MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Fifteen practices are scheduled for the WVU football team over five weeks and for the most part, the schedule is pretty routine. Doug Nester has one date on his calendar that stands out and it has nothing to do with donning his No. 72 jersey.
The Spring Valley High School graduate is set to be married on April 8, taking advantage of a gap in the practice schedule over Easter weekend. Nester says his fiancee, a teacher, has taken charge of all the arrangements.
“She has been doing it while I am up here. She has been planning the wedding,” Nester said.
Nester is entering his fifth season of college football. He played two years at Virginia Tech before transferring to WVU in 2021. In November, Nester walked with his family on Senior Day ceremonies prior to the Kansas State game. But he elected to return for an additional season of eligibility after conversations with his coaches.
“I just had to talk it over with my family, talk it over with the coaches and really just see what was the best option for me. Talking it out with them, it was just an easy decision that I should come back.
“This will be my fifth year of actually playing. I was to the point where I was almost done. It was a little bit of convincing.”
Nester played both tackle and guard at Virginia Tech but he has been used almost exclusively at guard since arriving at WVU. This spring however, Nester has been working outside at right tackle. Head coach Neal Brown says the move is part of a continual effort to get the best five offensive linemen on the field.
“I just feel like it is more natural, not being inside and contained,” Nester said.
“Tackles in general, you are more on an island. It is more of you versus the other man in front of you. At guard, you are usually always on double teams or working with somebody. I just find it more enjoyable to go against another man one-on-one.”
Nester, Zach Frazier and Wyatt Milum are three multi-year starters returning to the offensive line. That position group is the most experienced unit on the Mountaineer roster.
“We talk about a lot just how we have to come in an be the leaders of this offense because we all have that experience. We have to bring it every day because the team is going to rely on us.
“There’s a lot of different components to O-line work. Just knowing how on each play, whether it is inside zone, outside zone how the person next to you like to block it or how they will move is very important.”
If Nester remains at right tackle when the season begins, both tackle spots will be held by Spring Valley graduates. Wyatt Milum is firmly established as the team’s left tackle.
“I think he developing into a really great player. Each and every day I can see him getting better and better. We watch film with each other all the time and hang out with each other all the time. On the field, I think he is improving so much. I think it is incredible.”