Neal Brown and his team have wrapped up fall camp and are just a few days out from the start of the season. As expected, big-name offensive players like Bryce Ford-Wheaton and Sam James impressed during camp; but who are the players to watch for that aren’t always in the spotlight? With the Backyard Brawl just around corner, here are some names fans should watch for against Pitt on the offensive side of the ball.
While Ford-Wheaton and James are at the forefront of the wide receiver talent, West Virginia has some depth in the receiver room that is projected to see some action against Pitt.
A receiver that has impressed Brown and his staff over fall camp is Reese Smith. Smith added depth at receiver in 2021 but was primarily used on special teams. The 5-foot-10 sophomore will definitely see some playing time on September 1 and has the opportunity to be a big playmaker for the Mountaineers.
Another receiver that could see some action in the Backyard Brawl is Cortez Braham. Braham is listed behind Ford-Wheaton in the depth chart and brings impressive statistics to WVU as a community college transfer. In 2021, Braham finished with 32 caches for 723 yards and 10 touchdowns – if Braham gets some action on the big stage, fans will notice his sharp route running and ability to make difficult, contested catches.
In the running back room, Tony Mathis is at the forefront of conversation. Although Mathis is projected to start week one, one of the backups in the rotation has made a lot of noise during fall camp.
Sophomore Justin Johnson could see some action in the Pitt game as a reliever for Mathis, as Johnson played in eight games last season for the Mountaineers and finished with 3.8 yards per carry. Johnson is young and will likely have a successful career at West Virginia as he already competed his true freshman year.
Wyatt Milum is a returning starter for WVU and will be a dominant force on the offensive line. Standing 6-foot-6, 308 pounds, Milum made an impact early in his collegiate career as a freshman in 2021, seeing action on 628 snaps for the Mountaineers. Milum is a quiet force but will provide elite protection, although his new spot on the left side may be an adjustment come September 1.
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