WVU Football: 2022 Year In Review

[smackemz]

2022 saw an improved Mountaineer team on the field, but unfortunately the results were not reflected in the record books. The team would start the season off strong, but once it entered conference play it would struggle to pick up additional wins. The Big XII was arguably one of the deepest conferences in the country, and the Mountaineers lost several close games - this was always intended to be a 4 year rebuilding project with the state of the roster when @smackemz took over.

 

I. The Season

 

Week	Opponent	Result	Score
1	Miami (OH)	L	20-33
2	@Liberty	W	20-14
3	@Army	W	15-3
4	Kansas State	L	27-31
5	Kansas	L	17-21
6	@Texas	L	3-29
7	Baylor	L	16-24
8	Oklahoma	W	33-28
9	TCU	L	17-27
10	@Oklahoma State	L	7-20
11	@Texas Tech	L	17-28
12	OPEN
13	@Iowa State	L	12-34
14	OPEN

 

The theme of the 2022 WVU Football season is "What could have been" with so many close losses on the schedule. The Mountaineers would open up with a sloppy loss to Miami (OH), but then turn it around and win their next 2 non-conference games. Once conference play started, however; WVU would show a lot of fight and competitiveness but were unable to make any significant headway in the win column. WVU would only win a single conference game with a home victory over the Oklahoma Sooners.

 

Overall - The Mountaineers would take care of the football in the 2022 season, but struggle to put points on the board. Their defense showed bright spots, but the inability for the offense to consistently score would be the downfall in the end.

 

Largest Win: 15-3 over Army

Nothing highlights a team's inability to score more than its largest win being a game in which they only scored one touchdown. The defense would shine in this game as DE Mike Anderson would have 4 TFL and 1.5 Sacks and the WVU defense would hold Army to 97 yards passing on 14 completions.

 

Largest Loss: 29-3 to Texas

After 2 heartbreaking losses, one from last second KSU Hail Mary, and the other a 4 point loss where WVU got down to the 4 as time expired, the Mountaineers would make a change at QB. Craig Guzman, the sophomore scrambler, would get the nod and promptly put up a 6/16 for 65 yard performance with 2 interceptions to go with it. Guzman would not see the field again and the Mountaineers would chalk this up to "scramblers can't throw"

 

Most Important Win: 33-28 over Oklahoma

After a season of close losses - it can't be emphasized enough how important it was for the Mountaineers to get that conference victory over Oklahoma. Musa would toss 3 TDs and add another on the ground. DT Miguel Cortes would also sack OU QB Pace Frandsen in the end zone resulting in a safety for the Mountaineers.

 

Accolades

 

All-Big XII 1st Team

FS Ryan Davis (SO)

 

All-Big XII 2nd Team

WR Avery Sterling

DE Mike Anderson

K Mike Fox

 

All-Big XII 3rd Team

CB Pedro Gathers

 

II. The Recruits

In a rebuilding effort the recruiting trail is a vital piece to expediting a team's return to competitive football. Smackemz would traverse the country in search of future Mountaineers that will return the team to glory.

 

Smackemz would gain early commitments from 4* CB Carl Wheeler and 4* TE Juan Corral. They would be quickly joined by another 4* CB Craig Francis and 3* P Jack Greathouse. Showing an emphasis on keeping quality prospects at home - smackemz would also sign a duo of West Virginia 4* prospects in OG Joseph Hattenbach and DE Thomas Hubbard. Wheeler and Francis look to redshirt and then lead a talented secondary in a couple of years.

 

In total, West Virginia recruited 25 players in its newest class, including six 4-star players. The Mountaineers were able to recruit a full class, which is a major improvement over the 19 players they brought in last season.

 

WVU Recruits by Number of Stars

 

	2021	2022
5-star	0	0
4-star	6	6
3-star	13	15
2-star	0	4
1-star	0	0

 

III. The Future

Next year West Virginia needs to replace 16 starters, including their starting quarterback, leading receiver, and top rated defenders. Although WVU could take a short term step back in 2023 - the team is primed to take a major step forward in 2024 as smackemz is able to get more of his recruits on the field. Here are 6 players we’re excited to see donning the old gold and blue next year. (Grades are Overall / Potential, before progressions. School year as of the 2023 season)

 

QB Dzanan Reid

4-star (FR), C/C+

The QB of the future - it is rumored that after redshirting the 2022 season that Reid will likely start his redshirt freshman year and could be a 4 year starter. One of smackemz' first recruits, reports out of practice last season already had folks marveling with Reid's arm strength. With offense being the Achilles heel of the WVU attack the past few seasons, look for Reid to step in and make a major impact.

 

SS Dante Smith

4-star (SO), B/C+

Smith was a special teams performer as he patiently sat behind senior Jacob Thompson. Thompson is gone now and Smith looks to take on the starting SS role for the Mountaineers. Coming into the 2022 season he already showed great strength and agility for a safety and should provide excitement for the Mountaineers.

OLB Mike Johnson

4-star (Fr), C/C+

Another talented 4* prospect from smackemz initial recruiting class. Johnson is a pass rushing specialist at the outside linebacker position, and with WVU looking to transition to a 3-4 base defense next season Johnson looks to step in and become a 4 year starter for the Mountaineers.

 

DE Robert Cabrel

4-star (Fr), C/C+

Similar to Johnson, Cabrel comes from the 2022 recruiting class as a 4* prospect. Big Rob is a prototypical 3-4 DE and will look to pair with SR DE Kyle Johnson to made the end spot for WVU. Johnson is likely the Mountaineers most talented returning player and Cabrel will look to soak up as much knowledge from him as possible during 2023.

 

RB Michael March-Lillard

4-star (Fr), C/C+

With the graduation of Mario Allen - March-Lillard looks to step in and be the backfield mate to the talented receiving back (Jr) Chad Dolis. Michael will look to split carries with Dolis and also take on the primary return duties for the Mountaineers

 

CB Andre Bell

4-star (So), B/B-

Bell saw some action during the 2022 season, but with the graduation of Pedro Gathers we should see Bell take on one of the primary CB roles in 2023. There are schematic concerns, but there is optimism that Bell can overcome his poor scheme fit with his overall potential