For someone
like Menos Hiras who has been keeping the West Virginia Mountaineers on his
radar, the entry of new players into the fold is always a reason for
excitement. The men’s football team has gotten a lot of attention of late—a new
coach and some players gone—but they’ve since added a few names to their
roster.
This year is
all about change for the Mountaineers. Their coach of several years, Dana
Holgorsen, has been replaced by for Troy coach Neal Brown. With a different man
calling the shots, the Mountaineers are adopting a new strategy on the field
and will be assisted by a different set of staff, from recruitment down to
social media.
But change
happens all the time—every year, in fact. For this new season, West Virginia
University (WVU) welcomed a number of enrollees who will join the Mountaineers.
Junior college offensive lineman John Hughes is one of them. He is joined by
wide receiver Sean Ryan, who hails from Temple, and transfers Jarret Doege,
George Campbell and Alonzo Addae.
Furthermore,
the team’s new members include:
·
Jared Bartlett (LB)
·
Donavan Beaver (OL)
·
Tyler Connolly (OL)
·
Nicktroy Fortune (CB)
·
Jordan Jefferson (DL)
·
Ali Jennings (WR)
·
Graeson Malashevich (WR)
·
Tony Mathis (RB)
·
Tavian Mayo (CB)
·
Kolton McGhee (K/P)
·
Parker Moorer (OL)
·
Tykee Smith (S)
·
Jalen Thornton (DL)
·
Winston Wright (WR)
Menos Hiras
says the team had four signees who ended up not enrolling at WVU. Wide receiver
Terence Doston opted to sign a professional baseball contract with the
Milwaukee Brewers. As of the end of June this year, safety Rashean Lynn,
offensive lineman Brandon Yates, and four-star safety Osita Smith had yet to
enroll, putting their status with the Mountaineers on the air. Some experts
believe that their absence, Osita’s more so, could be a potentially big blow to
the team.
