community College, where former WVU offensive coordinator Mike Jacobs is the coach.

West Virginia has also lost Jerome Swinton, a high school cornerback from Florida who did not qualify. Chris Palmer, a defensive lineman who had recent shoulder surgery, is likely to be a January enrollee. Kicker Tyler Bitancurt could also delay his enrollment until January, but his arrival in August hasn't been completely ruled out.

One other significant recruit remains a question mark. Defensive end Tevita Finau is taking summer school classes in Arizona in an effort to graduate in time to report for camp in August. His status isn't likely to be known until camp begins or even later.

Reach Dave Hickman at 348-1734 or dphickm...@aol.com.

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This could be huge for WVU's future! WVU desperately needed a change of pace, smash mouth bigger back with Schmitt gone. The loss of the freshman CB from Miami, Swinton I think will really hurt though.

Posted By: vince (1:35pm 07-16-2008)
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chess vs. football. I'm teaching my 5 year old chess and he plays soccer for exercise. Let's see how his success in life compares to football players in 20 years.

Posted By: chess? (9:50am 07-14-2008)
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Great news about Kerns. Hopefully he can take some of the hard knocks for Devine and Rodgers this year.

Posted By: dmancino (3:59pm 07-13-2008)
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The chess team has its own set of problems, mainly recruiting violations. It all started with free pocket protectors and just got worse from there.

Posted By: mikey G (9:26am 07-13-2008)
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