WVU has been anything but quiet in acquiring JUCO players and transfers this off-season. Two of their newly acquired players are likely to come in and start the season as their respective positions. Those same two players were just recently named to Athlon Sports College Football’s Top 25 Impact Transfers for 2013 list.
Charles Sims, WVU’s latest edition from Houston, is the first player on the list for WVU. Athlon Sports writer Steve Lassan ranked Sims #2 on the list. Here’s what he had to say about Sims and WVU:
Sims’ decision to leave Houston was a huge setback for the Cougars’ offense and a huge pickup for West Virginia. In three years with Houston, Sims rushed for 2,370 yards and 29 touchdowns, while catching 158 passes for 1,707 yards and eight scores. The senior is stepping into a crowded backfield, but his all-around ability (and excellent speed) should make him a candidate to fill in at running back and also contribute as a receiver. Expect Sims to make plenty of big plays for West Virginia’s offense this year.
Sims is most likely going to get the starting nod at running back, possibly sharing time with the likes of Andrew Buie, Dustin Garrison and JUCO transfer Dreamius Smith, giving WVU one of the most dynamic backfields in college football. Sims is projected as the 5th best running back in next year’s 2014 NFL Draft and is expected to do big things this season.
Next on the list is former Florida State quarterback Clint Trickett. Trickett was ranked at #14. Here’s what Lassan said about him:
With Jameis Winston expected to start for Florida State, it was an easy decision for Trickett to transfer in search of an opportunity to start. The Florida native is no stranger to Morgantown, as his father (Rick) coached at West Virginia from 1976-79 and 2001-06. Trickett threw for 947 yards and seven touchdowns in two years in Tallahassee, which included starts against Clemson and Wake Forest in 2011. The Mountaineers finished spring practice with Paul Millard and Ford Childress in a dead heat for the No. 1 spot on the depth chart. Trickett’s experience should help him in the quarterback battle, but Millard and Childress have a slight edge entering the fall to run Dana Holgorsen’s offense.
Trickett is also expected to start at QB this upcoming season after leaving FSU in hopes of starting elsewhere. The QB situation at WVU is still unclear but most analysts and fans expect Trickett to get the starting nod come August. Trickett still has two years of eligibility remaining.
With WVU staying active this summer, fans now have a new outlook on an offense that was once thought to be possibly one of the worst they’ve seen in years. So far WVU has added a quarterback, two running backs, and a wide receiver who are all expected to contribute. Look out, WVU fans.
