A look at which WVU football players are staying and which might go in the NFL Draft
When I saw the expected news that North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye was opting out of playing against West Virginia in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl against West Virginia, it sparked a thought.
Obviously, Maye doesn’t want to risk injury, sitting as a very high NFL draft prospect. He and USC’s Caleb Williams are considered the top two QBs.
Which got me thinking about WVU and the next NFL draft. Junior center Zach Frazier, like Maye, won’t play in the bowl after suffering a leg injury in the game-winning drive against Baylor and then accepting an invitation to the Reese’s Senior Bowl, an almost sure-fire telltale of being drafted in the first few rounds.
But what else?
Well, as college football fans know, we’re living in different times. Before we look at what players might look to the draft, we need to know what players are coming and going.
To that end, the best place to look is Country Roads Trust, the WVU Name, Image and Likeness collective. Stephen Ford and his staff have done a great job landing commitments from a solid core of Mountaineers for next season.
Yes, as always, there are players heading out, like running back Justin Johnson, receivers Cortez Braham and Ja’Shaun Poke, defensive lineman James Heard, defensive backs Andrew Wilson-Lamp and Hershey McLaurin, among others.
But committed to WVU, according to Country Roads Trust posts, are offensive linemen Wyatt Milum (will be a senior), Tomas Rimac (will be a redshirt junior), Brandon Yates (will be a redshirt senior), Johnny Williams (will be a sophomore), Nick Malone (will be a redshirt senior) and Nick Krahe (will be a sophomore).
Also, wide receivers Rodney Gallagher (will be a sophomore), Traylon Ray (will be a sophomore), Preston Fox (will be a redshirt junior), tight end Kole Taylor (will be a senior) and linebacker Josiah Trotter (will be a sophomore) are locked in.
Expected commitments (very soon) should come from quarterback Garrett Greene (who has said he’s staying whichever school calls), stud running back Jahiem White, linebacker Trey Lathan, offensive lineman Ja’Quay Hubbard and possibly linebacker Ben Cutter.
The hope is others like safety Aubrey Burks, running back CJ Donaldson and defensive lineman and state native Sean Martin also return.
That written, back to the next NFL draft, which will be held April 25-27 in Detroit.
Last year, WVU’s Dante Stills was taken in the sixth round by Arizona. But there hasn’t been much in the way of numbers lately for West Virginia and the NFL draft.
Remember those first-round picks like Karl Joseph, Kevin White, Tavon Austin, Bruce Irvin, Adam “Pac-Man” Jones and Anthony Becht? Remember Jerry Porter and Barrett Green being taken in the second round AFTER Becht in 2000?
I loved the 1990 draft. That’s when Renaldo Turnbull (perhaps one of the most underrated Mountaineers ever) was taken in the first round by the New Orleans Saints, while Reggie Rembert and Mike Fox went in the second round. Seven WVU players, including Major Harris in the 12th round, were selected that year. And the year before? Eight WVU players were selected.
Anyway, WVU’s Frazier will certainly be taken in the top half of the 2024 draft.
This from Bleacher Report:
“Overall, Frazier is an experienced center-only prospect with adequate size, solid athletic ability and very good play strength that he combines with high-level football intelligence and competitive toughness to run the show pre-snap, lead and find ways to get defenders blocked in a variety of schemes. He projects as a long-term, dependable starter at the pivot.”
(Psst, hey Pittsburgh Steelers!)
After that? Well, it’s a crap shoot.
One would think cornerback Beanie Bishop would be taken somewhat high, despite his small size. I mean, the player might just be a consensus All-American. He’s not getting much mock draft love though.
Also, big man Doug Nester, a Spring Valley High grad, has a good shot, although predictions are all over the place.
After that? Perhaps Lee Kpogba. Out West, Larry Krueger, a former CFL and NFL scout, wants the San Francisco 49ers to target the linebacker. And perhaps a team will take a fancy to receiver Devin Carter.
There’s no doubt, though, Frazier, like Stills a Fairmont Senior grad, is the Mountaineer to watch in the next NFL draft.
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Mitch Vingle covered sports in West Virginia for 38 years. Follow Mitch on Twitter at @MitchVingle and be sure to check out the rest of Wheelhouse Creative’s website for your marketing and advertising needs. If interested, call us at 304-905-6005.
