Big 12 Football: Every team’s most important newcomer

4. West Virginia Mountaineers:

Much like Chris Klieman at Kansas State, West Virginia head football coach Neil Brown continues to shape the Mountaineer roster in his image and likeness. This season the Mountaineers come off their first bowl win since 2015 and their first winning season under Brown.

Quarterback Jarret Doege and running back Leddie Brown return to lead the offense; however, there are issues with depth at key offensive positions. However, the Mountaineers did a masterful job of addressing those issues through recruiting and the portal.

Virginia Tech offensive guard Doug Nester could be considered the best transfer portal signing of any school this cycle. Nester was a high school All-American who played 17 games for Virginia Tech and their highly effective running game.

Nester bolsters a group in need of a plug-and-play starter at left guard. Expect Nester to start game one for the Mountaineers. Wide receiver Kaden Prather is the highest-rated skill player West Virginia signed out of high school.

The Germantown, Maryland native looks legit off the bus at 6-foot-3 and 220 pounds. Prather gives the Mountaineers their most athletic playmaker at receiver since Tayvon Austin. Not only does Prather understand how to bully smaller corners, but he also can win 50/50 balls.

Don’t be fooled by his size, either. Prather can run past people in the open field as well.