Back in fall camp, West Virginia wide receivers coach Bilal Marshall referred to Preston Fox as a Honda Accord.
Now the only question that needs answering is how does one earn the title of being consistent and reliable.
“I’m kind of cool with being a honda accord. Just catch the ball and get yards,” Fox said.
For Fox, that journey stems from his high school days at local Morgantown High School, to then being a walk on, and now helping wherever he can and playing multiple roles on this Mountaineer team.
“It’s been a hard journey but it’s always going to be hard as a walk on. I’ve really worked really hard and being a huge role player now in the game, it’s big time. I would just say a lot of it was hard work coming in here and then now they can just plug me in in any spot and I do my thing,” Fox said.
Doing his thing is something Fox has been really good at as of late. Outside of a miscue on a punt return when his teammate ran into him, Fox has provided stability on special teams and has also made big catches as a wide receiver.
“Usually I put myself in positions to make hard catches,” Fox said. “I’ve always had really good hands, so I use that. I’m kind of quick I would say. I’m not a fast guy at all but just a little separation is all I need and I can get the ball in my hands.”
This season Fox has 12 catches for 212 yards and a touchdown, with 81 of those yards coming on four catches this past week. Fox has also compiled 140 yards on 13 punt returns this season.
This playing time Fox is receiving is surely not by accident. Fox had to work to get to where he is at now, and not only did he have to work to earn a scholarship, but from there he had to work to earn playing time.
“I would say as a walk-on you really got to put yourself in positions to get any playing time. Through punt return that helped me get on the field first. And special teams is the main key. If you want to get on the field you play special teams,” Fox said. “That made my way into receiver and learning all the positions. It really got me to a point where I can play anywhere and they can plug me into any spot and I can be in the game.”
Before he got to this point though, Fox said there were a lot of hard days, considering he felt like he thought he was better than people in front of him from the time he stepped on campus.
It’s really frustrating but in those moments you just need to know adversity hits and things happen. You just got to keep pushing forward and keep working hard because you know you’re going to get your chance at some point,” Fox said. “I got down a lot on myself, but honestly I just kept working hard.”
Fox is not far away from home, being a Morgantown native. With that came a dream of playing at West Virginia.
It was never really a thought that I could do it until my senior year and I got that offer to be a preferred walk on. Growing up I always wanted to come here. This is my home, it’s a great team to be here and play for.
Being so close to home also has its advantages of him being able to connect with his family as well as them being there when he was put on scholarship in the spring of 2022.
“That was probably one of the best feelings in the world. seeing my family walk in, I just knew that was the moment. He gave me the scholarship and I almost had tears come out of my eyes. That was the best feeling ever,” Fox said. “Being able to see my family it’s good. It’s hard not seeing your family and people being away from their family, it’s terrible for them.”
For Fox and the Mountaineers they are trying to shake off a two-game losing streak this weekend against UCF. Fox said it comes down to playing together as a team.
“Be more compatible with each other offense and defense wise,” Fox said.
