DeAndre Reaves has been enamored with West Virginia University since making a trip to the Morgantown campus as part of a school-based program in his freshman year.

At 5 feet 10 inches and 175 pounds, the rising senior running back at Dominion High School has enjoyed watching smallish backs Steve Slaton, now with the Houston Texans, and Noel Devine rack up yardage in the Mountaineers’ spread offense in recent years.

Reaves, a game-breaker with elite speed, will have an opportunity to play in that same offense after verbally accepting a scholarship offer to play football at West Virginia, beginning in 2011.

“I like the campus. I like the coaches. I fit well into their offensive scheme,” said Reaves, who has averaged more than 1,000 rushing yards and double-digit touchdowns in his first three seasons at Dominion.

“They typically like the smaller guys like myself and not the bigger guys. That’s just another plus ... it makes me feel comfortable about them being able to utilize my talent.”

Also holding scholarship offers from Maryland, Marshall and Fordham, Reaves originally planned to wait until his senior season to commit but changed his mind after another visit to West Virginia earlier this month. The Mountaineers are members of the Division I Big East Conference. 

“I felt like I already had my mind made up so there was no point of sitting around waiting when you can just get it over with and get an early start on the process,” said Reaves, who can sign his letter of intent in Feb. 2011. “It lets pressure off my shoulders so I can focus more on my grades.”

Reaves also plays defensive back and is a kick/punt returner for the Titans. West Virginia recruited him as an athlete and will most likely use him at running back or slot back on offense.

Before moving on to Morgantown, Reaves is looking forward to his senior season at Dominion. The Titans won a program-best four games in 2009 and are aiming for a playoff berth in 2010. Dominion opens the season at home versus Loudoun Valley on Aug. 27.

“I just want to leave with a bang and help take my team to the playoffs or even the championship if we are fortunate enough to do so,” he said. “I just want to have the best season possible in my senior year.”