MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Receiver Steven Smothers and offensive lineman Dontae Angus have left the West Virginia football team, while William Crest opted to remain with the program, a source told MetroNews on Monday.
Smothers, dubbed Tavon 2.0 coming out of Reisterstown, Md., was a Rivals three-star signee in 2016 who held offers from Alabama, Ohio State, Michigan and a number of Power 5 schools. He redshirted last season and ultimately missed spring practice while dealing with what coach Dana Holgorsen called academic issues.
Crest, the former four-star prospect who Rivals rated its No. 7 dual-threat quarterback in the class of 2014, announced plans to transfer in January. He sought a chance to play at the FCS level but the source said Crest rethought his decision and is now listed as a receiver on the WVU roster, with two years of eligibility remaining. He moved to safety last fall after previously working at multiple offensive positions.
Crest has four career catches for 29 yards.
Angus was a signing day surprise in 2014 out of Philadelphia, but the 6-foot-6, 330-pounder never cracked the rotation at nose guard or offensive tackle.
New transfer
The Mountaineers also have added Penn State transfer Brenon Thrift, a former Lackawanna College defensive lineman who joined the Nittany Lions last season but did not see action.
A 6-3, 290-pounder, Thrift announced he was leaving Penn State in January.