Welcome, By-Godders, to The Shotgun/Throwdown, WVU’s best place for sports links, information, sophomoric humor, and daily distractions.
Football
Dante Stills named PFF Preseason All-American
West Virginia defensive lineman Dante Stills was named a Preseason Second Team All-American by Pro Football Focus ahead of his senior campaign with the Mountaineers. Stills is poised to take a leadership role on the defensive line in 2021, after finishing the 2020 season with 35 total tackles, including two sacks and 10.5 tackles for loss.
West Virginia’s Stadium-Packers
With Milan Puskar Stadium finally ready to return to full capacity this fall, let’s take a look at some of the West Virginia football players throughout the years who could really bring out the fans and pack a stadium. Which Mountaineers did you love seeing play for WVU?
West Virginia head coach Neal Brown wants to see consistency from his special teams units this upcoming season. As far as the specialist go, the Mountaineers return plenty of experience, including one of the top kickers in program history, Evan Staley, and are only tasked with replacing one starter.
Coaching staff review: defense
West Virginia’s defensive coaching staff welcomed to new faces in the 2021, and the coaching assignments saw a slight shift with the new additions. Let’s take a look at the Mountaineers’ defensive coaches.
WVU football lands two defensive commitments
The future of West Virginia’s defensive front is bolstering up after the Mountaineers gained two defensive commitments. Defensive linemen Aric Burton and Zion Young announced their intentions to join WVU shortly after Neal Brown’s camp this June.
Basketball
WVU men’s basketball adds Jamel King
Jamel King, who originally signed with New Mexico, has signed a grant-in-aid to attend and play basketball for West Virginia during the 2021-22 season. After high school, King attended Bella Vista Prep in Scottsdale, Arizona, where he averaged 16 points per game and shot 53 percent from three-point range.
Okonkwo looks at chance to play at West Virginia as ‘perfect fit’
West Virginia’s men’s basketball program got a jumpstart on its 2023 recruiting class with last week’s commitment from James Okonkwo. The 6-foot-9 Okonkwo hails from Maidenhead, England, but came to the United States last summer to play at Beckley Prep Academy.
“Electric Alek” fans six in 6th MLB start
Former West Virginia pitcher Alek Manoah faced the Baltimore Orioles for the second time in six days. Manoah only gave up four hits, one earned run, and a pair of walks. The Toronto Blue Jays pitcher finished the night with six strikeouts and 69 of his 97 pitches were strikes.
Ferrer-vanGinkel signs professional contract
Midfielder Stefany Ferrer-vanGinkel of the West Virginia women’s soccer team has signed a contract to play professionally with Tigres UANL Femenil, a member of Liga MX, the top tier of the Mexican women’s soccer league.
Around the Big 12
Mississippi State 4, Texas 3: Longhorns’ season ends in College World Series
A walk-off single in the bottom of the ninth inning lifted Mississippi State to a 4-3 win over Texas on Saturday night in Omaha, Nebraska. The win advanced the Bulldogs to the College World Series’ best-of-three final against Vanderbilt. The Longhorns ended their season with a 50-17 record.
Best case and worst case scenario for every Big 12 team in 2021
As June comes to an end, the return of Big 12 Conference football is not that far away. Here are the best and worst-case scenarios for every Big 12 team in 2021.
Around the NCAA
Division I Council recommends guidelines regarding NIL rights
The Division I Council has made a move towards allowing student-athletes to benefit from their name, image, and likeness after recommending guidelines to the Division I Board of Directors.
Tennessee Volunteers dismiss QB Kaidon Salter after arrest
The Tennessee Volunteers dismissed freshman quarterback Kaidon Salter after he was arrested last week on charges of simple possession and driving without a license.
TBT 2021: What to know about every team in the 64-team bracket
After a smaller 2020 event that featured a 24-team bracket and a bubble because of the coronavirus pandemic, The Basketball Tournament (TBT) is officially back in 2021 with a full 64-team field competing for the $1 million winner-take-all prize.
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