Jennings learning it all

Wide receivers coach Tyron Carrier didn’t know what he had in sophomore Gary Jennings at first.

Standing 6-foot-2, 203-pounds, Jennings of course offered a physical option. But the first-year position coach had an idea and approached Dana Holgorsen about it.

That idea was to stick Jennings at the inside wide receiver position to let him learn there as well as where he started his career on the outside. That way it would give the Mountaineers a dependable option that could move around and fit where he was needed.

The move worked.

“Gary is everywhere. He’s good at all of them. Wherever I need him to be right now,” Carrier said. “He knows every position and he’s strong enough and big enough to handle anything on the inside and he has enough technique to handle everything on the outside. He catches everything.”

Jennings has become so trustworthy that Carrier refers to him as the most dependable player in his entire wide receiver unit that is stacked with depth and talent.

“If he could throw I’d try him at quarterback,” Carrier said. “He’s that guy.”

The change also has been noticeable from his teammates who have observed Jennings go from a wide-eyed freshman to a confident sophomore that has made plays in practice.

“He’s taking his mental game to the next level,” senior quarterback Skyler Howard said.

It doesn’t hurt that Jennings brings a physical presence to the game and that is something that Carrier wants to see out of his wide receivers. To further that point he shows them highlights not of his catches, but his hits and wants to instill that as an attitude moving forward.

“I’m teaching them another way of playing,” Carrier said.

The plan for Jennings is to move him around to the various positions depending on where there is a need and it’s a role he has fully embraced. But a recent injury to his hand cause him to miss some practice time and the biggest obstacle is staying on the field.

“He’s big. He can make plays and has great hand-eye coordination. I just want to see him practice,” head coach Dana Holgorsen said.