As we proceed with our five-part series on NCAA reform, we look beneath the rug a little bit and see what high school coaches and players have to think about the coming changes.

We expect there to be new dynamics to play, and we trust people will manipulate those as best as possible for their own benefit. In a state with a lot of walk-ons who eyeball the Division I schools and side eye aid at the Division II places, this is important. As Derek Taylor explains, new variables lead to a new thought process and those involved acknowledge there are new ways to consider an old predicament.

“You also have to factor in playing time. Obviously, that would be the first thing that comes to mind,” Bowers said. “A guy might be able to get on the field or start as a sophomore at a lot of D-II schools and maybe not until they’re a junior or senior at WVU, if then. There’s a lot of decisions to be made before picking a school.”

Like Mays, Bowers said that financial incentives also play a significant role in where a player decides to go to school.

“The greatest thing I can do as a high school teacher and coach is to prepare kids for college and help them gain the skills necessary to get through,” Bowers said. “If furthering the financial incentive to go to a school like WVU is going to get more kids in schools and stay in school, then I can definitely see it as a benefit.”

Bowers also saw the possibility for prospects in his own region to stay close to home if given the opportunity.

“That may creep into the kids’ minds,” he said. “I can see where that could happen, definitely.”