West Virginia Football: Top 5 breakout candidates for 2017

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MORGANTOWN, WV – OCTOBER 22: Gary Jennings #12 of the West Virginia Mountaineers scores a second quarter touchdown in front of Sammy Douglas #35 and Julius Lewis #24 of the TCU Horned Frogs at Mountaineer Field on October 22, 2016 in Morgantown, West Virginia. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images) /

West Virginia lost two of their best receivers in Daikiel Shorts and Shelton Gibson. Ka’Raun White should be the primary receiver that Will Grier looks to. Gary Jennings and JUCO transfer Dominique Maiden are the other two starters at receiver.

Greg Jennings had a smaller role with West Virginia the last two years. He only caught 10 passes last year. The number of receptions he gets should skyrocket as one of Grier’s go-to targets. Jennings showed his elusiveness in the open field as a returner.

Maiden is the taller option that’ll get targeted more in the red zone. Jennings could become the next great deep threat. He averaged 16.5 yards per reception last year.

A lot of Jennings’ success directly relies on Grier. The Florida transfer QB needs to distribute the ball all over the field for to make the best use of his receivers.

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