Connect with us

WVU Football

Reactions and Analysis: Week 1 Depth Chart

Published

on

This morning the Mountaineers officially released their depth chart for the team’s season opener vs James Madison this Saturday. The depth chart is something fans constantly want to know about and speculate throughout all of camp who may win certain starting spots or roles. Last Tuesday, head coach Neal Brown announced that Austin Kendall won the starting quarterback job, today we now know the rest of the starters, or at least the majority of them.

Let’s take a more in-depth look at the depth chart from both sides of the ball and what may have surprised some of us.

OFFENSE

QB: Not a total shock that Jack Allison won the backup job over Trey Lowe III. Lowe is talented, but Allison is a little further ahead at the moment.

RB: McKoy listed as the starter after head coach Neal Brown said he thinks McKoy is “sitting on a big year”, but all four backs will see major playing time.

WR: Temple transfer Sean Ryan impressed the coaching staff throughout camp and has won the starting job at the (X). Returners Tevin Bush and T.J. Simmons each lock up a spot respectively. Florida State transfer George Campbell backing up James will be a solid two-deep at the (Z).

TE: Redshirt freshman Mike O’Laughlin getting the start over Jovani Haskins is interesting. Not sure if this has to do with Haskins’ off the field incident or his injured shoulder, maybe both.

OL: Neal Brown has consistently said he’s been happy with four guys, they’re just looking for a fifth. It looks like that battle will continue into game week at right guard between John Hughes and Chase Behrndt. McKivitz, Brown, Sills and Wickline have earned their spots.

DEFENSE

DT/NT: Dante Stills not starting, but will be a solid second option to roll out there behind Reese Donahue at defensive tackle or behind his brother, Darius, at nose.

DE: No known starter, but a fairly deep position with Jeffery Pooler Jr., Taijh Alston and Reuben Jones (Michigan grad transfer) all going to be seeing major playing time.

LB: Alabama transfer VanDarius Cowan will miss four games, so JoVanni Stewart will slide into the SPEAR spot. Redshirt freshman Josh Chandler will make his first career start at WILL, expect this to be the start of a big year for the young backer.

CB: Returning vets Keith Washington and Hakeem Bailey will lock down the corner spots and true freshman Nicktroy Fortune and Tae Mayo will be first off the bench to back those guys up. It will be interesting to see how quickly they adapt to the college game.

Safety: Josh Norwood moves from the CAT safety position back to free safety, which allows redshirt junior Sean Mahone to become the starter at CAT. True freshman Tykee Smith and juco transfer Noah Guzman will back up Mahone.

Get WVSN in your mailbox!

Enter your email address to subscribe to WVSN and receive notifications of new posts by email.

COMPLETE COVERAGE