Three freshmen football players showed up on campus yesterday to get the obvious head-start on soon-to-arrive first-year players who will hit town next month.

The arrivals of quarterback Barry Brunetti, safety Travis Bell and cornerback Ishmael Banks were significant. Not only is each in a position where WVU could use some players, but each was a pretty interesting recruiting conquest.

The remaining 17 — and that’s a little fuzzy since three players are at least circled for academic reasons — are scheduled to begin college football on one of two dates next month. Several have a chance to help right away, though while talent clearly matters, it is circumstance that may matter more.

“Guys at some positions will have a chance to play before others,” he said. “Bell and Mike Dorsey play safety so they’re probably going to have a chance before, say, our linebackers, (Troy) Gloster, (Doug) Rigg and (Jewone) Snow. Are they good linebackers? You’re daggone right.

“Big Quinton Spain is more of a commodity than Marquis Wallace. Not because he’s a better player, but because of positioning. Marquis Wallace is an inside guy. We’ve got inside guys. We need tackles, so Quinton Spain is going to get more of a look.”