West Virginia’s football program suffered a significant recruiting loss this week as highly touted offensive lineman Eidan Buchanan decommitted from the Mountaineers and signed with North Carolina. The 2025 prospect, previously a key addition to West Virginia’s future offensive line, was granted a release from his national letter of intent on Tuesday evening.
Buchanan, a standout from Our Lady of Good Counsel in Olney, Maryland, originally chose West Virginia over a competitive field of programs, including Boston College, Miami, Michigan, Pitt, Maryland, and Virginia Tech, among others. His size (6-foot-9, 330 pounds) and skill set made him one of the most promising offensive linemen in the Mountaineers’ 2025 recruiting class.
His departure follows West Virginia’s coaching transition, which saw the program move on from head coach Neal Brown. Despite the uncertainty, Buchanan initially remained committed to the Mountaineers but opted to keep his recruiting options open leading up to the early signing period in December.
West Virginia’s previous recruiting staff, led by Trey Neyer and his team, worked diligently to maintain stability within the 2025 class despite the absence of a head coach. Their efforts helped retain the bulk of the recruiting commitments during the transition period.
Buchanan’s decision to join North Carolina represents a strategic move for both the player and the Tar Heels, who continue to bolster their offensive front with elite talent. His combination of size and athleticism gives him the potential to become a multi-year starter at the collegiate level.
For the Mountaineers, this loss highlights the ongoing challenges of recruiting in the midst of a coaching change. While West Virginia has retained several key commitments, the departure of a highly ranked lineman like Buchanan underscores the impact of staff transitions on player decisions.
North Carolina, under head coach Mack Brown, has consistently attracted high-caliber recruits, and securing Buchanan further strengthens their 2025 class. His addition adds valuable depth and competition to the Tar Heels’ offensive line unit.
West Virginia will now look to regroup and address this loss in future recruiting cycles. With National Signing Day still ahead, the program has an opportunity to find new talent to reinforce its offensive line for the seasons to come.