WVU quarterbacks: Can any of the current contenders win eight games?

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Today completes the eight-day video series providing a position-by-position examination of where the West Virginia football team stands after spring practice.

We scoured the two-deep and scrutinized the roster for any and all contributors as the Mountaineers turn their offseason attention to the 2014 opener against Alabama.

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THE LINEUP
Tue., April 15
 Defensive line: Can no-name group hold the front?
Wed., April 16
 Linebackers: Will they be nasty or negligible?
Thur., April 17
 Secondary: Trying to reverse two dreadful years of pass defense
Fri., April 18
 Special teams: Aiming to be really special in 2014?
Mon., April 21
 Offensive line: Are the Mountaineers vulnerable up front?
Tue., April 22
 Receivers: Can they get their swagger back?
Wed., April 23
 Running backs: Is this the best unit in the Big 12?
Thur., April 24
 Quarterbacks: Can any of the current QBs win eight games?

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Junior college transfer Skyler Howard endured a bumpy month of spring practice at West Virginia.

 

Projected starter: Without taking snap during spring practice, Clint Trickett (6-2, 175, redshirt senior) managed to extend his lead in the quarterback battle. That’s because none of the other contenders showed enough consistency or playmaking ability in his absence.

Trickett started seven games in 2013, a season hampered by a shoulder injury that required postseason surgery, a concussion suffered against Texas and communication problems that prevented Dana Holgorsen’s uptempo attack from gaining traction. He wound up completing only 52.8 percent of his passes—lowest among last season’s three QBs—some of which was attributed to Trickett attempting far more downfield throws. That flat touchdown-to-interception ratio (he had seven of each) needs to improve dramatically next fall.

Backups: Though the post-spring depth chart lists three quarterbacks in the No. 2 spot, Paul Millard (6-2, 230, senior) would be the guy behind Trickett. He showed some spark out the bullpen last season, throwing for 259 yards in three quarters of action during a 47-40 overtime loss to Texas. Millard’s lack of arm strength doesn’t create downfield concerns for secondaries and he’s an easy target for pass rushers, yet he’s clearly the best of the backups.

Skyler Howard (6-0, 200, sophomore) may evolve into a capable Division I quarterback but his spring struggles revealed the junior college transfer has miles to go. At least he exhibited better decision-making in the Gold-Blue game, spotting checkdown receivers as opposed to bogging down plays when the pocket collapsed.

Former walk-on Logan Moore (5-11, 198, redshirt senior) made enough plays to become a legitimate backup candidate, though anything beyond a wildcat-type usage in the fall would be shocking.

True freshman William Crest will likely become the most talented quarterback on the roster upon arriving this summer, but he’ll require time—perhaps an entire redshirt season—to develop.

Watch the video at the top of the page for player highlights and to learn how Allan Taylor and Justin Hoff grade the quarterbacks after spring practice.







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