West Virginia Football: 5 post-spring bold predictions for 2019 season
By Phil Poling
3. Offense survives sans Simms
Marcus Simms was a really good player for West Virginia in his limited role over the past three seasons. He burst onto the scene as a sophomore in 2017 with three touchdowns in the first two games. The opponent’s were East Carolina and Delaware State, but he flashed his brilliance and Mountaineer Nation never forgot.
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No longer will you see Simms sporting the flying W-V, though, as of April 29 he entered his name into the transfer portal. Putting one’s name in the portal doesn’t necessarily mean a transfer is definite, but it affords other schools an opportunity to reach out to gauge the interest of the transferring-player.
But the Mountaineers’ passing game will be just fine without Simms. Sam James is expected to breakout and be the next big thing at the position. Both Tevin Bush and T.J. Simmons are ready for larger roles within the offense. And the running backs and tight ends are expected to contribute to the ‘Eers passing attack, too.
It hurts losing Simms. But the wide receiver position continues to be a deep one at West Virginia University. Ricky Johns. Dillon Spalding, Bryce Wheaton. These are all names you’ll hear in 2019.