West Virginia Football: Top 5 spring 2022 breakout candidates

MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE - DECEMBER 31: Sam James #13 of the West Virginia Mountaineers signals first down during a game against 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: Sam James #13 of the West Virginia Mountaineers signals first down during a game against 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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PHOENIX, ARIZONA – DECEMBER 28: Running back Ky Thomas #8 of the Minnesota Golden Gophers is tackled by cornerback Charles Woods #23 of the West Virginia Mountaineers as he rushes the football during the second half of the Guaranteed Rate Bowl at Chase Field on December 28, 2021 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Golden Gophers defeated the 18-6. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
PHOENIX, ARIZONA – DECEMBER 28: Running back Ky Thomas #8 of the Minnesota Golden Gophers is tackled by cornerback Charles Woods #23 of the West Virginia Mountaineers as he rushes the football during the second half of the Guaranteed Rate Bowl at Chase Field on December 28, 2021 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Golden Gophers defeated the 18-6. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

3. Charles Woods

Charles Woods might be a name casual WVU fans don’t know, but he’s a veteran on the defense with the best chance to make a huge leap forward. Woods isn’t going to have much of an option to step up though, as starting cornerbacks Nicktroy Fortune, Jackie Matthews Jr., and Daryl Porter all left the team by way of the transfer portal.

Though the transfer portal took those guys away, it gave us Woods, who played his first two seasons of college ball at Illinois State. Last season Woods played in 11 games and made four starts and was able to make the most of his playing time by having 29 tackles, four passes defended, and two interceptions.

Those numbers may not be eye-popping but his game film shows a player who constantly finds himself around the ball, and who can both play in zone and man-to-man coverage.

But if you don’t trust me on this then fine. But ShaDon Brown, WVU’s defensive back’s coach believes that Woods will be, “One of the top corners in the Big 12. He’s solidified himself as one of the anchor points of our secondary.”