West Virginia Football: With David Sills V returning, Mountaineers will be explosive in 2018

First, Will Grier confirmed that he would be returning in 2018 to direct the West Virginia football offense.

Grier won’t be alone next fall, as wide receiver David Sills V has now confirmed the same.

Before all that, West Virginia (7-5) takes on Utah in the Zaxby’s Heart of Dallas Bowl later this year.

The Mountaineers struggled down the stretch after Grier suffered a gruesome finger injury, losing to Texas and Oklahoma after posting back-to-back wins vs. Iowa State and Kansas State to move to 7-3 on the season.

Sills caught 60 passes for 980 yards and 18 touchdowns. He had four 100-yard games and five with at least seven receptions. In wins over East Carolina, Texas Tech and Baylor, Sills caught three touchdowns.

With Grier, Sills and possibly top receiver Gary Jennings returning off a 1,000-yard season, there is no doubting that Dana Holgerson will have plenty of firepower to work with next year. Running back Kennedy McKoy will be a junior after rushing for 565 yards.

Sills, who was once recruited as a teenager to play quarterback for Lane Kiffin when he was coaching at Southern Cal, bounced around between West Virginia and junior college before his breakout season.

“I look forward to our bowl game, and having another year with my teammates here in Morgantown,” Sills said. “WVU holds a special place in my heart, and I am looking forward to seeing what this team can accomplish next year.”

Grier transferred from Florida, posting 3,490 yards and 34 touchdowns. He completed 64 percent of his passes and had 12 interceptions before his injury, adding 122 yards on the ground.

“West Virginia is my home and I couldn’t be more excited about the future here,” he said.

West Virginia started the year 3-1, scoring 50-plus points in wins vs. East Carolina, Delaware State and Kansas. They lost to TCU, 31-24, but rebounded with wins over Texas Tech and Baylor before falling to Oklahoma State.

Next: Predictions for all 41 bowl games and CFB Playoff

The Sooners, who won the Big 12, graduate Heisman winner Baker Mayfield. Oklahoma State will see Mason Rudolph exit and TCU loses Kenny Hill, leaving Grier as the top quarterback returning in the conference — and one of the leaders in the nation.