COMMENTARY
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Sunday is Fan Day at West Virginia, and it’s typically a fun day. Legions of autograph-seekers filling the indoor facility to find players spread out over 100, err 90, yards and signing until their hands gnarl up with Sharpie cramps.
Mountaineer Nation loves the preseason meet-and-greet, and why not, it’s their day. But the 90-minute limit requires fans to be economical and savvy. When the lines grow Disneyland-long in front of Rushel Shell, Karl Joseph and Skyler Howard, consider meandering over to these lesser-sung players and putting yourself ahead of the curve:
Xavier Preston (linebacker): According to Dana Holgorsen, the sophomore is “raising hell out there” at practice, and his path to a starting is blocked only by the three seniors playing linebacker ahead of him. Still, the kid has major upside for the next three years and you’ll earn major street cred for giving him a prominent spot on your team-signed football. Right next to the laces.
Chris Chugunov (quarterback): Be prepared to specify whether you wish him to sign “Chugs” or “Chuggernaut.” And be prepared for him to be WVU’s starter in 2017.
Jovon Durante (receiver): OK, even casual fans have heard about this freshman’s fabulous speed, so he’s not exactly a hidden gem. But the thing you might not have heard is how intensely WVU’s defensive coaches are talking him up. Tony Gibson described Durante leaping to catch a ball in traffic this week and changing direction the instant his foot touched the ground. “I’ve never seen a kid do that.” And then safeties coach Joe DeForest raved, “Whenever he’s out there, he can take the top off the roof.”
John DePalma (long snapper): He’s a 6-foot-6 finance major with a stratospheric GPA and Captain America looks, so have him watch your phone to see if he can do this:
SR Long Snapper @REYREYHIG18 showing off some impressive skills #ELEVATE @espn @ESPNCFB @American_FB pic.twitter.com/RWqYUFHCa1
— Tulsa Football (@TulsaFootball) August 14, 2015
Daryl Worley (cornerback): Make sure to get his signature because he might not be here in 2016. A strong season propels him atop the list of West Virginia’s early-draft candidates.
Jordan Thompson (receiver): Squirt’s still the shortest dude on the team at 5-foot-7. Still looks adorable in a pic next to your toddler.
Michael Ferns (fullback): Welcome the Michigan transfer to Morgantown, and try not to pressure him about recruiting his four-star little brother to WVU. (Unless you sense that it might work, in which case start trashing Penn State.)
Justin Arndt (linebacker): Ask him with a straight face, “Arndt you the kid from Martinsburg?” He loves that. So does his brother Darren.
Vernon Davis Jr. (receiver): In my estimation, he’s going to win the punt-return job, and he’s going to do it with sure-handed aplomb. So when the crowd goes ape after a simple-looking fair catch against Georgia Southern, you can show the guy next to you where Vernon scribbled on your T-shirt.
Michael Burchett (quarterbacks coach): He could be the next Jake Spavital or Lincoln Riley, though he currently looks more like a freshman about to ask you “Where is FallFest?”
Ka’Raun White (receiver): Who would’ve guessed before Saturday that he would make more catches this season than his big brother?
It all starts at 2:30 p.m. Have fun.