The Evolution of WVU Quarterbacks: A Deep Dive into the PFF Era
The world of college football is a dynamic and ever-changing landscape, and the quarterback position is often at the heart of it all. In this article, I take a deep dive into the performances of WVU quarterbacks over the past decade, using Pro Football Focus (PFF) data to analyze their strengths and weaknesses. From the rise of Will Grier to the emergence of Garrett Greene, we'll explore the trends, the challenges, and the triumphs of these signal-callers.
The Early Years: Skyler Howard and Clint Trickett
Let's start with the early days of the PFF era. In 2014, Clint Trickett had a 'blah' year, with an overall grade of 76.0 and a passing grade of 74.6. His performance took a turn for the worse after a near-beheading in the TCU game, leading to a decline in his numbers. Trickett's struggles continued in the final three games, with an average passing grade of just 48.4 and a high of five interceptions.
Skyler Howard, who played just under 200 snaps that year, scored a 69.8 overall grade with a 68.6 passing grade. Howard's strength was his ability to throw the ball deep, with 24.1% of his pass attempts going 20+ yards down the field. However, this came at a cost, as his completion percentage suffered, and he ended up with 14 interceptions.
In 2015, Howard's overall grade improved to 72.0, with a passing grade of 69.7 and a rushing grade of 64.9. His willingness to throw the ball deep continued, with 24.1% of his attempts going 20+ yards. However, his completion percentage dropped to 54.3%, and he ended up with 14 interceptions.
The Rise of Will Grier
2016 saw the emergence of Will Grier, who had a strong overall grade of 65.2, with a passing grade of 65.8 and a rushing grade of 58.5. Grier's performance was a significant improvement on Howard's, with a better touchdown-to-interception ratio and a higher completion percentage. His success was a key factor in WVU's 10-3 record and Top 25 finish.
In 2017, Grier had an outstanding season, with an overall grade of 91.1 and a passing grade of 91.8. He continued to throw the ball deep, with 25% of his attempts going 20+ yards. While he didn't complete a high percentage of these deep balls, he still found success, with 36 completions going for 1,506 yards and 16 touchdowns.
However, Grier's fumbling grade was a concern, with a 41.4 mark, and his fumbles came at crucial times, including against Oklahoma State and Texas.
The Consistency of Will Grier and the Emergence of Garrett Greene
2018 saw Grier have a near-identical season to the previous year, with an overall grade of 91.1 and a passing grade of 91.2. His struggles with holding onto the ball continued, with a 41.2 fumble grade, and he ended up with eight fumbles on the season.
In 2019, the Mountaineers saw the emergence of Austin Kendall, who had a strong overall grade of 66.2, with a passing grade of 65.4. However, his performance was limited to just 547 snaps, and his numbers were not as impressive as those of Jarret Doege, who had a strong overall grade of 81.7, with a passing grade of 81.6.
The Drop-Off and the Emergence of Garrett Greene
2020 saw Doege have a strong overall grade of 77.1, with a passing grade of 74.7. However, his performance dropped drastically when kept clean, with a completion percentage of 70.3 and an NFL QB rating of 96.5. His deep ball was non-existent, with just 30% of his attempts going over 20 yards in the air.
In 2021, Doege took a step back, with a completion percentage of 65.2 and a passing grade of 69.8. He threw more questionable passes and ended up with more interceptions than in the previous two years combined.
Garrett Greene, who took over at the end of the 2022 season, had a strong overall grade of 70.2, with a passing grade of 51.0. His passing still left a lot to be desired, but he used his running ability to help out a stagnant offense.
In 2023, Greene had a strong overall grade of 90.9, with a passing grade of 83.3. His willingness to go deep and his ability to run helped boost his overall score to a near all-time high in recent WVU history.
The Setbacks and the Future of WVU Quarterbacks
In 2024, Greene's performance took a step back, with a passing grade of 74.4 and a drop in interceptions and touchdowns. The Mountaineers' offense struggled, and the team took a step back compared to the previous year.
Looking ahead, the future of WVU quarterbacks is uncertain. The team has struggled with passing issues, and the emergence of Garrett Greene has been a bright spot. However, the team's overall performance has been a concern, and the future of the program remains to be seen.
In conclusion, the evolution of WVU quarterbacks over the past decade has been a fascinating journey. From the rise of Will Grier to the emergence of Garrett Greene, the team has seen its fair share of triumphs and challenges. The future of the program remains to be seen, but the team's ability to adapt and improve will be crucial in the years to come.
