Is a Massive Season in Store for New WVU WR Devin Carter?

West Virginia has a big-time playmaker in the receiver room.

How does West Virginia go about replacing its top four receivers from a year ago?

Aside from the quarterback battle, that appears to be the biggest storyline heading into fall camp. Can someone in that room emerge as WR1? And then can two or three others step up and produce consistently?

One guy you're going to want to get familiar with is Devin Carter, who transferred in from North Carolina State.

Getting WR Devin Carter was a BIG score for #WVU.

Big, strong-handed receiver that is tough to bring down to the ground and makes extremely difficult catches look easy. Vertical threat that makes 50/50 balls, 80/20. Delivers in the clutch too. pic.twitter.com/NAu584l7EJ

— Schuyler Callihan (@Callihan_) July 17, 2023

During his five years in Raleigh, Carter was the Wolfpack's home run hitter. He wasn't a high volume receiver by any means recording just 118 receptions over four seasons, but when he made a play, he hit big. Carter averaged 16.2 yards per catch which would have tied him for the team lead at West Virginia last season with Sam James. That is also the second-highest average for a receiver during the Neal Brown era for a receiver who hauled in a minimum of 20 receptions. T.J. Simmons (2021) holds the mark for the highest at 17.4. 

What makes Carter so intriguing is that he can truly beat a defense in all three levels of the passing game, he's not just a vertical threat. In the clip posted above, you'll see a couple of plays where he makes the catch, starts heading upfield, and drags defenders three to five yards before going down to the ground. 

But something that he brings to the table that West Virginia hasn't had in the Neal Brown era is the ability to make extremely difficult catches and do so in clutch situations. The perfect example of this is his game-winning catch in double overtime against Clemson in the back corner of the end zone in double coverage. The ball is thrown backside, so he turns and backpedals, and secures the grab before rolling out of bounds (also featured in video above).

Regardless of who wins the starting quarterback job, I have a gut feeling they'll be throwing in Carter's direction quite a bit this fall. What first-year starting quarterback wouldn't like a 6'3", 215-pound receiver to throw the ball up to?

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