Opinion
Asti: WVU Football Storylines to Keep an Eye on During Fall Camp
Fall camp signals the beginning of a new season for the WVU football program. And even though the quarterback position is solidified entering camp for the firs time in a years, there are still plenty of important storylines to keep an eye on over the next few weeks and into the season.
How Does Garrett Greene Look?
There’s no doubt that Garrett Greene is WVU’s QB1 and the Mountaineers will only go as far as he’ll take them. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t questions surrounding Greene’s progression.
It was said throughout the spring session that Greene needs to greatly improve his accuracy for West Virginia to contend for a Big 12 title. Despite showing explosiveness, both as a passer and runner, Greene finished the 2023 season with a pedestrian 52.9 completion percentage. Both head coach Neal Brown and quarterbacks coach Tyler Allen vocalized wanting him more around 60%, while Greene placed the lofty goal of reaching 65% on himself.
Greene has also endured an offseason full of polarizing comments from media all over the country. Some believe he’s underrated and some argue WVU fans overrate him. However, it’s now time for the talking to stop and the work Greene has put in to be evident with games on the horizon.
Is Garrett Greene Being Overlooked Nationally or Are WVU Fans Missing His Flaws?
Another Weapon to Acclimate
Aside from Greene’s development, there are two main reasons why the WVU offense can take another step forward in 2024. First, Brown and his staff were able to retain most of Greene’s key weapons. But second, and just as essential, West Virginia was also able to add new pieces. Jaden Bray was apart of the spring and has spent some time getting to know his teammates, the plays and the campus. But on the other hand, Justin Robinson didn’t transfer in until June.
Fall camp will be the first time Robinson, who has potential to be a big playmaker, will get a full taste of what it’s like to be a Mountaineer.
Will Secondary Avoid Being a Weakness
No matter how the offense performs, if the defense struggles, the team as a whole will be in trouble. And for most people, the secondary stands out as a weakness.
This was the case one year too, but Beanie Bishop ended up becoming a consensus All-American. Can either Garnett Hollis or Jaheem Joseph duplicate Bishop’s success as a transfer defensive back? Will Aubrey Burks be better or worse as his role becomes adjusted? Who else will step up?
Asti: WVU Defense Relying on Garnett Hollis to be Next Beanie Bishop
Linebacker Depth
Key injuries and struggling to recruit top linebacker talent almost collided to create a disaster for the Mountaineers last season. Lee Kpogba took charge of the unit and Ben Cutter played as well as could be expected, but the group has been retooled a bit since then.
Kpogba is gone, but WVU brought in a former four-star prospect Reid Carrico and also expects big things from a healthy Trey Lathan and Josiah Trotter.
Will CJ Donaldson Return to Form?
CJ Donaldson has been able to fly under the radar most of the offseason, but that’s going to change very soon. He’s high on a short list of Mountaineers facing pressure to perform in 2024.
After emerging as a freshman sensation in 2022, Donaldson endured more of a roller coaster ride during the 2023 season. While he did finish with 798 yards and 11 touchdowns, the then sophomore running back also struggled mightily at times.
Some will defend Donaldson’s tough stretch – he posted averages of 3.2, 2.8 and 3.0 yards per carry in three consecutive weeks – with arguments about the defense stacking the box against him. And while that’s true and those arguments have validity, WVU was expecting far more from Donaldson, who entered last season as West Virginia’s top back, something that’s no longer the case. As Neal Brown said at the time, to be a true top back, you have to overcome the defense scheming against you.
Which 2023 Freshman Will Take Another Step in 2024?
In addition to proving doubters wrong, the 2023 West Virginia Mountaineers season will be remembered for the emergence of talented freshman, most notably Jahiem White and Traylon Ray.
Can White transition from freshman sensation to one of the best running backs in the entire country? At least one national outlet believes that’s a very real possibility. PFF has White ranked as the highest graded running back in the Big 12. White has a 89.1 grade, just a bit behind Texas Tech’s Tahj Brooks at 90.1.
After starting the season behind Donaldson, White eventually emerged as West Virginia’s leading rusher. White’s first big game came against BYU, running for 146 yards on only 16 carries. He then really caught everyone’s attention (including a former NFL MVP) after putting up monster numbers in a win over Cincinnati. White averaged 9.7 yards per touch, totaling 204 yards on the ground and then another 75 yards receiving.
White should be even better with a college season under his belt, but he won’t be able to surprise anyone anymore. If White does live up the hype, the Mountaineer offense should be more potent than it’s been in years.
As for Ray, he stood out despite spending most of the previous offseason in the shadow of Rodney Gallagher as far as 2023 recruits. Ray quickly became a favorite target of Greene and showed off his ability to take the top off any defense. It’s safe to assume Greene will look to find Ray more in the beginning of the season this year and that could unlock tons of untapped potential in the sophomore wide receiver.
Kelsie LeRose / WVSN
Ray caught 18 balls for 321 yards and scored three times before igniting fans with a 75-yard touchdown on the first play of the Duke’s Mayo Bowl.
First play. 7-0. 😏 pic.twitter.com/VNmeVwhzEv
— West Virginia Football (@WVUfootball) December 27, 2023
Where Will Rodney Gallagher See Playing Time?
Rodney Gallagher has a new number and possibly even a new position. Gallagher’s switch from No. 2 to No. 24 is fueled by his opportunity on defense. Brown hasn’t ruled out Gallagher still having an impact at receiver, but the Pennsylvania high school legend saw snaps at nickel during practice throughout the spring.
Due to WVU’s depth at receiver, it’s possible he could be used more as part of the secondary as that unit needs depth and Gallagher’s athletic ability makes him versatile enough for nickel to worth a shot.
“He’s pushing to be a starter at receiver and he’s a guy we want to get him the ball. He’s also a guy that could potentially, if he stays, could give us some snaps at nickel,” said head coach Neal Brown during one of his press conferences towards the end of spring.
In an effort clear up any confusion about Brown’s “if he stays” comment, Gallagher “two-way guy and no I’m not leaving” as his own response to the news.
Of course, these are just some of the storylines to watch and more will undoubtedly pop up each day.
For related stories, WV Sports Now broke down each WVU football game for the 2024 season and which transfer additions are poised for big years.
