Interview: 2018 Tennessee 3-Star QB Trey Lowe Talks West Virginia Commitment

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG

As an offensive player, when West Virginia head coach Dana Holgorsen and staff start recruiting you, you pay attention. Since Holgorsen busted onto the national scene with Texas Tech (2000-07) as an offensive coordinator then bringing the names of quarterbacks Graham Harrell and Cody Hodges as well as receiver Michael Crabtree into college football prominence, he has secured his reputation as an offensive wizard through stints with Houston (2008-09), Oklahoma State (2010), and with West Virginia (2011-present). When the scholarship offer came through for Woodrow “Trey” Lowe from the Mountaineers, Trey did what any talented quarterback would do, he listened and did his research. After one week of being a silent commit, Lowe announced on Tuesday, July 11, that he is the next in a long line of talented gunslingers ready to execute a powerful Holgorsen offense.

Time will tell if Lowe is the next Case Keenum, Brandon Weeden, Clint Trickett, or Geno Smith caliber of talent to rise-up from within Holgorsen’s system, but all the variables are there. Lowe is a grizzled high school veteran in the pocket having started at the varsity level since his freshman season. Since 2014, Lowe has helped Central High School (Bolivar) become a feared opponent going from a 6-5 squad in 2015 to an 8-3 unit in 2016. During his junior season, Lowe completed 61 percent of his passes connecting on 20 touchdown tosses covering 1,601 yards.

West Virginia was not the only Power Five Conference or Division-I program seeking his emerging skillset. With 15 reported offers on the table, North Carolina, Houston, Arkansas State, Army, Charlotte, Coastal Carolina, South Alabama, Ohio, Southern Miss, Alcorn State, Georgia Southern, Navy, Memphis, and Illinois were among the many hoping to land him as part of their 2018 recruiting class. The 6-4, 200 pound, signal caller has a quick release, can throw on the run, release the ball at different arm angles, and works through his progressions willing to take the short pass for a gain over forcing a long bomb into coverage with hopes of a highlight reel play. Displaying great speed against Tennessee 3A competition, WVU could use Lowe’s mobility in the pocket to move the chains with his feet as needed against Big 12 competition.

After a busy summer that included camps at Ole Miss and North Carolina as well as an unofficial visit to Houston, Lowe narrowed his list of schools to one, West Virginia. In a Recruiting News Guru stylized interview, I sat down with the three-star rated talent to see how the Mountaineers gained his verbal commitment.

Interview

Trey, congratulations on your commitment to West Virginia.

“Thank you.”

Let’s set the scene leading up to your commitment. You camped at UNC and Ole Miss and had a planned visit to Houston last we spoke, did you visit any other schools or camp anywhere else this summer?

“No sir.”

Did you go to Houston?

“Yes, sir. I did.”

How did the trip go?

“It went well. A QB (Chance Amie) committed a couple of days after my visit.”

WVU was one of the schools that came by to see you this spring. How much did that interaction help lead you towards committing to the Mountaineers?

“When Coach (Jake) Spavital (offensive coordinator) came by this spring and saw me throw, he knew he wanted me right then. I called him afterwards, and he offered me (May 17). That played a huge role in it.”

Another thing you mentioned during our last interview were the keys to your commitment: “academics, atmosphere of the campus and program, and the coaching staff.” How does WVU fit all of those needs for you?

“West Virginia fits all of them. They will let me play football and baseball (outfield) too, that is a big thing for me.”

WVU fits all your categories wanted, tell me how their scheme drew you in leading to your commitment.

“They have a really explosive offense. They run a lot of RPOs (run/pass option) and Coach Spavital is a great quarterback coach and offensive coordinator. He’s had a lot of experience coaching dual-sport athletes. Coach Holgorsen has a great coaching resume and I really liked the Mountaineers legacy and the direction of the program.”

How did the commitment take place?

“I called Coach Holgorsen and Coach Spavital. When I told them, they were fire up about it. They were excited to have me. They really wanted me. I want to be there.”

You announced on Tuesday, but is that when you actually verbally committed?

“No, sir. I called them a week ago.”

What was it like knowing for a week that you were committed to WVU without the rest of the football world knowing?

“It was great. I really like WVU. I think I will be able to contribute well to their offense.”

How did you feel at that moment when you verbally committed?

(Laughs) “I was more excited but a little nervous.”

Did you play with them about the commitment or were you straight forward?

“I was straight forward.”

Do you still plan to take your visits during your senior season?

“I will probably just take my official to WVU.”

Have you set a date for your official with the Mountaineers yet?

“No, sir.”

When did you take your unofficial to Morgantown?

“Not too long ago – in early June.”

Obviously, you liked what you saw but looking back, what did you think of the campus and facilities?

“The campus is really unique. They have a unique atmosphere there. The facilities are really nice – top notch. West Virginia is a really nice place.”

Do you plan on recruiting other players to join you?

“Oh yeah. I worked on it yesterday.”

How are you going to pitch the other players to join you?

“I tell them about how I was in the same boat. This is a long process, choose what is best for you, but we’d love to have you at WVU. WVU is a great place.”

What are your thoughts on getting to play in the Big 12?

“The Big 12 is a great conference, a big-time conference. The QBs in the Big 12 go to the next level.”

Is there a Big 12 team that you are already excited to play against when your time comes?

“Probably Texas. That’d be cool to play against Texas in Austin. They are a big-time school. I’d love to go in there and beat them.”

Last question. What did you do to celebrate your commitment?

“We went out to eat.”

Nice. Trey, thanks for your time today and, again, congratulations on your commitment to West Virginia.

“Thank you.”

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Photo credits: Lowe family; Trey Lowe at West Virginia (June 2017)