Welcome, By-Godders, to the Shotgun/Throwdown, WVU's best place for sports links, information, sophomoric humor and daily distractions. We're being brought to you today by Odell Brewing Company's Trellis Garden Ale.
What You May Have Missed:
National Champions Make Capitol Visit - WVU Athletics
The WVU rifle team visited the state capitol on Monday.
Volleyball Wraps Up Spring Season - WVU Athletics
The Mountaineers competed in three tournaments during their spring season.
Fields’ departure to leave hole in rotation - Daily Athenaeum
For four years, the West Virginia University women’s basketball team could almost always count on one thing: Forward Averee Fields was going to have a good night.
2015 NFF Hampshire Honor Society - WVU Athletics
West Virginia University honorees: Michael Calicchio Michael Molinari
THE READ OPTION: Quick NFL Draft prep for college football fans - SBNation.com
Good morning! It's NFL Draft day, but college football stuff is still going on.
News of Note:
Football
Preston poised to make impact - Charleston Gazette
There are a handful of positions on West Virginia’s football team that seem solid heading into the summer, most of them on the defensive side.
WVU football moving forward - Parkersburg News and Sentinel
Coach Holgorsen returns 27 seniors for upcoming season
Young Backs Give WVU Tremendous Backfield Depth... Again - EerSports
West Virginia ran the ball 43.3 times per game last year, and threw it "only" 41.1 times a contest.
Gundy: Hiring Holgorsen Smartest Move I've Ever Made - EerSports
"It was the smartest coaching move that I’ve made," said Gundy, per an interview with the Tulsa World.
Spring depth chart breakdown: West Virginia - Big 12 Blog - ESPN
A look at the West Virginia Mountaineers depth chart following spring practice
Draft
Unsinkable: WVU’s White overcomes obstacles to reach NFL - Charleston Daily Mail
"Millions of kids would have given up on their dreams if they had run into the things Kevin White ran into, but Kevin White doesn’t give up on what he’s trying to do," Duda said. "He becomes even more resolute.
White's Name Should Be Called Early - WVU Athletics
Kevin White looks to become WVU's 11th first rounder.
Outtakes: Kevin White’s rise to riches - WVU Sports with Mike Casazza
When White enrolled at West Virginia in January 2013 and signed the following month, I did not know about the player. That’s unusual. I don’t follow recruiting all too closely, but I know who’s signing and then I’m searching for something to share on signing day.
Journey to the Draft - AOL On
When the college season ends, the best football players in America head to Phoenix to begin four months of training and jockeying for the NFL Draft. We follow three: Leonard Williams - a lock to be a top 5 pick; Kevin White - who rocketed from junior college to NCAA stardom; and Marcus Peters - who was dismissed from his football team mid-season for arguing with a coach. With college over, now the real work begins.
White expected to be off the board early - Exponent Telegram
It started really the first time quarterback Clint Trickett looked Kevin White’s way in Atlanta.
The dream of West Virginia's Kevin White is dcoming true - Big 12 Blog - ESPN
The former West Virginia receiver is set to become a high NFL draft pick despite losing a year while at junior college due to paperwork and an up-and-down junior season.
An NFL Draft-Eve update on Kevin White - exploring the possibilities, including teaming with Geno Smith - College To Pro Sports
The day before the draft, we sort through the tea leaves to determine if Kevin White’s eventual destination is becoming clearer.
WATCH: Kevin White Talks from NFL Draft in Chicago - WVillustrated
The Mountaineer receiver joins us to talk about his nerves ahead of Thursday's NFL Draft and what it will be like to hear his name called by the commissioner.
PHOTO GALLERY: Kevin White in Chicago for NFL Draft - WVillustrated
West Virginia wide receiver Kevin White spent some time with local youth at an NFL Play 60 event Wednesday at Draft Town in Grant Park.
Top Five Rookies With Fantasy Potential - Scout
Kevin White, WR, West Virginia
Revisiting WVU's draft history - Exponent Telegram
The history of Mountaineers selected in the first round goes back to the start of the draft in 1936 and Joe Stydahar, a guard selected by the Chicago Bears with the sixth pick.
2015 NFL Draft: Our picks WVU players alongside BlueGoldSports.com and Julian Miller - College To Pro Sports
Here is how we think the draft will shake out for WVU players.
Baseball
Baseball Falls at Radford - WVU Athletics
The West Virginia University baseball team was unable to capitalize on early offensive chances and eventually fell 9-4 to Radford on Wednesday afternoon at RU Baseball Stadium.
Radford Tops Anemic WVU 9-4 - BGN
West Virginia again faced an early deficit and – again – failed in getting the timely hit in losing 9-4 at Radford on Wednesday for its third midweek defeat in four games.
Radford dominates West Virginia 9-4 in nonleague action - WV MetroNews
The Mountaineers fell to 24-19 and have dropped seven of their last 10 games.
West Virginia drops second game this week to Radford Highlanders, 9-4 - Daily Athenaeum
The Highlanders struck first blood in the bottom of the second when Marshall smacked a solo home run on a 1-1 pitch from West Virginia starting pitcher Conner Dotson.
Recruiting:
Mountaineers secure commitment from Fla. QB - Charleston Gazette
It was no secret that Panama City Beach (Fla.) Arnold quarterback Cody Saunders wanted to be a Mountaineer.
Class of 2016 Panama City quarterback chooses West Virginia - WV MetroNews
Cody Saunders is a dual-threat prospect who held offers from South Florida, Southern Miss and Georgia Southern.
WVU gets its QB - WVSports.com
Things can often move quickly in recruiting and that was certainly the case with new West Virginia commitment Panama City Beach (Fla.) quarterback Cody Saunders and the Mountaineers.
BREAKING: WVU Gets Their Quarterback - EerSports
Saunders plans to graduate early and enroll in Morgantown in January. He chose the Mountaineers over South Florida, Southern Miss and several others.
Coaches, Fit Keys For Saunders' WVU commit - BGN
Quarterback Cody Saunders found a great deal to like about West Virginia, but two things stood out to the dual threat signalcaller, and played the biggest part in his commitment to the Mountaineer football program on Wednesday.
WVU Offers Ohio DB - EerSports
West Virginia has offered Hamilton (OH) defensive back A'Shon Riggins, according to his head coach. The 2016 prospect already holds offers from Nebraska, Illinois, Cincinnati, and more.
Pro News:
Bruce Irvin on the verge of being traded by Seattle according to report - College To Pro Sports
The biggest draft day surprise for Mountaineer fans may not be the future home of Kevin White, but that of Bruce Irvin.
Report: Bruce Irvin to Become Free Agent? - EerSports
Late Wednesday night, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com reported that the Seahawks "don't plan on picking up" that option.
Woody Johnson high on Geno Smith -- Joe Namath isn't - Newsday
Woody Johnson, Jets owner, and Joe Namath, Jets icon, have watched Geno Smith play quarterback for their favorite team the last two years.
As NFL Draft approaches, Jets' Geno Smith says, 'I believe this is my team' (VIDEO) | NJ.com
"You have to expect anything [with the draft], but going out there, I believe this is my team," Smith said Wednesday
Around the League (and Beyond):
Chuck Neinas just demolished the BYU to Big 12 expansion narrative - Vanquish The Foe
#TCU was an easy choice by geography and West Virginia was a land grant school
Big 12 likely to add championship game after Playoff snub - SBNation.com
If legislation passes, the conference could add a championship game while staying at 10 teams.
Mississippi State to play Baylor? Not so fast says AD - Big 12 Blog - ESPN
Q&A: Iowa State Cyclones defensive end Mitchell Meyers - Big 12 Blog - ESPN
Kansas tackler who injured Cummings torn up about spring game accident - FOX Sports
Kansas State receiver Deante Burton makes most of spring - Wichita Eagle
MBB | Oklahoma Sooners Set To Face Villanova Wildcats At Pearl Harbor - Crimson And Cream Machine
Mike Gundy says 2011 Oklahoma State team would have beaten LSU 'by three touchdowns' - Oklahoman
How TCU’s defense prepares players for pass-heavy NFL offenses - TCU 360
Win #8 - Texas Tech defends the Alamo..dome - Viva The Matadors
What's On Tap:
Football Season Ticket Renewal Deadline May 1 - WVU Athletics
With the priority deadline quickly approaching, WVU football season ticket holders are reminded to renew their 2015 season tickets online at WVUGAME.com.
Video of Interest:
Video of (Dis)Interest:
Miss Throwdown:
Today's Miss Throwdown is a rookie in this year's SI Swimsuit issue. CLICK HERE for today's gallery of Hailey Clauson.