From West Virgina Mountaineers On SI · · 1m 50s
WVU's game day two-deep for UT Martin, read closely
West Virginia handed out its depth chart before kickoff against UT Martin, and the names tell you who plays and who finally debuts.
In brief
West Virginia handed out its depth chart before kickoff against UT Martin, and the names tell you who plays and who finally debuts. Against an FCS opponent in a likely blowout, the two-deep is less a hierarchy than a playing-time plan, and the third string may see the field too. Originally reported by West Virgina…
The chart, handed out
WVU's communications staff passed out the game day depth chart shortly before kickoff. Almost nothing moved from the version released earlier in the week.
“Not much has changed since the initial release earlier in the week”
Quarterback stays unsettled
Mike Hawkins Jr. and Scotty Fox Jr. are listed with an OR between them. No separation on paper, which means both should take real snaps.
“QB: Mike Hawkins Jr. OR Scotty Fox Jr.”
Backfield and pass catchers
Cam Cook leads at running back with Amari Latimer behind him. Jaden Bray, DJ Epps and John Neider start at X, Y and Z, with Josh Sapp or Ryan Ward at tight end.
Five up front
Kevin Brown, Nick Krahe, Wes King, Amare Grayson and Carsten Casady go left to right. Malik Agbo, Lamarcus Dillard, Josh Aisosa, Cam Griffin and Aidan Woods back them up.
Freshmen get their first
An FCS opponent means room for players who never made the two-deep. Quarterback Jyron Hughley, back Lawrence Autry, receiver Landon Drumm and linemen Dillard and Woods should debut.
“should make their Mountaineer debut”
Wiley out, Joy in
Darius Wiley is gone for the season, so Emerson Joy, who came over from Alberta College in Canada, becomes the backup end behind Zeke Durham-Campbell.
More bodies on the edge
Defensive coordinator Zac Alley says redshirt freshmen Wilnerson Telemaque and Brandon Caesar could also take snaps at end. Up front it's Corey McIntyre Jr. and Nate Gabriel.
Kickers, returners, kickoff
Jack Cassidy or Nate Flower handles placekicks, Bryan Hansen punts, and DJ Epps or Matt Sieg returns. Kickoff is 1 p.m. ET on ESPN+.
“The Mountaineers and Skyhawks will get the action underway at 1 p.m. ET.”
What matters most
Against an FCS opponent in a likely blowout, the two-deep is less a hierarchy than a playing-time plan, and the third string may see the field too.
