Plenty of players have arguments for being potential breakouts in Morgantown this season.
With a new season on the horizon, there’s plenty to look forward to as West Virginia looks to build off a successful campaign. The Mountaineers finished with a 9-4 record, winning the Duke’s Mayo Bowl over North Carolina and dousing head coach Neal Brown in mayonnaise.
With a full off-season having come and gone, let’s look at three more West Virginia players who have a chance to make a bigger impact this season. You can see our first set of predictions here.
Josiah Trotter
Trotter is a redshirt freshman linebacker who missed his true freshman season after sustaining a season-ending lower-leg injury during spring practice. But don’t let that injury scare you, Trotter is fully healthy entering 2024. He’ll begin with high hopes as well, as NFL-caliber football is in his blood. Both his father, Jeremiah Trotter and brother Jeremiah Trotter Jr. were drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles to play linebacker. Junior is a rookie, while his father was a two-time All-Pro and four-time Pro Bowler in his NFL career.
This isn’t to suggest that Josiah isn’t his own player. The youngest Trotter was ranked as a four-star prospect by Rivals and ESPN out of high school. He was ranked as the No. 16 linebacker in the country and No. 9 player from Pennsylvania by Rivals. Across his final two seasons of high school, Trotter recorded 189 tackles, nine tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks and an interception.
With all of that, Trotter should make an immediate impact on defense this season. He’s an easy pick as a breakout candidate.
Sean Martin
Martin is a senior defensive lineman who’s become a familiar face for the Mountaineers. He’s played in every game for the last three seasons, but his season stats show that he hasn’t had what you’d call a complete campaign.
His best season came in 2022, where the lineman racked up 34 total tackles, eight tackles for loss, and four sacks. However, all of his numbers dipped in 2023. With only 27 total tackles, five tackles for loss, and just one sack, Martin’s junior campaign leaves more to be desired.
It feels as though everyone has been waiting for Martin to break through and find himself amongst the elite pass rushers in the Big 12. In 2024, it may finally happen. For Martin, it has to be this year, as it’ll be his final one in college football.
Traylon Ray
Ray is a sophomore wide receiver whom many will remember for his 75-yard touchdown catch that began the Duke’s Mayo Bowl. But Ray has the potential to be so much more than a great Bowl game memory.
In his freshman campaign Ray was primarily used as a deep threat, averaging 17.8 yards per catch. He turned 18 receptions into 321 yards and three touchdowns. The ball may not have come his way often, but Ray made the most of each and every opportunity.
Now entering his sophomore year, Ray is in a position battle with Preston Fox to become the starting WR2. While both should see the field plenty, expect the taller Ray to win the starting role and have a breakout campaign.
