Honestly, there’s no better way to put this: You couldn’t have imagined in 2014 that eventual news William Crest is transferring wouldn’t shock anyone and would affect depth at safety and on special teams. But Crest is gone, and since he’ll be a fourth-year junior, it’s fair to wonder if he goes down to Division II or the FCS. He could play right away, and he could also probably play quarterback.

Meanwhile, that 2014 recruiting class … yikes.

Consensus top 40 by Rivals, Scout and 247Sports. There were 21 signatures on signing day — and a 22nd name didn’t sign because he wasn’t going to make the grades. Twelve of the 21 players didn’t last. That’s hard to overcome and no doubt explains WVU’s need for junior college players.

Among those who did, Ed Muldrow was a good player, Skyler Howard did his thing and Sly Townes didn’t do much. They’re gone. Dravon Askew-Henry will be back following his knee injury, and he remains the treasure of the class, whereas the returning likes of Dontae Angus, Yodny Cajuste, Jaleel Fields, Xavier Preston and Ricky Rogers haven’t been able to make their marks.