EARLY BIRD 2006 COLLEGE FOOTBALL PREVIEW
RELEASED THANKSGIVING 2005
WEST VIRGINIA MOUNTAINEERS
OFFENSE - 8
------RETURNING STARTERS------
DEFENSE - 5
KEY LOSSES
OFFENSE: Josh Bailey-TE, Travis Garrett-OT, Garin Justice-OT
DEFENSE: Ernest Hunter-NT, Jeff Noechel-SLB, Anthony Mims-CB, Dee McCann-CB, Jahmile Addae-FS, Mike Lorello-BS, Phil Brady-P
Running Back/Receiver

We need a four-deep depth chart to list them all. QB Pat White is really just another RB. Suffice to say, Coach Rodriguez has a long list of skill players to run his flex offense.

Defensive Back

In this five set secondary, only one main starter returns in SS Eric Wicks. For WVU to raise the bar, this unit has to be reconstructed.

QB Pat White
 
LB Kevin McLee
 

* DEPTH CHARTS were only designed as a simplistic gauge for listing players that departed and players that received the most playing experience (consistent starters). NationalChamps.net recognizes the importance of missing personnel data not listed such as redshirts, transfers, injuries, incoming recruits, back ups and alternates. Their coverage will begin with our full 2006 Preseason Preview due out this coming spring.
WEST VIRGINIA 2006 DEPTH CHART
Returning Starters/
Key Players
OFFENSE
QB Pat White-So Adam Bednarik-Jr
TB Steve Slaton-So Pernell Williams-Jr / Jason Gwaltney-So
WR Brandon Myles-Sr Rayshawn Bolden-Sr / Jason Colson-Sr (SLOT)
WR Dorrell Jalloh-So Jeremy Bruce-So / Dwayne Thompson-Jr
WR Darius Reynaud-Jr Vaughn Rivers-Jr / Brandon Barrett-Jr
TE Michael Villagrana-Jr Owen Schmitt-Jr (FB)
OT .. ..
OG Ryan Stanchek-So John Bradshaw-So
C Dan Mozes-Sr ..
OG Jeremy Sheffey-Sr ..
OT .. ..
K Pat McAfee-So ..
DEFENSE
DE Craig Wilson-Sr Johnny Dingle-Jr
NT Pat Liebig-Jr ..
DT Keilen Dykes-Jr ..
SLB Bobby Hathaway-Jr ..
MLB Jay Henry-Sr Marc Magro-Jr
WLB Kevin McLee-Sr Mortty Ivy-So
CB Larry Williams-Jr ..
CB Antonio Lewis-Jr ..
SS Eric Wicks-Sr ..
FS .. ..
BS Ridwan Malik-Jr ..
P .. ..
QUICK ANALYSIS

Rich gets richer, at least for coach Rich Rodriguez. No one is quite sure what to make of WVU until someone forces one of their QBs to throw the pigskin in an effort to win. This “flex” offense is built around its ground dimensions, and the team's outstanding 2005 record reflects such. Why throw the ball when freshmen like Pat White and Steve Slaton are ripping through defenses with their quick feet? Amazingly, it was true freshman RB Jason Gwaltney, maybe WVU's biggest recruit in the history of the program, who was sure to be bound for early glory. Forget it, as Steve Slaton has stolen the show in Morgantown. This kid is quick and squares up to the hole faster than anyone. Give credit to his big, quick-footed OL. The only difficulty will be trying to replace two top quality tackles. Senior Dan Mozes is the leader at center, which makes the difficulty for the newbies that much easier. If the Mountaineers do have to throw, they can choose from up to nine different receivers. None of them have proven to be all-conference selections just yet, but much of that has to do with running it 70% of the time. The major concern is in the backfield of this unique 3-3-5 defensive set. Call it a quadruple loss as four of the five very talented leaders depart, and only Eric Wicks returns. This area will be the make or break for how far this team can climb in the polls. And the polls are the key, for while this group will be expected to repeat as Big East champion (another BCS bowl), real improvement will be measured in how far they climb nationally. The schedule, now without Virginia Tech, does not have anyone remotely resembling a top ten team. There may be no need to throw again in 2006 as long as Rodriguez’ squad keeps commanding most without it.

 

2006 SCHEDULE

9-2 Marshall
10-7 @ Mississippi State
TBA Maryland
TBA Buffalo
TBA @ East Carolina
TBA Syracuse
TBA Rutgers
TBA @ Louisville
TBA @ Connecticut
TBA Cincinnati
TBA South Florida
TBA @ Pittsburgh