MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — During each of Dana Holgorsen’s six seasons at West Virginia, at least one true freshman has started a game.
It’s a streak built upon standouts (Karl Joseph), flame-outs (Travares Copeland) and unforeseen circumstances (Martell Pettaway). Those freshmen have been steady (Daikiel Shorts) and ready (Daryl Worley), to mobile (David Sills) and mercurial (Jovon Durante).
While no newcomers from this year’s recruiting class are among the Mountaineers’ projected starters, the two-deep set to drop this weekend may include some. With redshirting decisions being made and scout-teamers being relegated, here, in my own order of likelihood, are the true freshmen I anticipate seeing the field somewhere at sometime during 2017:
Derrek Pitts and Kenny Robinson: The most highly sought-after recruits in this class are working as backups behind free safety Dravon Askew-Henry and strong safety Toyous Avery, respectively. Both have been lauded for their physical gifts and chided for occasional preseason slip-ups. They’re agile and talented enough to make an impact on special teams.
Alec Sinkfield: He may be fourth or fifth on the depth chart, but Sinkfield’s burst and toughness has impressed offensive coaches. I’m told he made the most jaw-dropping run of the preseason during Saturday’s scrimmage, breaking the ankles of would-be tacklers with a series of cutbacks. If the backfield is too crowded for him to get meaningful carries, Sinkfield could make a splash in the return game.
Lamonte McDougle: Amid a four-way competition at nose guard, the 5-foot-10, 295-pounder could play his way into the rotation. The question at this stage becomes is he markedly better than Xavier Pegues, Jaleel Fields and Jalen Harvey — none of whom have redshirt years left.
Tevin Bush: Faces the same crowded-backfield scenario as Sinkfield, though Bush may be more versatile on quick screens from the slot. (Riddle of the day: If a 5-foot-6 running back catches a jet sweep, does a linebacker even see it?)
Reggie Roberson: His timetable for seeing action probably became expedited with Durante transferring and Marcus Simms facing suspension. Still, none of the outside receiver backups have generated much praise this preseason, foretelling the move of David Sills from slot.
Darius Stills: A sure-fire redshirt candidate entering camp, the Fairmont product seems more ready than expected and stands a chance to make the traveling squad at defensive end.