The WVU Mountaineers’ perspective on the approaching 2022 college football season has significantly improved.
On Wednesday morning, JT Daniels, the former Georgia standout quarterback, revealed his intention to transfer to Morgantown and join WVU. He personally informed head coach Neal Brown of his decision earlier this week.
The Mountaineers are thrilled with this major development. They were facing uncertainty about which untested quarterback would secure the starting position this season, but now they have Daniels, a highly skilled player. It’s highly probable that he would be the first choice for most college programs this fall.
WVU couldn’t have asked for a better time for Jarret Doege to move on to Western Kentucky.
Starting the 2021 season as the UGA starter, Daniels eventually relinquished his position to Stetson Bennett. However, thanks to Bennett’s impressive performance, the Bulldogs secured the National Championship, triumphing over Alabama.
Despite not starting, Daniels proved to be an impressive player during his time at Georgia. Over the course of two years, he achieved a remarkable 7-0 record, displaying excellent accuracy with a completion rate of over 69% on his passes. Additionally, he recorded 17 touchdowns and only five interceptions.
Mountain State sports bettors should be thrilled as WVU kicks off its campaign with the highly anticipated Backyard Brawl in Pittsburgh on Sept. 1.
JT Daniels transfers to WVU
Before arriving at UGA, Daniels began his college football journey in Los Angeles, where he played for the renowned USC program.
During this recent transfer, Daniels was sought after by multiple schools, such as Missouri from the SEC and Oregon State from the Pac-12.
Fortunately, the quarterback expressed his preference for Morgantown as the most favorable opportunity. In his conversation with ESPN, Daniels stated:
As I survey the roster from top to bottom, it seems evident that they possess exceptional talent in every position. It appears to be an ideal environment for a quarterback. It feels incredibly promising to be joining a team that is immensely strong, and I am eager to play my role in making a meaningful contribution.
One of the factors contributing to WVU being the preferred destination is the presence of a high-quality roster. The offense notably boasts the return of five linemen in their respective positions, alongside several skilled playmakers supporting the quarterback.
Bryce Ford-Wheaton and Sam James, along with Tony Mathis Jr., have returned for another season. Both Ford-Wheaton and James had 42 receptions last year, and Mathis Jr. showcased promising performance towards the end of the season.
Significant improvement in the WVU offense is expected if the line can maintain good health and consistent performance.
Daniels has consistently earned a great reputation. He graduated high school as an ESPN 300 recruit and started the previous season as one of the top contenders for the Heisman Trophy.
With his immense potential, he stands the chance of having an exceptional year, potentially making him one of the early picks in the upcoming NFL draft.
Daniels’ connection with the Mountaineers
In addition to the team lineup, Daniels’ decision to choose WVU was influenced by his affiliation with a newly appointed coach on the staff. Graham Harrell, who served as his offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach during their time at USC in 2019, played a significant role in his choice.
Having prior experience with the coach should make it easier for the QB to adapt to a new offense, according to Daniels. He expressed his comfort in the situation.
Having a strong connection with Graham prior to this experience was definitely beneficial. I have a great relationship with him and trust both the offense and the system. Moreover, I am highly confident in Coach Brown and his approach to running a program. His ideas align with my own and I feel extremely comfortable under his guidance.
In January, WVU brought Harrell on board with the aim of enhancing their offense. Although the running backs may not be thrilled about it, his renowned “Air Raid” strategy usually yields abundant points through an effective vertical passing game.
This season, the Mountaineers’ football team appears to have gained some additional strength.
Daniels is aware that his chances to excel in college are dwindling. He is determined to prioritize his presence on the field. He expressed, “My primary focus is to demonstrate that I can maintain good health. That’s the one aspect I haven’t successfully established yet. I’ve sat out 35 games within a span of three years.”
It is anticipated that the Mountaineers will have their latest quarterback throughout all 13 games in 2022.
College football odds at WV sportsbooks
While West Virginia sportsbooks haven’t released all the odds for the upcoming season, college football bettors can still find a few available.
WVU has entered an intriguing market as its newest transfer player emerges as a strong contender for this year’s Heisman Trophy.
According to DraftKings Sportsbook WV, Daniels is currently ranked 13th in terms of odds to win this prestigious award. Bettors have the opportunity to wager on his chances, with odds of +5000 to win the prize.
Although he may be considered a long shot, it is worth noting that the majority of Heisman winners come from teams that are in contention for a championship. Nevertheless, Daniels is not too far behind the top group of players, as there are only three individuals who stand significantly above the rest.
According to DraftKings, CJ Stroud from Ohio State is currently the top favorite with odds of +250, closely followed by last year’s recipient Bryce Young from Alabama with odds of +350. Caleb Williams, who recently transferred to USC with coach Lincoln Riley, ranks third with odds of +750.
As summer approaches, the online sportsbooks in the Mountain State are gearing up to introduce a wider range of college football futures markets.
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