The NFL preseason is well underway, and several notable Mountaineers have displayed their talents across the league. However, while many former West Virginia players have secured a position on a roster, others are fighting for their jobs. So, although wins and losses may not mean as much until the regular season, every snap for former Mountaineers, or lack thereof, is tremendously important.
Daryl Worley, CB, Baltimore Ravens
Cornerback Daryl Worley is one standout performer who is making a solid case to earn a roster spot. The former Mountaineer was selected in the third round, number 77 overall, by the Carolina Panthers in 2016. After two years in Carolina, Worley spent time with the Eagles, Raiders, Cowboys, Bills, Cardinals, Lions, and Ravens. Three days after Baltimore signed the corner, the veteran made a tremendous play that turned some heads on the Ravens coaching staff.
Currently, the corner is fourth on Baltimore’s depth chart, and with teammate Marcus Peters recovering from a torn achilles a season ago, the veteran’s chances of earning a roster spot look promising. While Worley will have to prove he belongs in the final two preseason games, the former Mountaineer is off to a great start.
Kyzir White, LB, Philadelphia Eagles
Unlike Worley, who has bounced around the NFL quite a bit, Kyzir White is only on his second team. The linebacker was drafted in the fourth round by the Los Angeles Chargers in 2018. Although White did become the leading tackler for the Chargers last season, the linebacker signed a one-year deal worth up to five million dollars this spring with the Eagles. So far, this seems like a bargain as the former Mountaineer has received great reviews throughout training camp. On Friday night, the linebacker once again proved he could be a difference maker in the NFL, intercepting Jets quarterback Zach Wilson in the first quarter.
White is firmly supplanted in the starting weakside linebacker position and should be a contributor to the Eagles’ defense this season.
Geno Smith, QB, Seattle Seahawks
Possibly the biggest name on this list, Geno Smith seems poised to start again in the NFL. At West Virginia, the quarterback started three seasons and led the Mountaineers to the Orange Bowl during his junior campaign. After completing his senior year for West Virginia, Smith declared for the 2013 NFL draft. The New York Jets eventually selected the quarterback in the second round. He spent four seasons with the Jets and a season with the Giants before moving to Los Angeles to join the Chargers. In 2019, Smith signed with the Seahawks.
After Russell Wilson was traded to the Broncos this offseason, Geno finds himself competing with teammate Drew Lock for the starting position. The former West Virginia quarterback received the start against the Steelers this Saturday. Smith played well, completing ten of fifteen passing attempts and rushing for a touchdown.
However, Lock also put up similar numbers, completing eleven of fifteen passes and throwing two touchdowns. This completion is one Mountaineer fans should keep an eye on heading into the second week of the preseason.
Karl Joseph, FS, Pittsburgh Steelers
Geno Smith was not the only former Mountaineer playing in Pittsburgh on Saturday. Karl Joseph barely saw the field against Seattle before exiting the game early. Prior to taking a defensive snap, Joseph was carted off the field on a special team’s play. The safety was in a walking boot and crutches after the contest, and his injury may be significant.
Joseph was selected 16th overall in the 2016 NFL draft. After spending four seasons with the Raiders, the Orlando native signed with the Cleveland Browns. In 2021, the Steelers signed the safety to their practice squad, where he is now competing for a roster spot.
Although Joseph is second on the depth chart at the free safety position, sustaining an injury in the preseason, no matter how severe, never improves a player’s chances of making an active roster in the NFL.
Tavon Austin, WR, Buffalo Bills
Tavon Austin is still in the NFL after recently signing a one-year, 1.2 million dollar deal with the Bills this spring. While Austin is the primary punt returner according to Buffalo’s depth chart, he did not touch the field for the Bills Saturday. Backup return specialist, Khalil Shakir, returned two punts but only gained four yards. While these numbers are underwhelming, the rookie has played great in camp at the wide receiver spot.
Austin, a fan favorite coming out of Morgantown, was initially drafted in 2013 by the St. Louis Rams. After spending five seasons with the Rams, Austin signed with the Cowboys for two seasons. The wideout also spent time with the Packers and the Jaguars before landing with the Bills this spring.
Although it does appear the Baltimore native has an early lead to return punts, he will have to prove his value to the coaching staff to lock in a position on the 53-man roster, especially with Shakir performing well. Since Austin was a phenom during his days in Morgantown, Mountaineers fans will be interested to see how Buffalo utilizes the return man this preseason.
Kevin White, WR, New Orleans Saints
Similar to Tavon Austin, Kevin White has quietly kept his NFL career alive. The wide receiver was drafted seventh overall to the Bears in the 2015 NFL Draft. During his time in Chicago, White dealt with several injuries and did not live up to his lofty expectations. In 2021, the Saints signed the former West Virginia product. Although White has shown flashes of his playmaking ability, which he prominently displayed at West Virginia, he also has several drops thought this training camp.
The wide receiver is now the seventh on the Saints’ depth chart. Unfortunately, White did not record a catch during the Saturday contest against the Texans. Although he could bounce back in the final two preseason matchups, White’s opportunity to make the Saints active roster seems to be slipping away, especially in a crowded wide receiver room.
Photo by Joe Sargent
