Yikes, spring footballalready? What begins today ends April 18 as WVU spreads the 15 permitted practices across the 26 days … and this time without Spring Break stuck in the middle, as has been the case in the past.

This year, I won’t be fleeing the country for a week — which makes me depressed. Then again, no signs of The Product, lawsuits, Larry Ashchebrook, et. al. Maybe it’s not that bad. Let’s buckle up! (Apologies to Jim Laise, who beat me to the publication of 15 days, 15 things to monitor this spring.)

1) Backup quarterback
Hasn’t been a problem the past three years. That backup is now the starter and the saying in football is if you have one, you have none. Coley White, this is your spring. If not, this summer is Geno Smith’s time.  

2) Offensive line
Selvish Capers wasn’t spectacular at right tackle last year and everyone else on the front is basically new. Eric Jobe was good at center and Don Barclay proved his worth at different spots. Josh Jenkins never got going before a knee ended his season. Barclay and Jenkins are your left tackle and guard. Right guard? I have no clue. And depth? Also, no clue.

3) Receivers 
Jock Sanders is still suspended and Brad Starks, who could really use this spring, is unable to completely participate as he recovers from offseason shoulder labrum surgery. J.D. Woods was to get a look after redshirting as a true freshman, but he, too, is recovering from a shoulder. This comes as coaches want to focus on the pass this spring. Alric Arnett and Wes Lyons are around, but they’re somewhat known commodities. Say hello to slots Carmen Connolly and Jack Crow and outsiders Ryan Nehlen (yes, that Nehlen), Gino Crump and …

4) Logan Heastie
WVU’s most respected wide receiver recruit in many, many years has been here since early January and for a reason. He wants to start right away. The path is clear.

5) Fullback
Is it Ricky Kovatch (6-2, 240), who had his moments last year, or Ryan Clarke (6-0, 230), who came to camp out of shape and ended up redshirting? Or is it neither and the offense waits for Chris Snook to arrive in the summer?

6) Short-yardage
Duh. That’s why No. 5 is so big.

7) Mark Rodgers
The coaches love this kid and his potential. Physically, he’s about the same as Devine. Probably not as chiseled, but the height and weight are close to even and he, too, can flat-out fly. He got going toward the end of the season, and you probably can’t properly appreciate the process that is graduating from high school in 2007, taking a year off to care for your mother, moving from California to West Virginia and adjusting to college life and football. There aren’t many mysteries about Devine and it’d be nice to keep him fresh and safe, so Rodgers has the ball this spring.

8) Special teams
Where to begin. Pat McAfee handled every sort of kick that mattered for the past two-plus years. That’s four spots, meaning time just has to be spent looking at people to do kickoffs, extra points, field goals and punts. The candidates? (PK) Tyler Bitancurt, Ben Rios and early enrolled freshman Cameron Starke; (P) Scott Kozlowski, Greg Pugnetti and Trevor Matthews.

9) Return men
This’ll actully be fun. Out of all the speed and talent — and the depth in those two categories — three or four will be picked to return kicks and two or three will get punts. But who? And how does Oll Twitter pick the guys?

10) Reed Williams
The kid knows one speed and you know he’ll be right there this afternoon.

11) Brandon Hogan
What will he say? What will we learn? Oh, and how is he?

12) Jucos
When they sign, the talk is about the maturity and the desire, both of which are said to be greater than high school kids. Makes sense. After all, the jucos have been off in a remote place trying to get here. When they do arrive, they don’t have as long to experience or enjoy it. They don’t want to take anything for granted. Well, cornerbacks Chaz Russell and Brantwon Bowser, receiver Gino Crump and defensive lineman D.J. Shaw are jucos with a chance this spring. How do they react?

13) SLB
Ovid Goulbourne is supposed to be the guy here, but he’s out for the spring. That leaves Najee Goode and Pat Lazear, who played middle and strong last year, but also Zac Cooper, who was moved last spring to defensive end.

14) Cups of coffee
Every year, you get a superstar in the spring, frequently by circumstance, who is rarely, if ever, heard from in the regular season. We call this the “Nathan Forse All-Stars.” Who’s on the clock?

15) Twitter
How does this affect practice? Preparation? Does he Twit during drills? Immediately after? I need to know.