Simms brings dynamic speed and much more to WVU offense
Marcus Simms is fast that much was known.
But wide receivers coach Tyron Carrier has perhaps undersold his route running and ability to get open with his technique. And largely that was by design so teams didn’t know what to expect.
“Marcus can use technique and fly,” Carrier said.
Simms returned from a one-game suspension against East Carolina, and hauled in one pass for a 52-yard touchdown showcasing his ability to get behind the defense and stretch the field. He also narrowly missed another opportunity down the sideline earlier in the game.
The play was a deep post pattern for Simms and the ball was dropped in perfectly by Grier into the arms of the sophomore wide receiver for six points.
The play was a showcase of that highly touted speed and was something that offensive coordinator Jake Spavital wanted to get on tape in order to showcase the fact that the Mountaineers have the ability to test defenses deep.
“I don’t know how long that ball was in the air but I feel like he just chucked it 50, 60 yards,” Spavital said. “Having Marcus back is great for this offense to show we do have a deep threat.”
The return of Simms gives the Mountaineers four options at the wide receiver position and now provides an option to take the top off of defenses. It also prevents opposing teams from doubling wide receivers in order to take them out of the game plan.
“Marcus has unique speed. I don’t think there are many kids in the country that can stretch the field vertically like he can,” Spavital said.
The addition of Simms also will open up more things in regards to formations, as the Mountaineers can now get more into four wide receiver sets. It also can allow for junior wide receiver David Sills to slide inside at times where technique is king to create more mismatches.
It’s an element that West Virginia missed in the season opener against Virginia Tech and when head coach Dana Holgorsen was asked if Simms’ presence in that game could have changed things with the press coverage that the Hokies played throughout the course of the game, he didn’t hesistate.
“Probably,” he said. “He’s a good player.”
And while the answer to that question will never be known, it is a positive for the Mountaineers offense that was looking for more quality depth out wide and now finds it in Simms.
“It changes the game plan a little bit,” Grier said.
And if he continues to make plays down the field, Simms isn’t going to be a secret for very much longer.
