2022 WVU Tight End Preview
The West Virginia Mountaineers have had a love-hate relationship with the tight end position in the early part of Head Coach Neal Brown‘s era. Historically, the offense uses them relatively infrequently as skill players. As a result, their contributions often go unnoticed by fans, until, of course, they are notably absent from the depth chart. Against Minnesota, for example, West Virginia found itself down several tight ends. Because of their absence, the offense suffered. As we continue our Spring preview series, we provide our 2022 WVU tight-end preview.
A Changing of Philosophy?
For a team that has not used tight ends frequently over the last few years, West Virginia sure focused on it heavily in the last two recruiting classes. Indeed, when Brown arrived in Morgantown, the roster featured just three tight ends. In the last two recruiting cycles alone, the Mountaineers added four players to the room. They also added graduate transfer Brian Polendey to the roster this Winter to shore up blocking.
In total, our 2022 WVU tight end preview looks at six returning bodies to the tight end room. That represents a significant jump in just a couple of years. That has us wondering, then, whether the Mountaineers intend to change their philosophy to focus more on the tight end.
Notably, Offensive Coordinator Graham Harrell certainly relied on 12 personnel (one running back and two tight ends) at USC this past season. Indeed, out of their top 10 receiver leaders not lined up at running back, five USC tight ends made the cut. Those five combined for 47 receptions, 566 yards, and three touchdowns in a single season. By comparison, WVU’s tight ends combined for 47 receptions, 338 yards, and two touchdowns total over the last three seasons.
We can say this. Harrell has not shied away from relying on tight ends. We can also say this. A team does not use six full scholarships on a position group it does not intend to use.
Looking at Personnel
West Virginia is predictably inexperienced at the tight end position. Mike O’Laughlin returns for his senior season (though he has one more year of eligibility in 2023 should he choose to use it). Over the past three seasons, O’Laughlin tallied 790 snaps. In that time, he contributed 32 receptions, 226 yards, and a touchdown. Polendey has played as well, but his contribution has primarily been in blocking situations. Those two should anchor plenty of two-tight-end sets over the course of the year.
Beyond those two, the Mountaineers rely on four promising underclassmen. Treylan Davis and Victor Wikstrom return as redshirt freshmen. Between them, they contributed 12 offensive snaps. That said, Wikstrom remains raw but looks the part of a skilled athlete measuring six feet four inches and weighing in at over 250 pounds. Davis is a bit smaller but appears to be a combo tight end able to block and catch.
Incoming Freshmen
West Virginia also added two more bodies to the room with its most recent recruiting class. Corbin Page represents the top-rated in-state recruit this season. Despite some early rumors that Page might flip his commitment to Virginia Tech, he stayed the course and signed in the Fall. To many, Page’s future remained unclear heading into his senior season. Some believed he would fill out and convert to an offensive lineman. That said, the staff saw Page on the camp circuit and came away impressed with his athletic abilities at the tight end position. He may prove to be a critical pass catcher at the position.
Finally, WVU added De’Carlo Donaldson late in the recruiting cycle. Donaldson lined up in the slot and at tight end in high school. His skill set lends to both positions, and he could easily be the most versatile athlete in the room. That said, neither Page nor Donaldson enrolled early, so we would not expect them to see much playing time this season.
Can We Expect More Production?
Professional football has been evolving over recent years to rely more heavily on pass-catching tight ends. As a result, college coaches have also put a premium on showcasing the position. Harrell proved no exception at USC and North Texas. Therefore, we certainly expect to see the tight ends rotated on the field in meaningful ways, both as blockers and skill players, in 2022. The result will certainly add dimension and give whichever quarterback takes the helm next season an extra safety valve. It is too early to say this with certainty, but we believe fans clamoring for tight ends should be pleased with the results this season.
