There is no real free agency in college football like the NFL, but there is “buying” and “selling” involved in the offseason of the NCAA. I’m not talking about NCAA violations, but rather players “buying” into a program’s history or philosophy and that program “selling” itself to particular players, whether it be high school prospects or players from another school. This offseason, WVU has utilized “free agency” to its fullest with a heap of transfer players, some who will make an impact from the very start.
Quite possibly the biggest transfer in the NCAA came in the form of former Houston running back Charles Sims. Sims has been named the Big 12 Newcomer of the Year and has been named to the Maxwell Award Watch List. While Dana Holgorsen hasn’t said yet, look for Sims to be the starter.
Next up is Florida State transfer quarterback Clint Trickett. There’s little doubt that Trickett won’t be the number one signal caller for the Mountaineers come August, but Holgorsen has said he hasn’t promised Trickett anything. We’ll see how this plays out.
Following those two guys are big time JUCO transfers Kevin White and Dreamius Smith. White, a 6’3″ wide out, will give whoever is at quarterback a big target. WVU isn’t used to having big guys like that at receiver, so it’ll be fun to watch how he’s implemented into the offense. Smith, a JUCO running back, will be looking to get in and make plays when needed this season as well as next. Smith is a bruiser. He’s got speed but he’s built like a tank, a trending theme with WVU’s new pick ups this offseason. He’ll be one to keep an eye on after Sims.
The next obvious pick up just came to WVU on Friday. Former five-star running back Rushel Shell comes over from PITT. WVU fans relish in the fact that they’re taking away a player that PITT fans swear they don’t want. He may have an attitude, but Holgorsen has shown that attitudes don’t go over very well. Just ask Ivan McCartney, who was recently reinstated to the football team. Shell will have to sit out a year before coming on fully in 2014.
Now here’s some other guys you need to keep an eye out for.
Dontrill Hyman is a 6’4″, 265 pound defensive end from Hinds Community College. He led his team last season in sacks with 7.5 and forced fumbles with 3.0. He was named to the 2012 NJCAA All-American second team. Hyman is big, and he’s mean. He could possibly make an impact as early as this season on the defensive line.
Mario Alford is a speedster wideout. He has playmaking abilities that some have compared to Tavon Austin and was the #1 rated JUCO ATH on the market. At 5’9″ and 175 pounds, his size also draws comparisons to Austin. He led his team in rushing last season with 541 yards and 6 touchdowns, but will play receiver for the Mountaineers.
Last but not least, Brandon Golson. Golson is a hybrid style linebacker who could play defensive end, linebacker, or even safety. Golson played at the same school as Alford, Georgia Military College, before coming to WVU. At 6’3″, 220 pounds, Golson can provide some problems for offenses if his quickness translates well into Division I ball.
When WVU takes the field next week for camp, they’ll have nine guys who transferred from junior colleges. Throw in Sims, Trickett, and Shell, and you have a whole other squad to work with. It’s safe to say WVU used “free agency” to its fullest.
