MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — West Virginia suddenly has a vacancy at No. 3 quarterback, meaning junior college newcomer David Isreal now looms as an insurance policy once-removed.
With junior Will Grier entrenched as the starter, the Mountaineers exited spring practice weighing Chris Chugunov and Cody Saunders for the backup role. Now that a career-endlng nerve injury removed Saunders from the equation, Isreal moves a rung closer to being needed.
During three of the past four seasons, West Virginia has used at least three quarterbacks, whether out of necessity or in mop-up action.
Isreal arrives in Morgantown with four years to play three. He’s coming off a debut season at Butler (Kan.) Community College where he simultaneously was electric and mistake-prone — his 1,841 passing yards and 13 touchdowns tempered by 12 interceptions and 10 fumbles.
West Virginia would prefer to redshirt him in 2017, and had he been the fourth-in-line QB, a purely developmental season would have been almost a certainty. As the No. 3 quarterback, he must be prepared.
Coincidentally, it was this time last year when unforeseen events handed Isreal an expedited chance to run his junior college offense. Colton Howell, preparing to begin his sophomore year as Butler’s quarterback, signed an 11th-hour scholarship with Northern Iowa in July, and Isreal became a starter earlier than expected.
Butler coach Tim Schaffner attributed the turnovers to Isreal trying to replicate the “Superman” role he played at Blythewood High School in South Carolina.
“It was him being an 18-year-old freshman thrust into a tough situation,” Schaffner said. “David wanted to come in and compete, but it was not until late July when he realized ‘Dang, this is going to happen,’ that he had a great shot at being the starter, not just playing some.
“At times he was relying on the same skill set that got him through high school. Trying to fit balls into windows that disappear more quickly as you move up in levels. Thinking that his legs or his arms can overcome anything.”
Those mistakes didn’t scare off Memphis and SMU from recruiting Isreal, who was an academic qualifier, making him free to leave for a four-year program at any time without having to complete his associate’s degree.
“Once David started playing at a pretty high level, we got ahead of the curve and figured he be a one-and-done here,” Schaffner said. “When we have qualifiers on campus, we’re really upfront with him, saying if there’s a market for you, we’ll do everything we can to help you go.
“That’s why guys in that situation are coming to us, because they do have the grades, but maybe they were overlooked or couldn’t find the right needs coming out of high school.”
Within days of West Virginia extending the first Power 5 offer in April, Schaffner said the interest from other FBS teams spiked.
“The strength of his arm is probably the thing that jumps off the film for most coaches,” Schaffner said. “And then he has a lot of mobility. He doesn’t always necessarily look to run the ball because he does like to throw it, but what he can do that stresses defenses is extend the plays. Once the quarterback gets outside the pocket, you don’t know if he’s going to run or pass — it’s kind of the scramble drill, and he throws the ball really well on the run.”