WVU's Crest emerging as backup QB option

Published Aug. 18, 2015 10:38 p.m. ET

foxsports

With junior Skyler Howard settling in as the starting quarterback, West Virginia coach Dana Holgorsen is turning his attention to developing a dependable backup.

Redshirt freshman William Crest Jr., who entered preseason camp taking reps at three positions, is emerging from a group of three young quarterbacks behind Howard.

“William is getting a vast majority of those (second-team) reps,” Holgorsen said. “The biggest knock I had with him in the spring is that he would give the ball up. He's doing a much better job at protecting the ball. I have been very happy with his progress.”

Crest benefited from freshman Chris Chugunov missing practice time last week with a “very sore shoulder,” according to Holgorsen, who said another freshman, David Sills, “is probably the smartest guy in the (quarterback) room. He understands football as well as anybody.”

(h/t Tribune Review)