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West Virginia quarterback turned running back/wide receiver/defensive back William Crest will be leaving the program, as announced today by Mountaineer head coach Dana Holgorsen.
“Will is an outstanding young man who always represented the Mountaineer football program well and was a great teammate,” Holgorsen said. “He told me he wanted to pursue his football career and education at another institution, and I support him and wish him nothing but the best with his future plans.”
The move doesn’t come as much of a surprise to anyone who has paid attention to the former three-star recruit from Baltimore, Maryland. Crest didn’t exactly have the career most thought he would have at West Virginia.
Crest suffered a shoulder injury against Towson in his only game as a true Freshman, and was forced to take a medical redshirt for the rest of the season. The 2015 saw the return of the still-highly touted Crest, but he never was able to supplant Skyler Howard for the starting quarterback role and ended up seeing time at the wide receiver spot. The 2016 season brought more of the same for Crest, who seemed to be growing frustrated with himself and WVU fan response about his performance during spring practice and in the annual Gold-Blue Spring Game at The Greenbrier.
I love how things can flip at the snap of a finger. You guys motivate me man @StrictlyWVU and I appreciate you for it!
— BeReal (@WCRESTJR16) April 23, 2016
Crest saw action in seven games this past season, and played at quarterback, running back and on special teams, but never really made an impact. Late in the season, media members started seeing Crest taking reps during pre-game warmups with the defensive backs, prompting rumors to begin circulating that third string quarterback would make the move there permanently for the two remaining seasons of his collegiate career.
Nonetheless, Crest had nothing but kind words for West Virginia University, the football program and his teammates on the way out.
“My experience at West Virginia University has been nothing but enjoyable,” Crest Jr. said. “I loved my time in Morgantown, at West Virginia and with my teammates. The fans have been nothing but supportive of me at all times. I wish nothing but the best for the Mountaineer Football program as I move on with this new chapter of my life.”