We continue our Spring preview series for the West Virginia Mountaineers football team by providing our 2023 WVU wide receivers preview. We have already covered both quarterbacks and running backs.
The Give and Take of the Transfer Portal
West Virginia witnessed fewer outbound transfers between the 2022 and 2023 transfer seasons. Still, the outbound transfers and the graduates from the expansive receiver room leave the Mountaineers potentially thin at wideout. Kaden Prather (Maryland) and Reese Smith (Liberty) entered the portal just after the Mountaineers’ 5-7 season ended.
Prather saw 52 receptions for 501 yards and three touchdowns across the 11 games he played for WVU in 2022. He accrued 64 receptions for 676 yards in his two years with the program. Reese Smith amassed 42 receptions for 457 yards and two touchdowns in his three years with the program, with 205 yards in 2022.
These two made up 25% of receiving yards last season, making this a considerable loss for the program statistically. On the upside, they only accounted for four touchdowns for the Mountaineers in 2022. However, on top of losing one-fourth of their production from the previous season to the portal, graduates Bryce Ford-Wheaton and Sam James accounted for an additional 52% of the 2022 production. In total, these four players amassed 2,126 (77%) of the yards of the 2022 season.
What Does This Mean for 2023?
While 77% is a significant loss in production for the wide receivers, the program has the bodies to embrace its “next man up” philosophy. On the other hand, while they can be replaced, the contributed numbers may not be as easy to replicate.
It’s difficult to say what this loss will do to the expansive receiver room’s upward trend over the last couple of years, especially with seven receivers who have seen action returning for this season. Nine players are returning, which can make for a crowded room. After relying so heavily on James and Ford-Wheaton, with notable backup from Prather and Smith, it will be hard to predict who will take the step forward and lead the room. While those returning could be significant to the upcoming seasons’ production, the space has added five new receivers and one who has switched to this position.
Returners With Potential
While it may be hard to tell who will make a difference among those returning, the opportunities to come forward and lead the room will be there.
Graeson Malashevich has steadily climbed the depth chart, playing 10 games in 2020 and 13 in 2021. A lower leg injury capped him at eight games late last season, so we expect him to make a comeback for the 2023 season. Preston Fox stepped up last year and played in 12 games. By the end of the season, he totaled 41 yards, four catches, and a touchdown. Jeremiah Aaron finished 2022 with ten career games that garnered 12 catches for 124 yards and a touchdown vs. Towson. Playing in 11 games last season, Cortez Braham was the fifth-leading receiver with 14 catches for 147 yards. Davis Mallinger also returns. Fans might also see increased contributions from walk-ons C.J. Cole and Tyler Evans.
New Additions
Rounding out our 2023 WVU comprehensive receivers preview, we look at the newest additions to the program.
West Virginia added plenty in the off-season, including EJ Horton, Noah Massey, Rodney Gallagher III, Ja’Shaun Poke, Devin Carter, and Traylon Ray on scholarship. Additionally, they add Taran Fitzpatrick and Hudson Clement as walk-ons.
The expansive receiver room features 12 scholarship bodies and four walk-ons who are potential contributors. Among those 12, Devin Carter offers the most experience, and he indeed showed off his tall frame and possession skills at the Old Gold and Blue Game. He has yet to be the alpha, but he certainly has the skills and the opportunity to do so in Morgantown.
Ray and Gallagher enter the fray as four-star true freshmen. How quickly they will adjust to the speed at the college level will dictate how quickly they see their opportunities. Both offer potential electricity out wide.
Photo courtesy: Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports
