For Starters
West Virginia finished 7-6 in 2014, and the 5-4 mark in its third year in the Big 12 Conference led to its highest conference finish. The Mountaineers’ improved play, especially on defense, gave WVU a successful season and put them back in a bowl. Heading into the 2015 season, WVU returns 44 letterwinners, including 21 starters. Add another strong recruiting class, coupled with an outstanding spring, and the stage is set for good things to happen.
Offense
There are 16 letterwinners returning on offense, including nine starters. Junior Skyler Howard looks to be the starter at quarterback. He saw action at the end of last season, filling in for an injured Clint Trickett, and completed 56-of-110 passes for 829 yards, eight touchdowns and no interceptions. Juniors Rushel Shell andWendell Smallwood return as the leading rushers. Shell finished with 788 yards and eight touchdowns, while Smallwood ran for 722 yards and two scores. Both are also capable receivers as Smallwood finished with 31 catches for 326 yards, and Shell had 21 catches for 140 yards. Redshirt freshman Donte Thomas-Williamsperformed well in the spring and will be in the mix. Senior Jordan Thompson, junior Daikiel Shorts and redshirt sophomore Shelton Gibson are the top receiving threats. Thompson finished third on the team with 49 catches for 598 yards and two touchdowns. Shorts had 24 catches for 346 and two touchdowns, and Gibson looks to make his mark as a deep threat. On the line, Marquis Lucas returns at right tackle and Tyler Orlosky at center. Starting left tackle Adam Pankey was moved to guard in the spring and Tony Matteo, who saw action last year, is slated to start at right guard. Redshirt freshman Yodny Cajuste and redshirt junior Russell Haughton-James will battle at right tackle, with the other backing up both tackle positions.
Defense
Experience ReturningWith 25 letterwinners, including 17 with starting experience, returning from the 2014 squad, the West Virginia defense is poised to be one of the best in the nation.
In his first year as coordinator, Tony Gibson’s unit turned the corner and made marked improvement. Heading into 2015, the defense returns 25 letterwinners, including 10 starters. Gibson has a lot of confidence in his unit and looks for it to be a dominant force. Last year, WVU boasted a No. 9 national finish in third-down defense and No. 15 in highest percentage of opponent three and outs. Senior nose tackle Kyle Rose and junior ends Christian Brown and Noble Nwachukwu should anchor the line. The linebacker position possesses a lot of depth, led by All-America candidate Nick Kwiatkoski, who was moved from Mike linebacker to Sam this spring. He is the team’s leading returning tackler with 103 tackles, including a team-leading 11.5 tackles for loss. Jared Barber, who redshirted last year after sustaining a knee injury late in the 2013 season, looks to start in the middle. Shaq Petteway, who finished with 39 tackles, a sack and four tackles for loss, will be used at Will linebacker. Sophomore Xavier Preston shows a lot of ability and will challenge for time. The secondary is led by All-America candidate senior safety Karl Joseph. The hard-hitter was the team’s second-leading tackler with 92, including 4.5 tackles for loss and a team-leading three forced fumbles. Sophomore free safety Dravon Henry is back after finishing with 45 tackles, two pass breakups and two interceptions. Senior Spur KJ Dillon returns as the team’s fourth-leading tackler with 62 stops, including 43 solo stops, 7.5 tackles for loss and was tied for the team lead in interceptions (3) and pass breakups (7). Daryl Worley, who sat out for the spring after shoulder surgery, and Terrell Chestnut, and senior Rick Rumph will battle for the cornerback positions. Worley was the fifth-leading tackler with 52 stops and tied for the team lead with three interceptions, while Chestnut had 35 tackles and tied for the team lead with seven pass breakups.
Special Teams
Kicker Josh Lambert returns after posting record-setting numbers last season. The Lou Groza Award finalist and All-American connected on 30-of-39 field goal attempts, tying former WVU All-American Paul Woodside for most field goals made in a season. He also tied Woodside with his fifth made kick of 50 yards or more. Sixteen of his 30 field goals were from 40 yards or more, setting the NCAA record, and tied another national record with 10 games of hitting multiple field goals. Punter Nick O’Toole looks to get back to his all-conference form from two years ago. Last season, he averaged 41.8 yards per punt, placed 24 punts inside the opponent’s 20-yard line and hit 11 punts of 50-plus yards. Steady John DePalma returns as the snapper, O’Toole takes over the holder duties and sophomore Mike Molina and redshirt freshman Billy Kinney will battle for kickoff duties. Gibson and Smallwood will handle the kickoff return duties, and Vernon Davis, Jordan Thompson and Dillon will battle for the punt return position.
Closing Thoughts
Holgorsen has worked hard to build his squad and prepare them to face the weekly battles. There are 46 upperclassmen on this year’s team and 51 players who have Big 12 experience, which should serve it well. The Mountaineers face three non-conference home games against nine-win Georgia Southern, FCS playoff team Liberty and border-rival Maryland. In league play, WVU travels to Oklahoma, TCU, Baylor, Kansas and Kansas State, and plays host to Oklahoma State, Texas Tech, Texas and Iowa State. This is a big season for the Mountaineers as Holgorsen has his largest group of upperclassman and enough depth to have another successful season.
