West Virginia Football Spring Game 2017: 5 things to watch for
By John Buhler
3. How does Jake Spavital expand the Air Raid?
West Virginia has been an efficient passing team for the last several years despite not necessarily having a legitimate NFL passing prospect at quarterback in Geno Smith. It’s an Air Raid system that has made West Virginia viable, but the Mountaineers have brought back a familiar face to really open things up through the air.
Former Mountaineers quarterbacks coach Jake Spavital is back in Morgantown as Holgorsen’s offensive coordinator. He was the with the program from 2010 to 2012 to oversee Smith’s development as a passer. Spavital has since spent time with the Texas A&M Aggies and the California Golden Bears.
This is a huge coaching get for the Mountaineers, as Smith, Brandon Weeden, Johnny Manziel and Davis Webb have all been coached by him. Does this mean Spavital can turn a right-armed kid into a Cleveland Browns/New York Jets’ failed starting quarterback? You better believe it!
The truth is Spavital has proven over the last seven years that he can take a promising college passing prospect and turn him into potentially something serviceable at the next level. Spavital’s latest project is former Florida Gators starter, Will Grier. It will be interesting to see their rapport in 2017, starting with the Gold-Blue Spring Game on Saturday.