West Virginia Football: 5 players to watch this Spring

NORMAN, OK - NOVEMBER 25: Wide receiver Marcus Simms #8 of the West Virginia Mountaineers waits to return a punt against the Oklahoma Sooners at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on November 25, 2017 in Norman, Oklahoma. Oklahoma defeated West Virginia 59-31. (Photo by Brett Deering/Getty Images) /

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(Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /

Rising junior wide receiver Marcus Simms is in a similar role to that of Pettaway entering Spring Practice. However, Simms posted a much better stat line, for his position, than Pettaway did. He caught 35 passes for more than 600 receiving yards and five touchdowns.

Simms also highlighted his deep threat ability by averaging just shy of 19.0 yards per catch. Dana Holgorsen also entrusted Simms with returning some punts last year. It’s likely he’ll be kept in the same role for some of the 2018 campaign.

Mainly, Simms played a huge role in returning kicks. He averaged more than 26.0 yards per kick return last year, a mark much better than the average special teams returner. That unique skill set is very valuable to the entirety of West Virginia’s fortunes this season.

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Beyond Simms, there’s a lot of talent returning in the West Virginia receiving corps. All-American David Sills V, rising senior Gary Jennings, and former Alabama Crimson Tide transfer T.J. Simmons. There’s no limit to what this group of wide receivers can do with a top quarterback like Grier throwing their way.

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