West Virginia Football: Chances Clint Trickett Becomes a Mountaineer

In somewhat of a surprising development, Florida State University announced on April 17th that redshirt junior quarterback Clint Trickett had expressed the desire to be released from the football team and that head coach Jimbo Fisher had signed off on his request.

"After a long meeting with Clint, he expressed he'd like to explore another playing opportunity, and I've signed off on his wish," Fisher said in a statement (via Tomahawk Nation).

This means that Trickett, who had been embroiled in a position battle with redshirt freshman Jameis Winston, will be free to transfer to another school. 

At the moment, the race for Trickett's services seems to be down to two teams, the University of South Florida and West Virginia.

Trickett has close ties to both schools, but major family history may have an affect in leaning his decision in West Virginia's favor.    

Trickett's father, Rick Trickett, who is the current assistant head coach and offensive line coach at Florida State, spent four seasons as the Mountaineers' offensive line coach from 2002-2006. Trickett is very familiar with the West Virginia program and is also reported to be very fond of the Morgantown area.

Trickett would be a big get for head coach Dana Holgorson and the rest of the Mountaineers staff, as the graduation of Geno Smith leaves a major hole at the quarterback position. Trickett would likely get the lead in a competition that has been a stalemate between junior Paul Millard and redshirt freshman Ford Childress. Trickett will graduate from Florida State in May and would be eligible to play right away after enrolling in a graduate program.  

Trickett should be visiting both schools in the coming weeks and could be in Morgantown for the Gold-Blue Spring Game, as reported by The Exponent Telegram.