2014 West Virginia Mountaineers Football Unit Preview: Wide Receivers

{Editor's note: This was published previously, but fits into our Unit Previews too nicely to not feature again.]

West Virginia Mountaineers head coach Dana Holgorsen is just looking for a few good men to help fill out the wide receiver depth chart this season.

At the top of that depth chart, you'll find the previously mentioned trio of seniors Kevin White and Mario Alford with sophomore Daikiel Shorts, whose spots are secure as the leading returning receiving threats with a combined 1554 yards receiving and nine touchdowns for West Virginia.

With the top of the depth chart already in place as camp continues in Morgantown, Holgorsen still looks for more receivers to step up and show they can be reliable behind the unquestioned leaders at the position in White, Alford and Shorts.

"We need at least three more," Holgorsen stated prior to West Virginia's eighth practice of fall camp on Thursday.

"Thompson is having his best camp. I feel silly saying that, since he's been Mr. Camp and Mr. Spring guy," Holgorsen said. "He is playing at a different level than he has. He's been great." In his two seasons with West Virginia, Thompson has seen his stats steadily increase going from 13 receptions and 85 yards in 2012 to 23 receptions and 178 yards a year ago.

"We're still looking for two wideouts. We don't have two wideouts who are established yet," Holgorsen said. "The better the backups get, the better off we're going to be."

You can also find other options for Holgorsen in redshirt junior KJ Myers, the veteran receiver for the team, and lightly-used tight end Cody Clay, who had nine receptions and touchdown last season. There was also mention of senior quarterback Logan Moore even running out on the field as an inside receiver in an emergency if another wave of injuries were to hit the West Virginia roster this season.

With five equally talented players fighting for reps at the running back position, redshirt juniors Andrew Buie and Dustin Garrison could find playing time as inside receivers this season as senior Dreamius Smith and sophomore Wendell Smallwood leading the race for the nod at running back.

The task of deciding who will be next in line at the receiver position this season is a problem that should be a good one for Holgorsen entering his fourth year as West Virginia head coach.

"It's (the depth) still better than it's been since I've been here," he said. "We've got more options than we've had since I've been here."

The more options at receiver and other positions across the board could finally give Holgorsen what he needs to bring West Virginia back to the level the program was before leaving the Big East for the Big 12 in 2012.

This post was first published on WVUPros.com, where you can find news about your favorite former Mountaineers and a mix of current WVU athletics.