West Virginia football: Way-too-early 2-deep depth chart projection for 2019
By Phil Poling
Running Back
The deepest position on the 2019 West Virginia football team is undoubtedly the stable of running backs. There’s sophomore Leddie Brown, senior Kenndy McKoy, senior Martell Pettaway — sorry, those are just the guys who compiled over 400 rushing yards each last year. The ‘Eers also have sophomore Alec Sinkfield, who showed promise in his lone start, and then there’s incoming freshman running back Tony Mathis who’s expected to make an impact upon joining. With so many bodies, rotations will be welcomed at the position, but somebody will prove (already has?) to be a go-to back.
Starting running back: Kennedy McKoy
Reserve running back: Leddie Brown
McKoy wasn’t the starter last season, but he received the larger share of carries after proving seemingly game-after-game that he was the best of the group. He tallied 802 yards and eight touchdowns on 145 carries, leading the team in each category. McKoy’s production has increased each year as his role has increased too; don’t be surprised if he eclipses the 1,000-yard mark in 2019.
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With Martell Pettaway contributing whether he starts or stands on the sidelines in sweatpants, Leddie Brown will be the first running back to spell McKoy. Brown showed flashes a brilliance last season, finishing third on the team in rushing with 466 yards
Starting tight end/fullback: Jovani Haskins
Reserve tight dnd/fullback: T.J. Banks
Jovani Haskins added depth behind Trevon Wesco last season, but is expected to improve upon his 16-reception, 148-yard campaign. Coach Neal Brown didn’t utilize the tight ends much at all at Troy in 2018, but Haskins creates mismatch problems with nearly every defender at 6-foot-5. Redshirt freshman T.J. Banks is another tight end, with similar size as Haskins, that could contribute at the position.