Holgorsen on freshman WR racing into starting role: ‘He’s made enough plays’

West Virginia receiver Jovon Durante practices kick returns during preseason practice in Morgantown, W.Va.

 

COMMENTARY

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Jovon Durante is in line to start Saturday’s season opener, becoming the first West Virginia true freshman receiver to do so since … well, we’re still researching that one.

Tavon Austin and Daikiel Shorts were Week 2 starters in 2009 and 2013, respectively. During 2012, Jordan Thompson cracked the lineup in Week 4. Stedman Bailey and Chris Henry were redshirts in their first seasons. Recent draft picks Kevin White and Mario Alford were disqualified from this conversation because they were junior-college arrivals two years ago. Nonetheless, neither started his first WVU game.

So, to the obvious point: This is rare.

And Durante, based upon a few preseason looks, appears to showcase rare talent.

Watching teams practice non-contract kick returns is typically a yawner, except when this kid bursts through the gap. He’s springy, like the deer that jut across Van Voorhis Road. We expected him to help out on special teams—returning kicks being among the simpler tasks for a college newcomer. But absorbing enough of the offense to start from Day 1, that puts him ahead of the curve.

“He’s made enough plays and he knows what to do out there,” Dana Holgorsen said Monday.

What specifics lifted the Miramar High recruit to the top of the depth chart at the Z outside receiver?

”His route-running ability, and he does have outstanding speed,” Holgorsen said. “His hand-eye coordination and his ball skills are really good.”

With several practices wedged between now and the Georgia Southern game Saturday night, Holgorsen reserved the right to make lineup changes. But he said third-year sophomore Shelton Gibson had won the job opposite Durante at X receiver.

In the only other position battle of note, Michigan transfer Kyle Bosch had pulled ahead of spring-game starter Tony Matteo at right guard. This seemed a possibility ever since May, when the NCAA granted Bosch immediately eligibility in Morgantown.

An inevitability of college football, we knew this season would mean new blood for the Mountaineers offense. Intriguing, isn’t it, that we’re seeing it rise so soon.