Two Mountaineers On ESPN Preseason All-America Team

Sean Taylor   |  
Aug 22, 2018
Two Mountaineers On ESPN Preseason All-America Team, Will Grier, David Sills V

There is plenty of hype going in the direction of the West Virginia Mountaineers for the upcoming college football season, particularly the loaded offense. No one, but two Mountaineers were named to the ESPN Preseason All-America Team.

Though there were many quarterbacks who moved on from college football following the 2017 season, there are still some seriously talented quarterbacks returning for the 2018 season. Khalil Tate is returning to Arizona and will again be devastating defenses with his elite rushing skills. UCF has McKenzie Milton coming back to lead a team that was undefeated last season.

Despite this, ESPN went with Will Grier as their team team All-America selection at quarterback. Here is their analysis on the Mountaineer’s leading man:

QB: Will Grier, West Virginia

Five quarterbacks were taken in the first round of the 2018 NFL draft, meaning there’s a new guard vying for All-America honors this season. No one has a better case than Grier, who was exceptional last season, despite sitting out the bulk of the final three games with an injury. Project his numbers over 13 starts and he’d have posted 4,500 yards and 44 touchdown throws — numbers that would’ve mirrored Baker Mayfield‘s.

But wait, that’s not all!

Grier is not the only Mountaineer that made this particular All-America team. He’s not even the only Mountaineer player to be on the first-team offense.

Former 13-year-old USC signee David Sills V made the first team at wide receiver. Here is what ESPN had to say about Sills.

WR: David Sills V, West Virginia

As a 13-year-old quarterback, Sills committed to USC. It has been a winding path from there, but last season Sills made it clear he’d finally found a fit as West Virginia’s top receiving threat. Sills finished 20 yards shy of 1,000 on the season, but there was no bigger threat in the country to find the end zone. His 18 touchdowns tied for the national lead and were the second-most by a Power 5 receiver in a season since 2012.

The expectations continue to mount for this WVU team. Though the preseason accolades are going to the offense, there is some returning talent on defense along with a pair of defensive stud recruits who are looking to make an impact immediately.

In less than two weeks the Mountaineers and their fans will journey to Charlotte, North Carolina and see if the production matches the hype.

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