Neal Brown provides update on West Virginia's QB competition ahead of season opener

Quarterback battles throughout the country are beginning to conclude, with top programs naming their guy for the 2022 season. West Virginia is not one of those places as head coach Neal Brown has yet to name his starting signal caller. Just over a week remains before the season opener against Pittsburgh but Brown does not seem to be in a rush.

During his latest press conference, Brown said there has been no final decision. Brown will make the announcement just before the game. However, he did state his confidence in the quarterback room for this upcoming year and looking into the future.

“Feel really good about our present and our future,” Brown said. “We’re working through that. I’m not trying to be coy about it. We’ll announce a starter before the game, it’s not about that. We’re not to that point yet. I know y’all will ask about that so that’s where we’re at on it. I’m good with talking about them but there’s not been a final decision.”

Georgia and USC transfer JT Daniels is considered the favorite, joining the program this summer. Three others are considered to be involved as well, with all falling on the younger side. Garrett Greene (sophomore), Will Crowder (redshirt freshman), and Nicco Marchiol (freshman) are all underclassmen.

Neal Brown thinks JT Daniels is getting timing down

Daniels was not able to go through spring practice with West Virginia. He was still in the transfer portal, weighing his options before ultimately deciding on West Virginia. Brown said throughout fall camp, Daniels has gotten his timing down with receivers, calling it the quarterback’s biggest improvement thus far.

“JT is experienced,” Brown said. “He’s mature. We’ve talked about his intelligence. I think his timing has improved as he’s gone because we forget — the summer workouts are so different as far as throwing full speed. We’ll do some OTAs but you’re not necessarily throwing and you’re not throwing against the defense. He’s just had these 14, 15 practices to really get his timing down and you can see that improving.”

Freshman impressing for West Virginia

Two freshmen, one of which is a redshirt, are also competing for the job. Brown raved about both of them, beginning with Marchiol. He said the true freshman has an advantage over other people his age in college football due to getting live, first-team reps against the defense. Marchiol also stuck out during Thursday’s scrimmage.

“I really like his progression,” said Brown (Nico). “From the spring through fall camp but I think the thing a lot of true freshman quarterbacks don’t get is a lot of game-like reps vs. your first defense. He’s got a bunch. He’s got a bunch during the spring, bunch during fall camp. His progression has been good to see. Knowledge of what we’re doing offensively, knowledge of what the defense is trying to do. The game is slowing down for him. He had a really nice scrimmage on Thursday.”

As for Crowder, the praise was short and sweet from West Virginia’s head coach. He said the man nicknamed ‘Goose’ has been “steady” and “consistent” throughout practice.

“Goose has been really steady,” said Brown. “He’s consistent, knows what to do. Throws a very catchable ball.”

Speed, arm talent standing out for Garrett Greene

Greene is the only player on the roster who got game action for the Mountaineers last season, playing in 11 games. His speed and ability to run have been a positive over the past two seasons, with Greene accumulating 306 yards and four touchdowns last year.

Brown even said Greene has been clocked as one of the fastest WVU players during fall camp. Making decisions in the passing game is a place where the quarterback can improve but along with his speed, the arm talent is there.

“We played him live in our first scrimmage, not our second one,” Brown said. “Just too close to the game. He’s matured. He’s got to continue to work on his decision making but really, from an arm talent standpoint and the throws he can make, he’s really flashed. And he’s gotten faster. He’s run some of the fastest times during fall camp.”

West Virginia kicks off their season on Thursday, Sept. 1 against Pittsburgh. No matter who the starting quarterback is, Brown seems confident in his team going into the year.