On Friday, WVU Head Coach Dana Holgorsen announced the signing of running back Jacky Marcellus (Immokalee HS/Immokalee, FL). Marcellus rated as the No. 18 all-purpose running back by Rivals.com gives West Virginia much needed depth at the running back position.

With Marcellus, in addition to the signings of Wendell Smallwood, Dreamius Smith and Elijah Wellman, WVU should maintain much needed help for Andrew Buie, Dustin Garrison and Cody Clay.

“Offensively, we had depth problems at running back last year,” said Holgorsen, “Being able to add Dreamius Smith, Wendell Smallwood and Elijah Wellman will give us a tremendous amount of depth. When you throw in (Andrew) Buie and (Dustin) Garrison, we have some bodies.”

Buie has had great performances like rushing for 207 yards with two touchdowns against Texas and rushing for 100 yards and a score against Kansas. The reality for Buie is that he cannot be an every down back. He plays recklessly, which means his body would have a hard time getting through a full season with the way he plays.

Now Buie will be the atop the depth chart, but as proven, he needs other guys to contribute so that he can be productive.

First and foremost, Garrison needs to be back to full form so that he can have the ability to play every down again. Having should be truly recovered from the knee injury, Garrison can provide WVU with more pass catching ability out of the backfield. Back in 2011, Garrison’s freshman season, he was able to catch screens, bubbles and even streak routes down the middle of the field. When he did that, he was able to provide WVU with a spark.

Add in Dreamius Smith as a bigger back and WVU has an ideal three headed monster. Dreamius Smith rated as one of the top JUCO running backs nationally, has had his style of play compared to what Shawne Alston did for WVU. Because Alston was never fully healthy, Head Coach Dana Holgorsen never was able to find consistency between three running backs of three different styles. Now if everything goes well during spring ball with Buie, Garrison and Smith all set to practice, he should have that entering the 2013 season.

Factor in what Smallwood, or Marcellus can do as a possible third down back or all-purpose type back, WVU should have very strong depth.

Finally as a blocking back or in Holgorsen’s offense is known as the ‘A’ Back, Cody Clay understands what Holgorsen asks him to do. Expect Clay this season even to be used split out in the slot to give West Virginia a bigger target over the middle. Clay could serve as a security blanket for either Paul Millard or Ford Childress in the red zone. Holgorsen will get creative and find ways for Clay to get more involved in 2013.

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