WVU football looking for defenders

John Harris writes that the WVU football team is searching for defensive players from the junior college ranks to provide help to a unit that has struggled to an absurd degree in its first year in the Big 12.

Players of interest include defensive ends Randy Gregory of Arizona Western College and Za’Darius Smith of East Mississippi Community College. Another player on the Mountaineers’ radar is defensive tackle Toby Johnson of Hutchinson (Kansas) Community College.

"We got away for a couple of days and went recruiting. I think we need some junior college help," Holgorsen said. "We hit the junior colleges and will continue to do so."

Harris points out that any of these players would be a good get for the Mountaineers. WVU is also interested in Jatavius Stewart, a wide receiver from Hutchinson Community College.

Of course, none of these potential recruits will help the team this year, which is a shame. Geno Smith and Tavon Austin won't be back, and one wonders if the Mountaineers are about to miss their window of opportunity because they couldn't accompany Smith, Austin and the rest of the offense with a passable defense. In any case, though, it certainly makes sense for Dana Holgorsen to pursue some players who can help right away.