WVU Football 2024 Position Group Preview: Offensive Line Must Guide Team Again

It’s often said the offensive line is the most important part of a good football team. The 2023 Mountaineers embodied that saying in every way. If not for the strong play of the WVU offensive line, West Virginia likely doesn’t prove doubters wrong and reach nine wins, including a bowl victory.

If not for the strong play of the WVU offensive line, Garrett Greene may not have emerged as one of the most dynamic quarterbacks in the country. If not for the strong play of the WVU offensive line, Jahiem White may not have been able to become a freshman sensation and put up historic numbers for any Mountaineer running back.

If not for the strong play of the WVU offensive line, the list can go on and on. And while Zach Frazier was recognized as one of the nation’s best centers and is now on the precipice of entering the NFL, the strong play of the WVU offensive line wasn’t just about the prowess of one man. Doug Nester was a force when healthy, but he did miss time with an injury. Beyond those two mainstays, others like Wyatt Milum, Tomas Rimac and Ja’Quay Hubbard each had a significant impact too.

WVU QB Garrett Greene credits the offensive line playing well to why the offense was able to click so well at times.

— Mike J. Asti (@MikeAsti11) December 17, 2023

The often overshadowed Nick Malone, Jay Williams IV, Nick Krahe and Brandon Yates also stepped up when called upon. Now the line wasn’t perfect either. That night in Norman is one everyone involved will want to forget forever. But from an overall perspective, even though West Virginia’s offense was led by Garrett Greene, it was fueled and supported by the offensive line.

However, it’s always tough for any group to surpass, or even match, their performance without its two best players. The pressure will now be on the rest of the line, namely many of the less heralded players and new addition Xavier Bausley, to keep the consistency going without Frazier and Nester. Obviously, that won’t be any task, but it is necessary considering WVU will once again have an offense predicated on the run setting up its opportunities to be explosive.

WVSN photo/Kelsie LeRose

Fortunately for the Mountaineers, there are people outside of Morgantown who believe the returning players can be even better in 2024. One of those players is Milum at left tackle. The West Virginia native has been praised for his ability by professional talent evaluators. Milum was ranked as the No. 5 returning offensive tackle in all of college football by Max Chadwick of PFF.

Often Overlooked Member of WVU’s Offensive Line Earns High Praise

Below is why Chadwick feels Milum is one of the best in the country.

“Milum has been a starter for all three of his years in Morgantown, spending his freshman campaign at right tackle before moving to left tackle for the past two seasons. His 74.2 pass-blocking grade in 2021 ranked second among true freshman Power Five tackles. Since Milum flipped to left tackle in 2022, his 82.5 grade is a top-15 mark among all tackles in college football. This past season, his 89.6 pass-blocking grade on true pass sets placed second among FBS tackles, ranking behind only Houston’s Patrick Paul.”

Milum might be the one the media is focused on praising, but just like in 2023, it will take a village to guide WVU’s rushing attack and help Greene cook.

The experience gained in 2023 should do wonders for the success of the line, just like it should for Greene and the rest of the offense.