Miami has jumped early on a familiar football name. Noel Devine Jr., the eighth-grade son of former West Virginia star running back Noel Devine, announced his first scholarship offer from the Hurricanes over the weekend. He posted on X saying, "Extremely blessed to receive my first offer from the University of Miami."
Extremely blessed to receive my first offer from the university of Miami #AGTG pic.twitter.com/CKWKvF6T8R
— Noel Devine jr (@7Goes_stupid) September 7, 2025
West Virginia closely followed, making Miami’s offer the opening opener in what could be a long recruitment for the Class of 2030 prospect. Head coach Rich Rodriguez, who recruited Devine Sr. to Morgantown, is back at WVU with Devine Sr. on staff as an assistant RBs coach. Devine Sr. called it a "surreal moment," adding Rodriguez had never offered an eighth-grader before.
Surreal moment my son Noel received his 2nd offer. From my alma mater, where I now coach and from the same coach who offered me coming out of high school Coach Rich Rod! Proud is a understatement. First 8th grader coach ever offered! https://t.co/FbujkCwdGG
— Noel Devine (@noel_devine7) September 8, 2025
Devine Jr. is listed at 5-foot-8, 136 pounds and has been playing quarterback, running back and wide receiver. He posted recent stat lines of 3 TD passes and 143 yards through the air with 46 rushing yards and two scores in one game, and 164 passing yards, 2 TD plus 100 rushing yards, 2 TD in another. He also clocked an 11.30 in the 100 meters at an AAU Region 10 qualifier to earn a Junior Olympic berth this summer.
Devine Sr. remains one of WVU's most electric players of the 21st century. At West Virginia from 2007–10, Devine piled up 4,315 career rushing yards (third in WVU history and fourth in Big East history), 29 rushing TDs, and 98 receptions for 710 yards — part of 5,761 all-purpose yards that made him the program’s all-purpose leader when he graduated (he now ranks No. 2 behind Tavon Austin). He earned All-Big East honors in 2008 and 2009, was inducted into the WVU Sports Hall of Fame (2021), and in January returned to Morgantown as an offensive analyst/assistant running backs coach on Rodriguez’s staff.
While it's probably safe to assume WVU is the leader in the clubhouse, Miami being the first offer is certainly a win for the Hurricanes and may have got them some points in that regard. Who knows... maybe it will pay off for them one day down the line.