Saturday Blitz
Fansided

West Virginia Football: Top 5 breakout candidates for 2017

By Andrew Miller

MORGANTOWN, WV - DECEMBER 03: Daikiel Shorts
MORGANTOWN, WV - DECEMBER 03: Daikiel Shorts /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 6
Next
STILLWATER, OK – OCTOBER 29: Running back Kennedy McKoy #4 of the West Virginia Mountaineers runs past defensive end Jarrell Owens #93 and linebacker Jordan Burton #20 of the Oklahoma State Cowboys during the first half of a NCAA football game at Boone Pickens Stadium October 29, 2016 in Stillwater, Oklahoma. (Photo by J Pat Carter/Getty Images)
STILLWATER, OK – OCTOBER 29: Running back Kennedy McKoy #4 of the West Virginia Mountaineers runs past defensive end Jarrell Owens #93 and linebacker Jordan Burton #20 of the Oklahoma State Cowboys during the first half of a NCAA football game at Boone Pickens Stadium October 29, 2016 in Stillwater, Oklahoma. (Photo by J Pat Carter/Getty Images) /

West Virginia has one of the most underrated duos at running back. Justin Crawford and Kennedy McKoy both averaged at least 6.5 yards per carry. McKoy is entering his sophomore campaign after a big freshman year.

With Crawford entering his senior season, McKoy will be the guy for West Virginia in 2018. Holgorsen will get him more carries for that reason. Especially toward the end of the season, McKoy will have fresh legs.

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

To ease Grier into the offense, West Virginia likely will start the season with more hand-offs. Opposing defenses have to worry about both the run and pass game when facing the Mountaineers. A proven backfield steadies an offense with some new faces.

McKoy could eclipse the 700-yard mark easily. Even as a backup to Crawford he’ll get a strong amount of carries every week.

Home/West Virginia Mountaineers