Photo courtesy of Kevin Kinder/BlueGoldNews.com West Virginia coach Neil Brown looks for the goal line camera during a recent game.
MORGANTOWN — While the laser focus at this moment is squarely on the RaeQuan Battle to play basketball in West Virginia, the realization dawns that it’s a fight that seems destined to end in federal court rather than on a basketball court.
But focusing only on his problems means missing the big picture.
This isn’t one player stuck in a flawed system. It’s every college player’s problem – no matter the school, no matter the sport.
And right now, while WVU is focused on the joy that comes with an eight-win regular season and an interesting date with North Carolina in Charlotte, the football coaching staff is busy not only preparing for the matchup, but much more importantly, shaping its future.
This includes recruiting in three areas – high school players, transfer portal players, and team players.
Now, more than ever, a famous quote comes to mind, which came from the typewriter of legendary New York sports columnist Frank Graham.
Graham wrote at the time of Babe Ruth, and one of his teammates was angry outfielder Bob Musil who was reaching the end of his career.
“Mussel” he wrote, “I didn’t learn how to say hello until it was time to say goodbye.”
A lot of college athletes put themselves in similar situations, and think the same “herb” It’s always greener across the street.
That’s what put Battle in the position he’s in, and what attracts hundreds of other athletes to the transfer portal. It’s not always about fringe players being disillusioned with playing time or homesick.
These are the star players who are looking for more of the non-herbal stuff “green” Available include linebackers Riley Leonard of Duke, Dillon Gabriel of Oklahoma and Cam Ward of Washington State.
It’s happening right here at home as WVU head coach Neil Brown and his staff focus on the immediate future, those players on his roster.
“Retention is something we spent a lot of time on.” Brown admitted in his press conference after the final game of the regular season. “It’s ongoing. Our hope is that we can keep our key players.”
In the four days since the portal opened this winter, WVU has lost wide receivers Cortez Braham, Jashon Book, Davis Mallinger and Jeremiah Aaron along with defensive backs Christion Stokes, Hershey McLaurin and Andrew Wilson Lamb.
Some of them had a chance to play a big role next year, but they weren’t “Key Players” What Brown was talking about. More losses will come, of course.
“You’ll lose some.” Brown understands. “this is normal.”
Once the bowl game is over, the action figures will start again.
They are actually ahead of the game.
Quarterback Garrett Green said on the Three Guys Before the Game podcast that “Anyone can call me but I’m not leaving, 1000%.”
At the same time, it announced Wyatt Millom, Brandon Yates and Tomas Remack, three key members of an offensive line that was considered one of the best in the country, but lost Zach Frazier and Doug Nester, along with wide receiver/returner Preston Fox and linebacker Josiah Trotter. . They are committed to the NIL-funded Country Roads Trust and will be back.
Additionally, Kole Taylor, who has emerged as the team’s leading receiver as he became Greene’s most trusted target, and new, high-end receiver Traylon Ray, said they will be back.
This alleviates some of the concerns you may have in the off-season. This means WVU will be in the portal looking not only for immediate help but also for players with three years of eligibility who can commit for the future.
Seeking WVU “A proven future” To go with a young group that carries high expectations with Fox, Hudson Clement, Rodney Gallagher, AJ Horton and Ray.
With Green and this group of wide receivers back and the addition of another player similar to last year’s transfer of Devin Carter from NC State, Brown believes he has the makings of an explosive passing game to go along with a strong running game that is built around Jaheim White, the best freshman runner in country this year with 792 yards, and C.J. Donaldson.
In defence, some gaps need to be corrected.
“Defensively, we need numbers at fullback.” Brown said, noting they are the type of players who also fit in on special teams, an area where several leaks have emerged as the season has gone on.
“The secondary field will be the primary field that we will focus on in the portal.” Brown added. “We would have liked to take a pass rusher as well, but the secondary will go first and foremost.”
This is a song sung across college football.
West Virginia University is gearing up for an exciting season as key players make their return to the team. With the anticipation of their comeback, fans are buzzing with excitement and expectations. As the news of their return spreads, the sports community is abuzz with speculation about how their presence will impact the team’s performance. Additionally, their return is not just a win for the team, but also for the entire state as it fuels the passion and enthusiasm for sports in West Virginia. This news is not just about the players, but it’s about the overall impact on the sports culture in the state.