West Virginia: Spring Blooming, The Mountaineers To Watch in Spring Ball

After the Mountaineers devastating loss to Duke Saturday night and the ending of a terrific basketball season coming sooner then we had hoped, it would seem that there is no better time to start up spring football practice then now.

Tuesday, April 6 marks the official beginning of West Virginia's spring practice sessions leading up to the Gold-Blue game on Friday night, April 30.

There are many returning starters on this year's squad and also some new faces looking to make their presence felt. The Mountaineers look to have a great mix of players to compete and it should be fun to watch. Here are some players to keep a close eye on this spring.

Geno Smith

Position: Quarterback

Year: Sophomore

Size: 6'3", 210 pounds

Depth Chart: Starter

Summary: No coach ever wants to have a player injured, but when that player just happens to be your new starting quarterback, it can be a killer.

A broken bone in Geno Smith's foot has kept the young signal caller sidelined for the better part of two months. Smith enters his sophomore season as the Mountaineers only viable option at the quarterback position right now. Coley White is being moved to receiver and intriguing recruits Barry Brunetti and Jeremy Johnson won't be here until the summer.

That means this a crucial time for Geno. His health and ability to get reps under his belt is of the utmost importance.

The Florida product came into the Mountaineer program last season as one of the most heralded recruits in the country. Many saw him as the perfect dual threat option in the West Virginia's spread attack.

Smith finally got a chance to prove his worth, leading the Mountaineers to a victory against Marshall on short notice after a Jarrett Brown concussion. He looked sharp against the Herd, but what many fans probably remember is how inept the offense was under Geno in the second half of the Gator Bowl.

That leaves some around the program still a bit weary of what exactly he brings to the table.

Smith has the makings of a terrific young player, but he has a long way to go to reach that level. Hopefully, he can be healthy enough to compete and work out most of the kinks during the spring.

The team has so much firepower on offense that Smith will not be asked to win games single-handedly this season. He will simply, instead, be asked to manage the offense and limit his rookie mistakes.

Matt Timmerman

Position: Right Tackle

Year: Redshirt Senior

Size: 6'3", 294 pounds

Depth Chart: Starter

Summary: Selvish Capers is the only departure from one of the most consistent and cohesive offensive lines in college football last season.

Going into the spring, Senior Matt Timmerman seems to be the top candidate to replace Capers at the right tackle spot.

Because of the consistency and health along the offensive line last season, Timmerman has not seen a substantial amount of game experience up to this point, but he has paid his dues in the program.

The senior does not posses any overwhelming traits that will strike fear into his opponents, but he has the agility and strength to hold his own as a starter.

Timmerman won't garner the attention of NFL scouts like Capers, but he can be a satisfactory stopgap for an offensive line that looks to be one of the best in the Big East this year.

If Timmerman is unable to hold down the fort, look for Cole Bowers or Pat Eger to emerge as viable options. Both are talented, young redshirt freshman.

Will Clarke

Position: Defensive End

Year: Redshirt Freshman

Size: 6'6", 265 pounds

Depth Chart: Backup

Summary: If Julian Miller can have the type of season that some are expecting, it may mean the dominant, junior pass rusher could possibly test the NFL waters.

Thus, finding a quality future replacement is vital.

Will Clarke comes into the spring looking like he could be exactly the type of player up for the task. Clarke, who redshirted last season, has the size and ability to wreak as much havoc as Miller.

The Pennsylvania native oozes athleticism from his stout 6'6" frame, looking at times more like a basketball forward then a defensive lineman.

This is an important time for Clarke to refine his technique and prove to the coaching staff that he has what it takes to be a major player along the defensive line for the next few years.

Will seems to be on the path to follow Julian Miller as the next long, athletic, top-notch, pass rushing defensive end for the Mountaineers.

Tavon Austin

Position: Z Receiver

Year: Sophomore

Size: 5'9" 173, pounds

Depth Chart: Starter

Summary: Mohamed Sanu of Rutgers will get most of the preseason attention when it comes to Big East wide receivers, but Tavon Austin might be every bit as good, if not better.

Both are cut from similar molds. Sanu and Austin are dynamic threats that posses homerun potential with every touch of the ball.

Whether it be at receiving, rushing, or returning, Austin can break a big play regardless of how he gets the ball in his hands.

It will be interesting to see how the offensive staff tries to incorporate Austin's speed. Putting him on the outside where he has the ability to breakaway could end up being the best decision.

Austin, along with Jock Sanders and Bradley Starks, look to be a very dangerous wide receiver group for opposing defenses to try and match up against.

Shawne Alston

Position: Tailback

Year: Sophomore

Size: 5'11", 222 pounds

Depth Chart: Backup

Summary: The news that running back Mark Rodgers has transferred brings about questions as to just who exactly will be the one to spell Noel Devine this season.

It would seem big and bruising Ryan Clarke now takes on a much more prominent role in the backfield, but a change of pace back is needed as well.

That's where a player like Shawne Alston comes into play.

Alston was one of the top running backs coming out of Virginia back in 2008. The coaching staff opting not to redshirt him can only help his maturation process going forward.

Working with Coach Beatty throughout last year during practice has taught Alston what it takes to be a tailback in Jeff Mullen's system. He now has some experience and a good feel for what to do.

What he may lack in game breaking explosiveness, Alston makes up for in power. The 220-pound back can run inside and out and is a nice intermediate between Devine and Clark.

The carries and production aren't eye-popping (only getting touches in a blowout at Syracuse), but nonetheless, Alston has a load of potential. Look for Shawne to take over a more prominent role in the backfield in 2010.

Josh Jenkins

Position: Left Guard

Year: Junior

Size: 6'3", 300 pounds

Depth Chart: Starter

Summary: Three years ago, Josh Jenkins joined the West Virginia football team with high expectations bestowed upon him. It was fitting considering he was the top recruit from the state.

Many expected Jenkins to become a dominant force along the offensive line from day one. After finally breaking into the lineup as a starter last season, it looks like he could be on his way to doing just that.

Jenkins has as much potential and talent as any offensive lineman on the team, he just needs to put it all together.

This could be the year to do it.

Josh enters his junior season with a full year of experience and should put it to good use. With four of the five offensive lineman back this year, look for Jenkins to lead a contingent that paves the way for a stellar ground game.

Robert Sands

Position: Safety

Year: Junior

Size: 6'5", 221 pounds

Depth Chart: Starter

Summary: Sands looks to step into a new found leadership role as the defense's most experienced backstop this year.

Robert couples imposing size with tremendous physical talent and should open up they eyes of NFL scouts this season as one of the best safeties in America.

His potential is almost limitless. A true ballhawk who thrives on contact, Sands looks more like an unleashed animal then a football player at times.

It's rare that a safety is a team's best defensive player, but players the caliber of Robert Sands are a rare breed.

Sands joins Brandon Hogan and Julian Miller in the group of legitimate Mountaineer defensive pro prospects, and he could very well be the best of the bunch.

Get a good look at him every opportunity you can because at this rate he might not be a Mountaineer for much longer.

The Special Teams

The Special Teams were probably responsible for the most exciting moment of the 2009 WVU season. The winning field goal against PITT was something that can't be topped in the minds of most fans.

However, outside of the field goal unit, the West Virginia special teams were mediocre, to say the least last year.

The kickoff coverage team was downright awful for the better part of the season and miscues and fumbles from punt returners had fans putting their heads down in disgust.

Luckily, Tyler Bitcancurt, one of the better young kickers in the Big East, returns, as do a bevy of speedy returners.

A new punter must be found though and the culture of the coverage teams needs to be altered.

The accountability of the special teams will fall on the shoulders of two men this season, safeties coach Steve Dunlap and tight ends coach David McMichael.

Both need to use the spring as a time to instill pride back into the third facet of the game. It is something that has been lacking amongst this team in recent years.

Branko Busick

Position: Middle Linebacker

Year: Redshirt Freshman

Size: 6'0" 231 pounds

Depth Chart: Backup

Summary: Branko Busick looks to bring even more stability to an already solid linebacking crew.

Busick, also a tremendous wrestler, is the type of young player that can make a name for himself early on his career as a special teams demon.

Don't expect him to remain on special teams for long though. His pure brute strength and quickness will make him a hard player to keep out of the defensive rotation.

Branko is the type of linebacker that Mountaineer Nation could fall in love with. His tough, hard working and hard playing style should endear him to fans.

Look for him to move up from scout team star to big time contributor this spring.

Broderick Jenkins

Position: Cornerback

Year: Redshirt Freshman

Size: 5'10" 182 pounds

Depth Chart: Backup

Summary: With the outstanding Brandon Hogan manning the corner spot for the Mountaineers, it may be hard for any other corner on the team to get the true recognition they deserve.

Broderick Jenkins just might be worthy of that recognition though.

The Florida transplant has brought his immense abilities to West Virginia and displayed for coaches just why he should be so highly regarded.

After redshirting last season, look for Jenkins to come in this spring and give Keith Tandy a run for his money at the other cornerback position.

While he may not make it onto the field as a starter this season, expect Broderick to see his fair share of playing time. Jenkins looks to be a worthy replacement for Hogan after he departs for the NFL.

Deon Long/Logan Heastie - Wide Receivers

The Saga Continues...

Two of the most heralded and talented wide receiver recruits in recent memory for this team have also been two of the most frustrating.

Deon Long and Logan Heastie are not with the team heading into spring ball. The reports and news surrounding their situations have been scarce and lacking detail.

No fan knows just what exactly is going on, but you do hear the rumors.

The speculation is out there, but until everything has been confirmed and substantiated by Coach Stewart, we can only treat the situation for what it's worth. Neither are Mountaineers right now.

College is a transition for every young person, and everyone deals with the struggles of that transition in different ways. Being a football player with a lot of expectations and pressures only shines the magnifying light even brighter on those struggles.

No badmouthing of these two talented young players is needed from fans. We must let them both find their ways. If their future includes a Mountaineer uniform then all the better; if not, then we should wish them the best on their journeys.

It is something like this that makes you appreciate a player like Tavon Austin all the more. So let's appreciate the players who are out there this Spring, busting their butts to get better and pushing their teammates.

As fans, it's OK to continually monitor the situation throughout the spring, but for the most part we should let these two work out their problems in private.

Hopefully, they can get themselves back on track and right their careers as Mountaineers.