In an exciting announcement, SirPaul Cheeks, arguably possessing one of the most memorable names in football, has committed to joining the West Virginia Mountaineers. Just think about it—Cheeks, who earned the nickname “Jesus in Cleats” for his on-field exploits, is gearing up to lend his talents to the Big 12 powerhouse.
Hailing from Varina High School in Henrico County, Virginia, Cheeks stands at 5-foot-9, weighs 185 pounds, and has earned a three-star rating from 247 Sports. Ranked as the No. 41 running back prospect in the 2026 class, he had his pick of the litter with over a dozen offers, including from schools such as Minnesota, Kentucky, and Pittsburgh, among others. Ultimately, Cheeks chose to bring his dynamic style of play to Morgantown.
On the field, Cheeks has shown versatility by playing multiple positions—running back, wide receiver, defensive back, and even joining the special teams return squad. It’s this versatility that’s likely to make him a key asset to the Mountaineers’ traditionally ground-heavy offensive scheme.
The upcoming season holds a lot of promise for West Virginia, who start their 2025 campaign against the Robert Morris Colonials and then hit the road to face the Ohio Bobcats. It will be a fresh chapter for the team, which recently parted ways with head coach Neal Brown after a six-year tenure.
For SirPaul Cheeks, aligning with West Virginia makes perfect sense. The Mountaineers’ ground game is already formidable, with last season’s leaders Jahiem White, CJ Donaldson, and QB Garrett Greene each surpassing 700 rushing yards. White notched up 844 yards, Donaldson followed closely with 734 yards and 11 touchdowns, while Greene also contributed impressively with 734 yards and six scores. Adding Cheeks to this mix promises to elevate the Mountaineers’ rushing attack to new heights.
As fans await the start of the season, there’s palpable excitement around how Cheeks will complement an already dynamic backfield. His commitment is indicative of the Mountaineers’ strategic focus on amplifying their running game, making them a team to watch in the upcoming Big 12 season.
