William Crest looking to make mark for WVU football team

William Crest probably never thought he would be in this role back in 2014. Even at the beginning of 2017, he probably felt he was destined to make an impact somewhere else.

But here we are, in mid-August and William Crest could be a wildcard on the football field. Crest is is Morgantown, with the West Virginia football team, and will be lining up at wide receiver.

Crest originally came to WVU in 2014 as a heralded recruit out of Dunbar High School in Baltimore, Md., the same high school which produced West Virginia legend Tavon Austin. That connection, alone, hyped up Crest to be the next great offensive superstar with the Mountaineers.

He was destined to be a quarterback, in the mold of another Mountaineer icon, Pat White. Crest was said to have been more of a dual-threat QB with fast feet and a strong arm. As a senior in high school, he threw for 2,232 yards and 17 touchdowns while running for 672 yards and eight touchdowns. Crest was an all-state performer who led Dunbar to the Maryland state championship, but the greatest achievements were still to be made in Morgantown.

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Almost as soon as he arrived on campus, Crest had to fend off the injury bug. He received a medical redshirt as he was inured in his first game as a Mountaineer. Stepping out onto the field in that game against Towson, he seemed to be overmatched from the start. Crest was thrown into the game to get some experience as the Mountaineers had this one in the bag and eventually won by a score of 54-0.

Crest was able to put up 27 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown. He completed 3 of 4 passes for seven yards.

Like that game against Towson, Crest never earned a full start at quarterback. He saw time at both quarterback and receiver in 2015 with his best passing performance coming as a 6 of 6 performance in a 41-17 win against Liberty.

He took an even lesser role in 2016 appearing in brief stints in the season-opener against Missouri and another home game against Youngstown State. After that, Crest wanted to find a new home as he announced his intentions to transfer from WVU.

"“My experience at West Virginia University has been nothing but enjoyable,” Crest said in a story by Allan Taylor at WV MetroNews. “I loved my time in Morgantown, at West Virginia and with my teammates. The fans have been nothing but supportive of me at all times. I wish nothing but the best for the Mountaineer football program as I move on with this new chapter of my life.”"

Just a few short months later, the story would be written, but it remained mostly the same. Crest will indeed stay at West Virginia and commit to fully becoming immersed in a wide receiver position.

LAWRENCE, KS – NOVEMBER 21: William Crest Jr. runs a play against Kansas in a Big 12 Conference football game. /

Crest is using his skills and track record to become a solid playmaker for the Mountaineers. He has turned heads in early training camp sessions because of his physical makeup, quickness and sure hands. Those are certainly the keys to becoming a top flight wide receiver.

“He has the biggest hands and he catches everything,” said WVU assistant coach Tyron Carrier in a WV MetroNews story. “It’s just getting him to the point where he know what technique to use in certain situations.”

As WVU prepares to break in a new quarterback with Florida transfer Will Grier, having Crest in the receiving corps will be a blessing for the revamp WVU offense.

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