[2023] WVU Current Redshirt Review

[smackemz]

In prior articles we have taken a look at each redshirt freshman and how they performed on the field.  In this piece we will look at each of WVU's current redshirts and try to project their role in the 2024 season.  

DT - Riley Jennings - So - B Overall. B Potential  - Jennings saw some action during his true freshman season, but since WVU had an anchor DT in Senior Miguel Cortes they mutually decided to give Jennings the rare redshirt during his Sophomore season.  The reports out of the facility are that Jennings is already one of the more talented players on the roster, so it's likely that he will see starting reps going into the 2024 season.  A balanced player, Jennings has the ability to rush the passer and to slow down the run. 

Role Projection - Starting DT

OH - Joseph Hattenbach - Fr - B Overall. C+ Potential - Hattenbach was the highest rated recruit in the 2022 recruiting class and is thought within the facility to be one of the better guards on the roster.  WVU has really emphasized recruiting the trenches the past few cycles, and Hattenbach is kind of the tip of the spear as far as those recruits getting onto the field.  Hattenbach excels is pass protection, so the redshirt improvement plan was to focus on being able to improve in the run

Role Projection - Starting OG

CB - Craig Francis - Fr - B Overall, C Potential - The state of the WVU secondary almost necessitates that Francis will likely be thrown into a starting role.  WVU will only be returning a couple of corners from the 2023 team, so Francis will almost certainly be on the starting roster.  

Role Projection - #CB2/Nickel CB

CB - Carl Wheeler - Fr - B Overall, B Potential - Wheeler is in a similar boat as Craig Francis.  The state of the CB room will almost certainly require Wheeler to play a significant number of snaps.  The coaching staff knew going into last year's recruiting class that they would be in this situation - so they went out and got the highly ranked CB duo.  

Role Projection - #CB2/Nickel CB

FS - Justin Hesse - Fr - C Overall, D+ Potential - Another blue chip recruit for the Mountaineers - they were able to land Hesse without  a lot of resistance.  With Ryan Davis returning for his senior season - we'll likely see Hesse play mostly on special teams his (Fr) season.  

Role Projection - Special Teams

DE - Thomas Hubbard - Fr - C Overall, B Potential - Continuing our blue chip trench rebuild - Hubbard is another defensive lineman that got heavy focus from the Mountaineers.  WVU looks to have a deep defensive line and Hubbard will rotate in with our current starters 

Role Projection - Rotational Starter/Special Teams

RB - Oscar Leighton - Fr - C Overall, B Potential - Leighton is a receiving back out of Pennsylvania and has good ability to run the ball as well as slide out and catch passes in 5 receiver sets.  With Dolis/March-Lillard in front of him early, look for Leighton to contribute mostly on special teams early in his career

Role Projection - Special Teams

WR - Michael Gilreath - Fr - C Overall, C+ Potential / WR Graham Harrison - Fr - C Overall, C+ Potential/ WR Jason Steele - Fr - C Overall, C+ Potential - Gilreath, Harrison, and Steele kind of fall into the same bucket.  We know that the top 2 receiving options will be filled by Kevin Purcell and Leo Gilbert - outside of that the reps are up for grabs.  Daniel Murray saw time as a (Fr) this season, so it'll be a camp battle for who fills out the back end of the receiving depth chart.

Role Projection - Depth WR/Special Teams

TE - Juan Corral - Fr - C Overall, B Potential - One of WVU's exciting recruits, the blue chip tight end should see immediate playing time within the offense.  Corral shows good ability to get vertical for a tight end - so look for him to compete with (Jr) Anthony Jackson for TE #1

Role Projection - Starting TE

CB - Michael Root - Fr - C Overall, A Potential - The thing that excited the coaching staff about Root was his seemingly untapped potential.  They immediately redshirted him and have been working hard with him on his fundamentals.  The staff will work hard to get Root on the field as much as possible in order to expediate his learning of the game. 

Role Projection - Dime CB/ Special Teams

SS - Rohan Williams - Fr - C Overall. C Potential / OLB - Sean Williams - Fr - C Overall, C+ Potential / OT - Ignacio Alviter - Fr - C Overall - C Potential - These guys will likely be limited to special teams or depth roles during their redshirt freshman year.  There is potential for them to become contributors later in their careers, but for now we do not see a major impact from them. 

Role Projection - Depth