MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Sam James entered the season as WVU’s no-doubt No. 1 wide receiver, but the sophomore has been dealing with a bad case of the drops through the first four games of the season, especially last Saturday against Kansas.
James couldn’t hold onto three passes through the first three quarters, including what would have been a touchdown toward the end of the first half on a fade route in the right corner of the end zone.
The coaching staff wouldn’t waiver, however, knowing what James can do if he’s able to reel the ball in — he had 69 catches for 677 yards and two touchdowns in 2019.
In the fourth quarter, a simple concept drawn up by offensive analyst Ryan Nehlen allowed James to shift in before the snap, then bounce back outside on a screen for an easy pitch-and-catch touchdown.
Head coach Neal Brown said it was designed to get James, specifically, the ball in order to help get him back on track mentally, which is where it begins with James — confidence.
“We’ve all been there — somehow, some way — we’ve all been there,” offensive coordinator Gerad Parker said. “We live in a pretty cynical world, unfortunately at times, so what do you do? Do you lose faith and teach a kid how to fail, and be tossed to the side? Or do you teach a kid how to stand tall, face it when everyone else probably wants him to sit, and allow a good player like Sam James who went through a tough time to stand tall?
“It’s a fine line, too, he also has to be a productive player and he knows that, but having that piece of success at the end there is going to help him later.”
This could be a big week for James to bounce back Saturday at Texas Tech. Last season, he caught 14 passes for 223 yards against the Red Raiders, but was again bitten by drops or else he could have had a record-breaking day. He had four on the day, including three on a critical fourth quarter drive.
Mayo enters transfer portal
Redshirt freshman safety Tae Mayo announced Tuesday he was going to look elsewhere to continue his college career.
“My time at West Virginia University has been a wonderful experience … this is really almost heaven; the fans are amazing and the atmosphere exploding,” he tweeted.
“However I’ve decided to part ways with WVU. I’m entering my name into the transfer portal to pursue my dreams at a new home.”
Mayo, a Leesburg, Ga., native, played sparingly as a true freshman at cornerback in 2019, appearing in three games, including a start at Oklahoma, and finished the season with two tackles.
This year, after a move safety, he’s played in just one of the first four games and made one tackle.
Kansas award winners
Offensive lineman of the week — Center Chase Behrndt
Special teams player of the week — Long-snapper Kyle Poland
Defensive player of the week — Defensive end Jeffery Pooler
Offensive player of the week — Wide receiver Bryce Ford-Wheaton
Blue Collar Award — Wide receiver Reese Smith
Juice Award — Linebacker Drew Joseph
Scout team players of the week — Running back A’Varius Sparrow, linebacker Taurus Simmons and safety Lorenzo Dorr
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