Four suspended for spring

Four West Virginia football players have been suspended for the duration of the spring practice according to head coach Dana Holgorsen.

Redshirt senior kicker Josh Lambert, senior defensive end Larry Jefferson, sophomore wide receiver Jovon Durante and redshirt sophomore running back Donte Thomas-Williams have not participated in any of the first six practices and won’t in any of the remaining nine.

Lambert, Jefferson and Durante are suspended for a violation of team rules.

Two seasons ago Lambert was a finalist for the Groza Award. As a three-year starter, Lambert has converted 68 total field goals in his career. Last fall, Durante made five touchdown catches as a true freshman and Jefferson played sparingly after transferring to West Virginia from Itawamba Community College.

“We anticipate having all three of those guys back for summer,” Holgorsen said Saturday, upon meeting with the media for the first time this spring.

Mike Molina and Billy Kinney will handle the kicking duties in Lambert’s absence.

Thomas-Williams has been suspended for conduct detrimental to the team and doesn’t have a concrete outlook like Lambert, Jefferson and Durante.

“His (Thomas-Williams) future is yet to be determined,” Holgorsen said.

Also at the running back position, redshirt junior Jacky Marcellus has opted to transfer from West Virginia in order to find more playing time elsewhere.

Holgorsen and running backs coach JaJuan Seider are now down to two scholarship running backs, redshirt senior Rushel Shell and true freshman Kennedy McKoy, to practice with this spring.

So far, Shell and McKoy have taken advantage of extra reps to help the West Virginia offense.

“Rushel (Shell) looks better than I’ve seen him. He’s in a good place,” Holgorsen said. “And Kennedy McKoy is way better than expected.”

In addition to dealing with the suspensions and transfer, Holgorsen has also taken on extra responsibilities because of the departure of former receivers coach Lonnie Galloway. A few days prior to the start of spring practice, Galloway left to become the co-offensive coordinator and receivers coach at Louisville.

Holgorsen is now working with the position group.

“I have a pretty long history of coaching receivers, so I’m excited about this group,” Holgorsen added. “It’s been fun for me to be able to be in the room with these guys.”