MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Zach Frazier has dominated the headlines this offseason, but he's not the only offensive lineman whose departure left a big hole in the Mountaineers' front five. WVU is looking to fill the gaps left by Frazier and Doug Nester. Both players started at least 35 games up front during their WVU careers.
Frazier's successor is obvious. Redshirt senior Brandon Yates started 10 games at right guard, two at left guard and one at center in 2023.
Surrounding Yates from left to right is Wyatt Milam, who started all but one game last year. Thomas Rimac started all but two games last season. Jaquay Hubbard has started 15 games in his career. And Nick Malone, a valuable contributor last season, will take over for Nestor at right tackle.
At least for now, the starting rotation is set. Offensive line coach Matt Moore is now looking to fill out the rest of a deep chart.
“I'm anticipating it to be a reload, so I don't think so much as a rebuild,” Moore said.
Directly behind Yates in the middle of the offensive line is redshirt sophomore Landen Livingston. Milam and Malone are also taking snaps at center, continuing Moore's trend of cross-training offensive linemen at the center position. Redshirt freshman Cooper Young is also part of the rotation at center.
“We try to have four guys that can play and can make snaps, make calls and things like that,” Moore said.
Sullivan Weidman has received the majority of minutes at left guard with Thomas Rimac undergoing surgery in the offseason and missing the spring. Wideman appeared in five games last fall. Fellow redshirt sophomore Maurice Hamilton is also a three-star player in the 2022 freshman class.
“Sally probably had the best day of the spring so far,” Moore said. “He's a guy who can do that. He just needs to keep getting reps and settle down and play within himself.”
Johnny Williams IV, who appeared in four games last season, is a 6-foot-7, 315-pound redshirt freshman who rotates between left and right tackle. However, he primarily backs up Milm on the left side. WVU's offensive line coaches aim to keep him at tackle, but know he can probably play guard if needed.
“He could be the guy that rocks back and forth for me,” he said.
Jacksonville State transfer Xavier Bawsley plays right tackle behind Malone. His athleticism and experience playing Division I has Moore excited about his abilities. To his left, Nick Crane has gained about 60 pounds since coming to WVU, putting him on the depth chart at right guard.
“He could be a guy like our Nick Malone, a big tight end who can also play right tackle, right guard,” Moore said. “I think he's one of those players. It's really exciting to see how he plays and how he develops.”
Moore has been given solid depth to the position room over the past few years. Starting this spring, three three-star freshman players will join the group, adding even more depth to the group heading into the summer and 2024 fall camp.
