WVU’s offense, trademarked by its three rushing threats and reliable offensive line, has a one-dimensional identity entering this year, despite several valid receiving threats.
With senior quarterback Garrett Greene’s reputation as a run-first player and well-documented passing struggles from intermediate distance, the angle for trapping the Mountaineers in 2024 is clear.
In turn, West Virginia’s success will be determinant on Greene’s ability to make use of several options. Tight end Kole Taylor and breakout receiver Hudson Clement have been pinned as the keys to a more versatile WVU offense, and Greene will be pushed to use these targets all year.
As what looks to be a massive season for West Virginia’s mid-distance and long-range receiving threats approaches, these are the essential returners to Garrett Greene’s offense along with how they fared statistically in 2023.
Kole Taylor, Senior Tight End
2023 participation: 700 offensive snaps in 13 games
2023: 35 catches for 444 yards and 4 touchdowns
2022 (at LSU): 5 catches for 55 yards
2021 (at LSU): 6 catches for 68 yards and 1 touchdown
2020 (at LSU): 6 catches for 36 yards
The buzz around Kole Taylor was at an all-time high entering his first season at West Virginia. With that being the case, many thought the former LSU Tiger was underused as a junior, but as the team’s third-most in receiving yards, Taylor nearly tripled his offensive production from his first three seasons combined.
Coaches named Taylor to the All-Big 12 second team for his contributions as a receiving threat, blocker, and special teams player. With the pressure on Greene to use him more, Taylor is expected to be one of- if not the most used receiving options in 2024 without any loss in his contributions elsewhere.
Treylan Davis, Junior Tight End
2023 participation: 378 offensive snaps in 13 games
2023: 2 catches for 2 yards
2022: 5 catches for 51 yards
Taylor’s backup was not exactly a receiving threat last season, but he did make strides as a blocker. Entering his fourth season at West Virginia, Davis understands what the Mountaineers are about and is willing to slot in for anything the coaches need. He is not incapable as a target, and if WVU looks to be more versatile in 2024, he may see more opportunities to prove that.
“I like to do as much as I can for whatever (the coaches) need me to do,” Davis said this spring. “If coach (Neal) Brown sends me into block, or coach (Blaine) Stewart sends me into block, I’ll go block. If I need to go catch a flat route I will.”
Preston Fox, Junior Wide Receiver
2023 participation: 417 offensive snaps in 12 games
2023: 26 catches for 368 yards and 2 touchdowns
2022: 4 catches for 41 yards and 1 touchdown
2021: 1 catch for 8 yards
Fox made a name for himself last season as a kick returner, and his speed is expected to be used as a crutch in Greene’s deep passing game this year. With just over 14 yards per catch last season, Fox proved he is capable, and he will likely be used as a tertiary wide receiver threat, if not secondary to Clement.
Hudson Clement, Sophomore Wide Receiver
2023 participation: 368 offensive snaps in 11 games
2023: 22 catches for 480 yards and 4 touchdowns
Clement’s story as a redshirt freshman is well-documented, but as unexpected his success may have been last year, he will not be a source of surprise this season. With Devin Carter gone, Clement is WVU’s WR-1, and he will be used like it.
Coaches may use Clement as a sneaky intermediate option on some plays, but his speed make him Greene’s primary long-range option every snap. If West Virginia’s offense is to be a multi-layered threat, that starts and ends with Hudson Clement playing to his strengths while being pushed out of his comfort zone.
Rodney Gallagher, Sophomore Wide Receiver
2023 participation: 259 offensive snaps in 13 games
2023: 10 catches for 74 yards
Gallagher got thrown into about as many situations last season as he could have. The freshman ran on both offense and defense, and he was used as a receiving option and as a runner on jet sweeps, where he gained 87 yards in 15 rushing attempts. Gallagher screams versatility, which is exactly what WVU will need in 2024.
At 5-foot-10, 178 pounds, Gallagher has a smaller build than many of Greene’s returning targets, but as he looks to step into a clear role, likely as a slot receiver, he is one of the best options West Virginia has and could be a candidate for a breakout season.
Traylon Ray, Sophomore Wide Receiver
2023 participation: 12 games
2023: 18 catches for 321 yards and 3 touchdowns
West Virginia has several receiving threats, but at the end of the day Traylon Ray stands out as the likely second option. Ray caught one more touchdown than Fox last season and gained just 47 fewer yards in eight less catches.
Ray’s 75-yard touchdown at the Duke’s Mayo Bowl got him labeled as a distance threat, which is not inaccurate, especially considering it was nowhere near the only long-ball highlight of his season, but as a sophomore, Ray will likely be used in more ways than one and will be trusted to grow in all of them.
Photo by Aaron Parker, Blue Gold Sports
