West Virginia Football: 5 newcomers who could start in 2018

If you’re Dana Holgorsen, you have to feel good about landing four-star safety Kwantel Raines over programs such as Penn State, Michigan State, Ole Miss, TCU, Wisconsin, LSU and Florida. He was a highly-touted prospect out of Aliquippa, Penn., but decided to commit to play for West Virginia over local programs Penn State and Pitt.

At 6-foot-3, 190 pounds, Raines has impressive size for a defensive back and plenty of athleticism, too. He can play both sides of the ball, but West Virginia will likely project him as a safety.

Kenny Robinson and Dravon Askew-Henry are both expected to return to start at the safety spots while Kyzir White will be departing from the ‘Spur’ position. That’s more of a hybrid linebacker/safety position which is essentially an extra defensive back. This is where Raines could come into play.

Although JUCO transfer Charlie Benton is enrolled early at West Virginia, Raines has the higher upside and could swipe the ‘Spur’ position when he steps foot on campus this summer.