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West Virginia Football: 3 early signees who’ll make instant impact in 2018

By Andrew Miller

MORGANTOWN, WV - OCTOBER 28: The West Virginia Mountaineers take the field against the Oklahoma State Cowboys at Mountaineer Field on October 28, 2017 in Morgantown, West Virginia. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
MORGANTOWN, WV - OCTOBER 28: The West Virginia Mountaineers take the field against the Oklahoma State Cowboys at Mountaineer Field on October 28, 2017 in Morgantown, West Virginia. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) /
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The three-star tight end, and two sport athlete, from Oak Park, IL, Mike O’Laughlin is one of the top ranked players from his state. O’Laughlin is ranked 31 in the nation among all tight ends, and is the ninth best prospect from Illinois.

West Virginia has a stacked receiving corps returning in 2018, including All-American wide receiver David Sills V. More importantly, the Mountaineers have rising junior quarterback Will Grier coming back to lead a very explosive offense.

Holgorsen doesn’t traditionally use a tight end in his offensive scheme. But, O’Laughlin has the size and athleticism to fit in as a wide receiver, that could line up alongside Sills V and Gary Jennings. And, he should get some looks as early as next season.

The Mountaineers use a variety of wide receivers in the offense. Sills V, Jennings, Ka’Raun White, and Marcus Simms all bring unique skill sets to the table and had big seasons in their own right. At 6-foot-5 and 230 pounds, O’Laughlin is a matchup nightmare that Big 12 defenses will have to deal with.

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