West Virginia may be about to add another layer to its passing game.
On Monday night, head coach Rich Rodriguez said on his radio show that the Mountaineers came out of the UT Martin game healthy and that wide receiver Prince Strachan could make his WVU debut Saturday against Virginia in Charlotte.
“He’s got a chance for this one," Rodriguez said. "He’s been practicing a little bit.
He’ll practice tomorrow in a green jersey, so he’ll be limited contact but full speed there. We’ll see how he reacts ot that, and if he can handle Tuesday, Wednesday practice, we’re hopeful he’ll go Saturday.”
That possibility matters because West Virginia has been keeping plenty under wraps through the first two weeks. Rodriguez and the Mountaineers have been extremely conservative in their play-calling against Coastal Carolina and UT Martin, and quarterback Mike Hawkins Jr. has already said future opponents "haven't seen everything yet."
Virginia has seen only a limited version of what West Virginia wants to be, and that extends beyond the scheme. The Cavaliers have little to go on with the receivers who have played early on, with DJ Epps standing out as the clearest exception.
Jaden Bray, John Neider, and Taron Francis have all been quiet so far, largely because the Mountaineers simply have not thrown much. Opponents can study their previous-school tape, but that only tells part of the story.
Strachan’s potential return gives West Virginia a different kind of threat. At 6'5, 215 pounds, he brings size and the ability to attack vertically. Put him alongside Jaden Bray, who checks in at 6'2, 208 pounds and can do a lot of the same things, and DJ Epps in the slot, and the Mountaineers suddenly have a trio that can stress a defense in different ways.
That kind of mix gives Hawkins Jr. a chance to lean on more than one answer, and it also forces Virginia and every other opponent on the schedule to account for the arm talent around him. The result could be a more balanced attack once West Virginia opens things up.
Strachan’s college production has already shown what he can bring when healthy. In two seasons at Boise State, he caught 37 passes for 578 yards and three touchdowns. He also had one catch for 25 yards at USC last year before an injury interrupted his season.
West Virginia and Virginia are set for a 7:30 p.m. ET kickoff in Charlotte on the ACC Network.
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