West Virginia atop OT Josh Ball's list, visit to Maryland on the horizon

Stafford Senior High School offensive lineman Josh Ball attended the University of Maryland prospect camp on June 1, leaving with his first scholarship offer from what he calls a "big school." Ball's offer from Maryland would not be his last from that kind of program.

Since June 1, the 2016 prospect received offers from Virginia, North Carolina State, Duke, Wake Forest and West Virginia, the last of which he says is "probably" at the top of his list. Ball, a rising junior, knows there is still plenty of time before he needs to make a decision.

"I am keeping my options open," Ball said. "I am not aiming at one school because I still have two years [of high school left]. I could very well change my mind about any other school."

Ball rounded off his top three schools with Virginia and Duke, both of which he has had the chance to visit and participate in a prospect camp. He says he has enjoyed visiting each of the different schools but it was his trip to West Virginia's campus that stood out to him.

"The coaches are all really great people," Ball said of West Virginia. "I love the facilities and love the campus.... [When they offered me,] I was at a loss of words. It is one of my favorite schools and it was just unbelievable. I can't describe the feeling."

Ball and his family agreed that playing close to home was important to them. With his extended family living in West Virginia and Pennsylvania and his immediate family residing in Virginia, Ball's list of offers put his in good position to stay near his family.

The 6'6", 305-pound offensive lineman says Maryland did not crack his top three, as of now, because he has yet to get the full Terrapin experience.

"I really liked [their camp]," Ball said of Maryland. "I really liked their offensive line coach-coach [Studrawa]-he's a good coach. I liked [the other] coaches too, I just really haven't gotten to see around campus and that's the only thing I'd like to see."

The Fredericksburg, Va., native says he plans to return to Maryland in the near future to have a chance to see the entire school. Whether a look at Maryland's entire campus would put the Terps in contention for Ball is unclear.

Ball remained adamant about his love for West Virginia, not just because of the experience he had while visiting there, but also the love he received in return from the Mountaineers' Offensive Line Coach Ron Crook and Assistant Coach Lonnie Galloway.

"They've tried to bring me in, definitely get me around [the campus] a little bit more and get me familiar with the place and everything," Ball said.