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West Virginia Football: Projected 2-deep depth chart for 2017

By Connor Muldowney

MORGANTOWN, WV - SEPTEMBER 03: Justin Crawford #25 of the West Virginia Mountaineers runs the ball against the Missouri Tigers in the first half of the game at Milan Puskar Stadium on September 3, 2016 in Morgantown, West Virginia. West Virginia defeated Missouri 26-11. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
MORGANTOWN, WV - SEPTEMBER 03: Justin Crawford #25 of the West Virginia Mountaineers runs the ball against the Missouri Tigers in the first half of the game at Milan Puskar Stadium on September 3, 2016 in Morgantown, West Virginia. West Virginia defeated Missouri 26-11. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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West Virginia football enters the 2017 season with some question marks at important positions but what does the two-deep depth chart look like?

Six years into his West Virginia football tenure, Dana Holgorsen tied his best record as head coach. Everything seemed to fall in place for the underrated team, such as breakout stars Skyler Howard and Justin Crawford.

West Virginia finished the season 10-3 with a trip to the Russell Athletic Bowl where they lost to Miami, 31-14. Still, the Mountaineers had a successful season which builds momentum for the future — or so fans hope. Holgorsen’s first season finished with a 10-3 mark, though, and the Mountaineers failed to break the eight-win plateau for the next four years.

Adding some strong pieces to this year’s squad could be a step in the right direction and the Mountaineers seem poised to finish with 10 wins once again. However, the team is returning just eight total starters and that could cause some growing pains early.

Let’s take a look at what the Mountaineers’ two-deep depth chart looks like for 2017.

Offensive Line

Starting tackles: Yodny Cajuste (LT), Colten McKivitz (RT)
Backups: Ja’Shaun Seider (LT), Josh Sills (RT)

Unfortunately, the Mountaineers have to replace their starting left tackle from a season ago. Fortunately, it’s in the form of junior Yodny Cajuste who had started six games during the 2015 season as a redshirt freshman before injuring his knee and missing the remainder of the year. He was poised to come back healthier in 2016, but suffered another knee injury in the season-opener. Now, he’s back and looking to finally live up to his potential.

On the other hand, Colten McKivitz started 10 games as a redshirt freshman at right tackle in 2016 and was one of the best in the conference. In fact, he earned All-Big 12 Freshman first-team honors. Sophomore Ja’HShaun Seider and freshman Josh Sills look to be backups.

Starting guards: Kyle Bosch (LG), Grant Lingafelter (RG)
Backups: Alec Shriner (LG), Chase Behrndt (RG)

Senior Kyle Bosch is back starting at the left guard spot and he might just be the best at his position in the Big 2. The all-conference talent will be starting with fellow senior Grant Lingafelter who is getting his first chance to be the full-time starter. He did, however, see action in eight games last season. Sophomore Alex Shriner and freshman Chase Behrndt are waiting in the wings for their chance to start in 2018.

Starting center: Matt Jones
Backup: Kelby Wickline

Matt Jones is entering his first year as the full-time center for the Mountaineers, but he has the potential to be a solid piece in the middle for the next few seasons. He saw action in just one game as a redshirt freshman in 2016, but it’s his time to prove himself. Former UTSA lineman and JUCO transfer Kelby Wickline is expected to be the No. 2, but he will get some snaps.

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