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West Virginia football: 5 breakout candidates for 2021 season

By Phil Poling

MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE - DECEMBER 31: Wide receiver Reese Smith #15 of the West Virginia Mountaineers runs the ball for a two-point conversion in the second half against the Army Black Knights at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium on December 31, 2020 in Memphis, Tennessee. The Mountaineers defeated the Black Knights 24-21. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE - DECEMBER 31: Wide receiver Reese Smith #15 of the West Virginia Mountaineers runs the ball for a two-point conversion in the second half against the Army Black Knights at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium on December 31, 2020 in Memphis, Tennessee. The Mountaineers defeated the Black Knights 24-21. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /
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LUBBOCK, TEXAS – OCTOBER 24: Cornerback Dreshun Miller #5 of the West Virginia Mountaineers signals after breaking up a pass during the first half of the college football game against the Texas Tech Red Raiders on October 24, 2020 at Jones AT&T Stadium in Lubbock, Texas. (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images)
LUBBOCK, TEXAS – OCTOBER 24: Cornerback Dreshun Miller #5 of the West Virginia Mountaineers signals after breaking up a pass during the first half of the college football game against the Texas Tech Red Raiders on October 24, 2020 at Jones AT&T Stadium in Lubbock, Texas. (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images) /

CB. 2. Junior. Charles Woods. player. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. 877

Mountaineer newcomer Charles Woods spent the last few seasons with Illinois State of the FCS. They didn’t participate in the 2020 season due to COVID-19, but Woods racked up 18 starts as a freshman and sophomore the two years prior.

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Woods will provide an immediate boost to the Mountaineers’ secondary, especially with the loss of starting cornerback Dreshun Miller to Auburn. The void created by Miller’s departure is a large one, though. He deflected eight passes last year and notched one interception while adding 31 tackles from his starting cornerback position.

The 6-foot-1 Woods could provide a similar punch in his first campaign with West Virginia, as he tallied 13 pass breakups and four interceptions in 2019 with Illinois State — good enough for second in the Missouri Valley Football Conference; Woods added 48 tackles on the season. He might be able to provide help on special teams, too, both returning punts and as a gunner tracking down the return man.

One concern with Woods is the lack of a 2020 season. It’s not some rare occurrence, player’s take a redshirt season all the time, but it is worth mentioning. If he doesn’t get off to a hot start, this could be why. I’m expecting a seamless transition, though.

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