The West Virginia Football coaching staff has released the depth chart for the upcoming game against the University of Tennessee Volunteers this Saturday (September 1st) at 3:30 pm est.
There has been some changes in the two-deep from the first depth chart they released just before Big XII media days, and there is still a couple of spots that hasn’t named a starter.
Marcus Simms gets the start at wide receiver after initially being behind David Sills. TJ Simmons was in that starting X receiver spot over the summer. Simmons is now behind David Sills at the Z position.
Offensive Lineman Chase Behrndt was listed behind left guard Josh Sills. Now, transfer Michael Brown has moved behind Sills, while Behrndt slid behind left tackle Colt McKivitz.
Two spots along the line still does not have a starter. It’s been a healthy competition among the guards and center and it may take a game or two before they have their starter. Center Matt Jones started last season, but Jacob Buccigrossi was listed as the starter over the summer and they still haven’t decided who that guy will be.
Right guard Isaiah Hardy was named the starter over the summer with Zach Davis behind him. It looks likes Joe Brown has made his way to the top along with Hardy.
Receiver William Crest Jr moved up behind Gary Jennings at the slot passing Druw Bowen.
The two defensive linemen transfers Kenny Bigelow (USC) and Jabril Robinson (Clemson) are both named the starters along the front. Bigelow at nose tackle and Robinson at defensive end. Both Still Brothers, Dante and Darius, have made the two-deep. Darius is backing up Kenny and Dante Kenny.
Ezekiel Rose and Reese Donahue are listed as the starter for defensive end. Coming into the season there was a lot of talk on the depth along the defensive line. Now there looks to be plenty of depth up front.
Here’s how the two-deep appeared in July:
DE Ezekiel Rose/Jabril Robinson
NT Darius Stills/Kenny Bigelow
DE Reese Donahue/Jeffery Pooler
Cornerback Derrek Pitts had the starting role over the summer, but is now listed with Josh Norwood. Coaches have been raving about Norwood and defensive Coordinator Tony Gibson has made it clear that he will be among the 11 best players on the field.
Current Depth Chart:
Offense
| Position | First | Second | Third |
|---|---|---|---|
| WR (X) | Marcus Simms | Dominique Maiden | |
| TE (H) | Trevon Wesco | Jovani Haskins | |
| LT | Yodny Cajuste | Kelby Wickline | |
| LG | Josh Sills | Michael Brown | |
| C | Matt Jones or Jacob Buccigrossi | ||
| RG | Joe Brown or Isaiah Hardy | ||
| RT | Colton McKivitz | Chase Behrndt | |
| WR (Y) | Gary Jennings Jr. | William Crest Jr. | |
| WR (Z) | David Sills V | T.J. Simmons | |
| QB | Will Grier | Jack Allison | Trey Lowe III |
| FB | Logan Thimons | Elijah Drummond | |
| RB | Kennedy McKoy or Martell Pettaway or Alec Sinkfield or Leddie Brown |
Defense
| Position | First | Second | Third |
|---|---|---|---|
| DE | Ezekiel Rose or Reese Donahue | ||
| NT | Kenny Bigelow Jr. | Darius Stills | |
| DE | Jabril Robinson | Dante Stills | |
| SAM | Charlie Benton | Shea Campbell | |
| MIKE | Dylan Tonkery | Adam Hensley | |
| WILL | David Long Jr. | Josh Chandler | |
| LCB | Hakeem Bailey | Keith Washington | |
| FS | Kenny Robinson Jr. | Sean Mahone | |
| SPUR | Dravon Askew-Henry | Deamonte Lindsay | |
| BS | Toyous Avery Jr. | JoVanni Stewart | |
| RCB | Derrek Pitts Jr. or Josh Norwood |
Special Teams
| Position | First | Second | Third |
|---|---|---|---|
| K | Evan Staley | Luke Hogan | |
| P | Billy Kinney | Evan Staley | |
| LS | Rex Sunahara | Kyle Poland | |
| H | Billy Kinney | Luke Hogan | |
| KO | Evan Staley | Luke Hogan | |
| PR | Marcus Simms | David Sills V | |
| KOR | Marcus Simms | Gary Jennings Jr. |
