MORGANTOWN- Two positions. One the WVU coaching staff feels good about. The other, worries the Mountaineer fans to death.
That’s pretty much how to sum up the tight ends and the O-line at West Virginia this season.
In case you’re wondering which is which, it’s the tight ends that figure to be gargantuan-like strength for the Mountaineers in 2025 while the offensive line is not necessarily bad–or even supposed to be bad– but they are the most unproven–and unknown– spot on the team.
Both positions feature mostly new faces in the lovely transfer portal era but it’s the tight ends, who are also valuable as an extra set of pass catchers and blockers, that figure to get off to a better, smoother start.
Grayson Barnes is expected to start at the tight end spot and brings a wealth of experience, although with Northern Illinois, where he transferred from. Barnes is an excellent blocker that can act as a sixth offensive lineman on the field, and he can catch the ball well to help in the passing game too. At Northern Illinois last year, Barnes had 31 catches, 338 yards, and four touchdowns. He played an instrumental role in the Huskies huge upset of no. 5 Notre Dame, the Fighting Irish’s only loss in the regular season.
If Barnes needs a break or misses any time on the field, Ryan Ward would be the next man up. Ward transferred to WVU by way of North Carolina and did not see action a year ago for the Tarheels. Just a freshman, Ward has reportedly had an outstanding fall camp and is labeled as a big, athletic option at the position.
Martinsburg product Jacob Barrick is the projected third string player but has experience in Rich Rodriguez’s system and played for him at Jacksonville State the last couple years. Barrick is a primary blocking tight end that added six catches to his stat line a year ago. WVU could also use returning tight end Gregory Genross if things get dicey.
Now, to the offensive line. When asked what the biggest concern about this year’s Mountaineers is, nearly everyone shouts back, “The offensive line.”
Many feel if the line is even just average, WVU will surprise some people. But if they can’t be, it could be a long year. The line may end up being the strongest spot on the team and that is the hope of the staff, but most guys are new and transferred in from somewhere else. Here are some of the top linemen and where they played last year.
Nick Krahe- WVU, Walter Young-Bear- Tulsa, Landen Livingston- WVU, Kimo Makane’Ole- LSU, Ty’Kieast Crawford- Arkansas- Malik Agbo- Texas, Josh Aisosa- Oklahoma, Carson Lee- Eastern Michigan, Cooper Young- WVU, and Mickell Clay- North Alabama.
One noticeable trend in the linemen is there are several power 4, SEC program transfers that just needed a new home, but they have spent time in big and loud stadiums. Agbo, for example, was a key player for the Longhorns last year and got playing time in the college football playoffs. Texas was hoping to have him back for this season. So, the natural talent is there. Now, it’s about the coaches, specifically o-line coach Jack Bicknell, Jr. to place them in the right spots to be successful.
If they are, lookout.
