These five players will put together breakout seasons for the Mountaineers in 2023.
Morgantown, WV – College Football is right around the corner. Heading into the 2023 season, the West Virginia Mountaineers are expected to be the worst of the worst in the Big 12 Conference. The media selected WVU to finish 14th in the league in the preseason media polls – dead last in a league that includes four newcomers from the Group of Five (BYU was independent).
However, we at The Voice of Motown do not believe that the Mountaineers will finish last in the conference. In fact, we expect them to be much better than predicted, and possibly even finish in the top half of the Big 12.
As we approach kickoff at Penn State on September 2nd, we have put together a list of five players who will have breakout seasons for the Mountaineers in 2023. To make it fair, we did not include players that are already expected to have significant contribution this season. Instead, we are focused on the players who are part of a crowded position room, and those who are starters but may not be expected to keep their job for the entire duration of 2023.
Without further ado, here are The Voice of Motown’s FIVE BREAKOUT PLAYERS for the 2023 season:
- Garrett Greene, QB (R-Jr.) – Yes, we know that this is the easy choice. However, not many are giving Greene much of a chance with highly-recruited Nicco Marchiol behind him.
Greene has all of the intangibles to be a successful quarterback in the Big 12 Conference. With a big arm and high-gear speed, the Tallahassee, Florida native will quickly prove his worth to the coaches that have kept him on the bench for the last three seasons. Expect Greene to be one of the best dual-threat signal-callers in the Big 12, and possibly even the nation.
- Jaylen Anderson, RB (R-So.) – Anderson had his “splash onto the scene” with a big 155 yards and 2 touchdowns day against Oklahoma State in the 2022 season finale. Though the running back room is crowded, Anderson has the capability of being one of the top guys on the depth chart in the backfield.
If he can stay healthy, competing for first or second in team rushing yards isn’t outside the realm of possibility for Anderson.
- Montre Miller, CB (R-Sr.) – Coming from Kent State, Montre Miller is one of the highest graded defensive backs in the Big 12, according to Pro Football Focus. The Mountaineers struggled mightily in the secondary in 2022, and need all of the help that they can get going into 2023.
Look for Miller to quickly distinguish himself as one of the best defenders on WVU’s roster.
- Anthony Wilson, S (R-Jr.) – Another transfer that will make a huge impact for WVU in 2023, Anthony Wilson comes from Georgia Southern via the transfer portal. After putting up 101 tackles in 2022, the South Carolina native has the opportunity to become a fan favorite in Morgantown from day one.
Somewhat resembling Karl Joseph in his style of play, Wilson will have the reputation of being a hard-hitter the moment that he steps onto the field.
- Jared Barlett, LB (R-Jr.) – After four seasons on the roster, Mountaineer Linebacker Jared Bartlett will finally have his chance to shine in 2023. With the expectation being that he will take a big leap in 2023, we have no doubt that he will reach and even exceed that.
Look for Bartlett to be in conversation for All-Big 12 by season’s end.
(Photo by WVU Athletics)
