West Virginia defensive backs coach David Lockwood made quite an impression on coveted corner back recruit Cullen Christian of Pittsburgh, Pa., so much so that Christian said that Lockwood’s coaching ability impressed him the most during his official visit to WVU this past weekend.
“I think he might be the best cornerback coach in the country,” Christian told EerSports.com on Monday night. “He’s the real deal. I was with him most of the time I was there.
“The visit went real good. I had fun. I enjoyed my time out there,” said Christian. “I learned that their team is real family-like. I know a lot of people say that, but to me, it’s a real family feel up there.”
Christian said he spoke with Lockwood about earning early playing time and getting to the NFL. Lockwood is known for coaching up former Mountaineer cornerback Ellis Lankster, who after a year under Lockwood’s tutelage was drafted by the Buffalo Bills.
Christian owns many scholarship offers, but his five finalists are WVU, Ohio State, UCLA, Pitt and Michigan, in no particular order. ESPN Scouts Inc ranked Christian the No. 18 overall corner back for the 2010 recruiting class and evaluated him with a 79 scouts grade.
WVU defeated UConn on Saturday with Christian looking on, alongside several other football recruits. Christian stayed in Morgantown through Sunday on his official visit.
Besides Lockwood, Christian said WVU head coach Bill Stewart talked with him during the visit, mostly about a stable, family atmosphere he would find if he ends up at WVU. “I talked to him for a good amount of time with my family. Everybody on the team is brothers, for real.”
Penn Hills teammate Chris Washington, also a senior, joined Christian over the weekend. Washington plays safety alongside Christian, but has yet to be offered by WVU. Christian said that may change once Washington sends some highlight tapes out to schools.
Linebacker J.T. Thomas served as player host for Christian, during his visit. Christian said he also met and talked with corner back Brandon Hogan, receiver Wes Lyons, linebacker Anthony Leonard and safety Sidney Glover.
The absolute must-have priority for Christian to select a school boils down to his specific position coach. “West Virginia, they have one of the best, so they fit really well,” said Christian.
UCLA and WVU are the only two schools that Christian has taken official visits to so far this fall. Making a decision is getting harder after taking official visits, Christian said. At this time, he is unsure of which school may have a lead for him. “Honestly, I have no clue.”
An announcement from Christian about his commitment is expected to come on Nov. 24. Before that, he has three more official visits set up -- Pittsburgh, on Nov. 7, Ohio State on Nov. 14 and Michigan, finally, on Nov. 21.
NOTE: Get the scoop on Cullen Christian and everything else related to Mountaineers football and basketball recruiting right now on the WVU Recruiting Message Board!
Cullen Christian ESPN.Com Recruiting Video
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