West Virginia football: 3 players stand out early for 2020 Senior Bowl

Three West Virginia football players were named to the 2020 Reese’s Senior Bowl Watch List, college’s most premier all star game.

While many are anticipating the beginning of the 2019 college football season, it’s never too early to prepare for the 2020 NFL Draft. Underclassmen like Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa and LSU safety Grant Delpit are well-known commodities, but plenty of seniors are flying under the radar. Luckily there’s an all-star game just for them in Mobile, Ala. — the Reese’s Senior Bowl.

Nine participants in the 2019 Senior Bowl wound up being first-round draft picks, while another 84 players were taken in rounds two through seven of the 2019 NFL Draft. That total includes Will Grier (third round), Yodny Cajuste (third round), Gary Jennings (fourth round), Trevon Wesco (fourth round) and David Long (sixth round), all of whom played in last year’s Senior Bowl. David Sills somehow went undrafted, but signed with the Buffalo Bills as a free agent. It’s safe to say that the previous Mountaineers have laid a solid foundation for potential-future Senior Bowlers.

On the cusp of the 2019 season, the Senior Bowl released their annual Watch List with over 200 college seniors. It includes three WVU football players — wide receiver George Campbell, offensive lineman Colton McKivitz and long snapper Rex Sunahara. Those who didn’t make the cut could still be put on the watch list mid-season and earn an invitation to the game, though.

Related: The best 2020 NFL Draft prospect from each Big 12 school

Campbell is a first-year graduate student for the Mountaineers. He transferred from Florida State after playing for two head coaches and dealing with multiple injuries, but still has a bright outlook with WVU. He’s only hauled in 13 career receptions for 206 yards, but stands 6-foot-4 and could blossom into a solid contributor with his fresh start in Morgantown.

McKivitz is an obvious pick for the Senior Bowl, having started for three seasons at West Virginia in the trenches.

The all-star game isn’t so much about the game, though, but instead displaying your talents throughout the week — your preparation, how you handle different situations, etc. McKivitz will get a taste of that this season, too, as he moves from the right side of the line where he became a staple for the ‘Eers to left tackle — arguably the most important position in football. It’s a team-based need after losing Cajuste to the NFL, but the next level is all about versatility. If he’s able to impress the coaches at the Senior Bowl, McKivitz could see his draft stock soar.

The final Mountaineer named to the Senior Bowl’s 2020 Watch List is Sunahara. He’s one of 10 long snappers listed, so they are focused on finding the best of the best. And at 6-foot-6 with experience on punts, field goals and extra points, Sunahara has great potential to impress.

The 2020 Senior Bowl will take place in Mobile, Alabama on January 29, 2020. You can find the entire watch list here.