Tyron Carrier saw it from the first time he put on the film.

True freshman Jovon Durante had gotten off to a strong start as an outside wide receiver before fading down the stretch. But the more he watched, the more Carrier saw some of himself.

An inside wide receiver in the same offensive scheme at Houston, Carrier hauled in 320 passes during his career, the second most in NCAA history. One look at Durante and he saw potential to move inside and play the same H-position in the air raid scheme.

“Since I played in this offense he looks like one of those guys that played the position,” Carrier said.

But first he had to ask head coach Dana Holgorsen.

“It was thought about and we went forward with it,” Carrier said.

The transition had to wait because Durante was suspended during the spring. That meant the first look at how Durante would take to his new spot and so far the results have been quite impressive. He has been one of the most engaged players at his position throughout camp and has asked the most questions out of Carrier which is a sign of where his mind is at.

“He wants to be great. We know he knows how to play outside so let’s see what he can do on the inside,” Carrier said.

Already what Holgorsen refers to as the “fastest” wide receiver on the team, Durante has continued to play at a high level after moving inside which is what coaches look for when players move to the slot. While Daikiel Shorts handles the Y spot, Durante will step into a role that has produced plenty of talent over the years in the offense such as Carrier and Wes Welker.

Holgorsen has already indicated that Durante is likely in the top four wide receivers and he spent this off-season not only working on his focus but getting stronger. That has paid off.

It’s role that will not only get him the football in short routes, but allow him to get vertical as well.

“After the catch he’s a difference maker,” Carrier said.

Redshirt junior Shelton Gibson never had any doubts that the South Florida native could not only play in there but make an impact. That was evident with how he could run good routes and how he could make things happen after he caught the football.

“He’s so shifty,” Gibson said.

But this move isn’t a permanent one. Holgorsen has already said that Durante could still fill an outside wide receiver role if the Mountaineers go into heavy packages and can use some of that former experience he already has under his belt.

“He still has a lot of work to do but he’s out there making plays,” Holgorsen said.