MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – After a nine-month slumber, football is only a week away.
From an entirely new coaching staff to multiple players, West Virginia will look dramatically different than it did the last time it took the field in Orlando last December. Here is an estimation of what the Mountaineers depth chart will look like when the ball is kicked off against James Madison next Saturday:
OFFENSE
Quarterback
Jr. Austin Kendall
Jr. Jack Allison
R-Fr. Trey Lowe
Kendall was named the starter last week, finally winning the job with a week left in training camp. It will be the first career start for the graduate transfer from Oklahoma, who has spent three years buried behind Baker Mayfield and Kyler Murray.
Though he’s technically a third-stringer, there’s a chance Lowe gets on the field before Allison. The dual-threat offers a different skill set than either Kendall or Allison and may be inserted in certain specialty packages.
Neal Brown said transfer Jarret Doege will not play early in the season despite earning an NCAA waiver for immediate eligibility.
Running back
Sr. Kennedy McKoy
Sr. Martell Pettaway
So. Alec Sinkfield
So. Leddie Brown
Consider it a mild surprise if any of these guys goes without a touch against James Madison. Both McKoy and Sinkfield have been practicing in the slot, so there will be multiple situations in which two tailbacks are on the field.
Neal Brown said McKoy is WVU’s top option out of the backfield, but he’s got full trust in the players behind him as well.
Wide receiver
Jr. T.J. Simmons
R-Fr. Sam James
So. Sean Ryan
R-Fr. Bryce Wheaton
Sr. George Campbell
R-Fr. Randy Fields
The coaching staff has plenty of confidence in the tandem of Simmons and James. Behind that, there’s plenty of questions.
The arrival of Ryan and Campbell may answer some of them. Behind Simmons, they have the most game-experience amongst West Virginia’s outside receivers. Both are also taller than 6-3, which is nice.
Slot
So. Isaiah Esdale
Jr. Tevin Bush
Fr. Winston Wright
Bush has shown off his talent at WVU, but was rarely mentioned by coaches in preseason camp as Esdale’s stock has elevated.
Simmons will be moved into the slot often, not to mention McKoy and Sinkfield. This position will have many different looks.
Tight End
R-Fr. Mike O’Laughlin
R-Fr. TJ Banks
Jr. Jovani Haskins
Banks and Haskins were non-contact participants for most of training camp, which temporarily elevates O’Laughlin to the top spot. There’s no word yet on whether Haskins will be punished for a trio of pending misdemeanor charges, but he figures to elevate to the top spot as soon as he’s fully able.
Offensive Line
Right Tackle
Sr. Kelby Wickline
So. John Hughes
Right Guard
So. John Hughes
Jr. Josh Sills
Center
Jr. Josh Sills
So. Adam Stilley
Left guard
Jr. Mike Brown
Sr. Chase Behrndt
Left tackle
Sr. Colton McKivitz
R-Fr. Junior Ubezu
It’s known that Wickline, Sills, Brown and McKivitz will all start in some form. It could very well take the first game or two for the fifth spot to solidify.
DEFENSE
Defensive End
So. Taijh Alston
Jr. Jeffrey Pooler
Sr. Reuben Jones
Nose Tackle
Jr. Darius Stills
Sr. Brenon Thrift
Fr. Jordan Jefferson
Defensive Tackle
Sr. Reese Donahue
So. Dante Stills
Sr. Reuben Jones
The stated goal is to have no defensive lineman play more than 40 snaps, though based on his strong camp performance that could be easier said than done with Darius Stills.
Jones, the graduate transfer from Michigan, isn’t a starter yet, but he’s arguably the most versatile player in the group and has the ability to play all three spots if necessary.
Bandit
Sr. Quondarius Qualls
Jr. Zach Sandwisch
Sr. Adam Hensley
This group will try to hold down the fort for the first four games until Alabama transfer VanDarius Cowan returns from an NCAA-mandated suspension. Keep an eye on true freshman Jared Bartlett, who should steal some snaps in Cowan’s absence.
Middle Linebacker
Jr. Dylan Tonkery
So. Jake Abbott
Sr. Shea Campbell
The official position of West Virginia born-and-bred players. Tonkery is coming back from a groin injury that cut last season short.
Will Linebacker
So. Josh Chandler
Sr. Deamonte Lindsay
So. Exree Loe
Defensive coordinator Vic Koenning calls Chandler “the next guy-guy,” which seems like Koenningese for “star player.” No one is replacing David Long’s production, but Chandler will probably be the team’s leader in tackles.
Spear
Sr. JoVanni Stewart
R-Fr. Kwantel Raines
Jr. Dante Bonamico
Three very different players allow Koenning to get creative at this unique position, which can call for dropping in coverage, supporting the run or blitzing the quarterback.
Free Safety
Sr. Josh Norwood
Fr. Tykee Smith
Fr. Kerry Martin
Cat Safety
Jr. Sean Mahone
Jr. Jake Long
So. Noah Guzman
Safety is the most susceptible position on the roster following the spring departure of Kenny Robinson and Derrek Pitts. It will truly take a team effort for a group without much collegiate playing experience at the position.
Cornerback
Sr. Hakeem Bailey
Sr. Keith Washington
Fr. Nicktroy Fortune
Fr. Tae Mayo
Jr. Dreshun Miller
Sr. Devan Wade
True freshmen Fortune and Mayo will be on the field a lot this year. Miller, the highly-rated junior college transfer, should be a regular presence in the rotation when he’s fully recovered from an injury that limited him in camp.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Kicker
Jr. Evan Staley
Punter/Holder
Sr. Josh Growden
Punt Returner
Alec Sinkfield
Kickoff Returner
Keith Washington
Sam James
The late arrival of Growden from LSU should give the Mountaineers two of the better specialists in the Big 12. With the inexperience on offense, field position could well be a deciding factor in more than one game.
The return game was still undecided late in camp, so that position may be subject to change early in the season.