There was always something about Wes Lyons that seemed a tick off his first two years. I’m not quite sure he should have played his true freshman season. Was he ready? Probably — and receiver is maybe the best position for a first-year player to make a mark — but he just wasn’t used very much or very well. Giving him a year to adjust mentally and physically to college football and college life, to grow into his body and his environment seemed a better idea.

Last year was a struggle with injuries and though he came on and showed some promise, particularly with blocking, he never seemed into it very much. Again, just a perception and perhaps that’s unfair because he is a quiet and reserved kid.

He was nicked — I’m starting to like that word — again this summer, but there was something different. He seemed upset, almost mad he needed arthroscopic surgery. He was projected as a starter at the time, but another injury projected another so-so season.

Wrong.

Lyons has played pretty well upon his full-time, full-speed return — modest numbers, I know, but remember who he’s playing for — and it seems as if he’s become the possession type, move-the-chains option. He’s not a burner. He’s not going to beat people deep again and again. What he is is a big target the quarterbacks trust.

Turns out he had a motivation, too.

Lyons remained optimistic, though, despite his rather uneventful freshman and sophomore seasons. But his career numbers — 19 catches, 222 yards — tell the story.

“There were (West Virginia) coaches at my house every week coming in and telling me how much they’re gonna throw the ball and … not at all,” Lyons said. “It’s frustrating but it’s my decision. I made it. I have to live with it. I’m not regretting anything right now.”

Lyons’ mind has wandered at times, particularly when former West Virginia coach Rich Rodriguez and most of his staff went to Michigan before the Fiesta Bowl last season. That’s when Lyons thought about transferring.

“Leaving, that was a thought,” Lyons said. “It’s hard to get up and leave. I didn’t want to sit out.” 

Is that what’s different? Was he upset in the spring because he really wanted to be here and to make it work? Seems sensible. It also seems as if the expectations finally met the reality for Lyons. He’s so tall people expected him to dominate, and while he hasn’t been a bad player, he hasn’t been what people expected — himself included. He’s comfortable and, not coincidentally, producing.