The Sock 'Em, Bust 'Em Board Because that's our custom

Ooh, a warning!

April 20, 2017 by Mike Casazza
Quarterback Will Grier

 

Let’s grab that bridle and back Mr. Ed up behind this here rickety cart. West Virginia is simply waiting on en emoji text from the NCAA to know for sure and then announce that Will Grier is eligible for the start of the 2017 season, and then our columnist says the countdown begins!

Yet one little warning: West Virginia fans should also mentally prepare themselves for the possibility Grier is a one-and-done QB in Morgantown.

The redshirt junior Florida transfer was a rising star in the SEC before his suspension from the NCAA. He was a four-star recruit that had very good numbers as a redshirt freshman and helped the Gators to a 6-0 start, including a nice rally against Tennessee.

These days, Florida coach Jim McElwain is having to explain why he allowed Grier to depart. Serious media “spin” is underway in Gainesville. But, in sum, the kid is talented. He’s playing a position the NFL seriously covets. Oh, and his Twitter account proudly displays his newborn child.

 You understand what I’m saying.

 

‘It’s going to take a minute …’

by Mike Casazza
Holgs_MMORAES

 

The fact that we won’t see this guy doing that in 2017 is significant for reasons outside of how a game unfurls and the capacities West Virginia coach has for timeouts, fourth-down decisions and overall management. Dana Holgorsen’s free time … and a new team hotel? … might also help recruiting.

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WVU eyes on the defensive line

April 19, 2017 by Mike Casazza

Kentucky defensive lineman Tyrese Allen committed to West Virginia’s 2018 recruiting class Tuesday. He’s the second player to pledge to the class. The other is also a defensive lineman, and the Mountaineers, of course, have circled Fairmont’s Dante Stills as another player they’d like to have. His brother is a 2017 signee, and their father is all-timer Gary Stills.

This is quite obviously a focus for WVU, and Allen’s addition helps.

Allen stands at 6-foot-3 and 290 pounds, but has the athleticism to play on the edge of the defensive line, too. The coaches see him as a three-technique, similarly to how they used Christian Brown in the last couple of seasons. However, he could line up at any of the spots along the defensive front. Regardless of where he ends up, 247Sports Director of Recruiting Steve Wiltfong feels the Mountaineers got a good one.

“His relentlessness and his power make him a guy that will be a productive player at the point of attack,” said Wiltfong. “He’s a good player against the run and he’s got some athleticism to him. He’s an old-school, back alley, tough and physical kid. He’s a high-motor football player.”

WVU will continue recruiting the position, and not exclusively for 2018.

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Labrums and Europe and Culver, oh my…

by Mike Casazza

 

There’s … there’s a lot going on here, but dig in and enjoy Nathan Adrian’s NBA potential, Derek Culver’s status, Elijah Macon’s future and the prospects West Virginia is known to be pursuing.

 

No. 21 WVU 8, Marshall 4

by Mike Casazza

 

Never needed a title like that for a baseball game, but West Virginia’s first game (ever, in the most legitimate polls) as a ranked team was a success. Marshall hasn’t beaten the Mountaineers the past few years, but Marshall has given the Mountaineers periodic problems. This one — in a pro park in Charleston, no less — was set up for trouble, but WVU navigated and won.

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Spoiler alert: Yes!

April 18, 2017 by Mike Casazza

Today’s the day the NCAA establishes future NCAA championship sites, and the organizers were careful to include West Virginia in their plans.

The rifle team, at long last, will play host to the 2019 national championship. That is most certainly not a spectator sport, but I’m willing to believe and possibly even bet that will change in two years, if only for a day. Gymnastics, definitely a spectator sport, will play host to a regional for the 11th time. If you’ve never gone and if you’re around when it’s in town, I recommend giving it a chance. Try not to forget between now and 2021.

Good news, bad news

by Mike Casazza

West Virginia’s most experienced offensive lineman had a solid spring, at a new position, no less, as the two-year starter at right guard moved to the left without much fanfare or frustration. There was a scare Saturday, though, when a play swallowed him up and he was helped off the turf while favoring his left knee.

Now we learn, in the most generic phrasing possible, that he’s going to be all right, and sooner rather than later.

That’s the bad news. The title, though …

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The NCAA does some good things

by Mike Casazza
Head coach Dana Holgorsen

 

West Virginia’s Dana Holgorsen is a lot like a lot of other FBS coaches. He wholly endorsed a December signing period for football. You’ll remember this from national signing day in February.

… from a head coaching point of view, we were at the AFCA Convention and it was unanimous 100 percent, every head coach in the room raised their hand and said, ‘please, please, please, let there be a December signing period’ because it saves the school money. That month long babysitting stage doesn’t exist, kids don’t get bored and want to go take some more trips just because they can. It’s going to make things a little bit more tolerable from a recruiting perspective.

On Friday, the NCAA’s Division I Council made it so as part of a series of changes to the current recruiting model. This is the biggest item on the list, but it’s not the only worth mentioning.

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Mr. Isreal is real interesting

April 17, 2017 by Mike Casazza

West Virginia’s coaching staff put a finger on the bow and tied it tightly Sunday night when it ended spring football by adding a quarterback to the 2017 recruiting class.

That’s not an error. David Isreal is in for the fall, and that’s only the start of his tale.

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Action!

by Mike Casazza

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West Virginia coach Dana Holgorsen had plenty to say about Saturday’s scrimmage. Our photographer, Justin Rogers, took plenty of pictures worth at least as many words.