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The Charleston Gazette Wrote:WVU recruit Kerns qualifies academically
By Dave Hickman
Staff writer
July 11, 2008

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.

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 grade point average.

Kerns, a 6-foot-1, 225-pound power running back, 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, 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 (304) 348-1734 or dphickman1@aol.com.