Ivan McCartney could be the next prospect from Miramar to head to West Virginia.

Originally Published: October 13, 2009

Florida WR to visit WVU

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By Jeremy Curtis
EerSports.com
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Wide receiver Stedman Bailey and quarterback Geno Smith were two coveted prep stars from Miramar (Fla.) High School that signed as part of the distinguished 2009 recruiting class assembled by the West Virginia Mountaineer football staff. A former Miramar teammate of Bailey and Smith is being heavily recruited by the Mountaineers for 2010 -- wide receiver Ivan McCartney -- a 6-foot-1, 162 pound prized pass catcher.

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Monday night, EerSports.com caught up with McCartney and he explained just how hard WVU is coming after him. "On a scale of one to 10, I'll say 10," he said.

And the consideration is mutual from McCartney, who began to take notice of the Mountaineers by admiring former record-setting running back Steve Slaton and also from watching the team play last year.

"They're high," McCartney said. "I have a lot of interest in WVU.

"I like the offense they run, how they get their receivers the ball."

Along with WVU, finalists for McCartney are Florida, Miami (Fla.), Oregon and North Carolina. He visited Oregon back in September.

McCartney plans to find out much about the Mountaineers this Saturday, when he takes his official visit to Morgantown, for WVU's home date against Marshall. "I'll be there Saturday," he said, adding his mother is coming along for the visit.

WVU receivers coach Lonnie Galloway has spear-headed the pursuit of the talented wide receiver, whose Miramar team is off to a 5-0 start, behind two receiving touchdowns and two punt return touchdowns from McCartney.

ESPN Scouts Inc. ranked McCartney the No. 19 overall wide receiver prospect for the 2010 class and graded him with an 81. The site reported as a junior, McCartney caught 41 passes for 655 yards and 10 touchdowns. He is reportedly a cousin of Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Chad Ochocinco and is nicknamed "Stick."

South Florida, Ole Miss, Central Florida, Florida International, Boston College and Rutgers also recruited McCartney, who said he didn't remember exactly how many scholarship offers he has collected.

McCartney believes the way he carries himself on the football field is the chief reason WVU is seeking him. "I would say my swagger. They want me," he said.

McCartney said he talks with Bailey and Smith "every blue moon" saying they tell him "just that they need receivers."

Besides his visit to Morgantown, McCartney has a Nov. 28 official visit scheduled for Gainesville, Fla. when the Gators play host to Florida State. "I'm planning on taking two more [official visits]," McCartney said and added Miami (Fla.) and UNC are "in the mix."

February's national signing day is when McCartney said he will chose his college destination.

A look around at some of the best ESPN affiliate team sites have to offer today. Some of the following links may require a premium subscription to the ESPN affiliate site.

Alabama (www.crimsonconfidential.com)

An elite national receiver commits to Alabama.

What does the new addition to the 2010 class mean for the rest of Alabama's targets?

Florida (www.gatorcountry.com)

How did Florida's top targets fair this past Friday?

LSU Tigers (www.EyeontheTigers.com)

Several Louisiana prospects are still available

J.R. Ferguson's starting to schedule official visits

Maryland Terrapins (www.InsideMDSports.com)

DC prospect McReynolds continues to add offers.

Notre Dame Fighting Irish (www.irishsportsdaily.com)

A weekly look at where the Irish stand with their offered recruits.