West Virginia Football: 5 post-spring bold predictions for 2019 season

Spring was a whirlwind for the West Virginia football program, but Neal Brown and Co. weathered the storm and should field a solid product in 2019.

When West Virginia football hired Neal Brown on Jan. 4, many expected a transitional period — for coaches, players, and especially the culture. And while the coaching staff is set, player movement continues and culture is ever-evolving. Where does the program stand five months into the Neal Brown Era?

West Virginia is a routine hot-spot for transfer students, with a handful of players flirting with the school every offseason. Brown’s grabbed a few in his first couple months, including Oklahoma quarterback Austin Kendall, Temple wide receiver Sean Ryan, and Navarro College offensive lineman John Hughes. All three have multiple years of eligibility, providing immediate depth but also future potential.

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Being able to add players via the transfer market is nice for a program like WVU who struggles to corral five-star talent, but it also provides Mountaineers’ opportunities to chase greener pastures. Marcus Simms, for example, was expected to be the No. 1 target in 2019 following an impressive junior campaign, but after missing most of the spring, entered his name into the transfer portal. Sophomore-to-be Barry Moreland also intends to transfer. Center Matt Jones transferred to Youngstown State following the 2018 season.

Five Mountaineers heard their names called at the 2019 NFL Draft, while another handful landed on training camp rosters as undrafted free agents. This, of course, wasn’t Brown’s doing, but it’s still proof that players can reach their NFL dreams at WVU; 30 ‘Eers have been drafted since 2010. Can Brown steer anyone from the 2019 team to those same heights?

The overall picture for the West Virginia football program will surely change by the time the first game rolls around, and the upcoming predictions could be big influencers as to why.