Jennings makes most of first team reps during Gold-Blue Spring Game

There was one play during West Virginia’s Gold-Blue Spring Game to catch the attention of everyone in attendance at The Greenbrier on Saturday afternoon.

West Virginia senior quarterback Skyler Howard completed a quick-hitting dart to sophomore wide receiver Gary Jennings, on a slant pattern. Prior to the snap, which came midway through the second quarter of the scrimmage, Jennings was lined up wide to Howard’s right and directly across from opposing cornerback Nana Kyeremeh.

Jennings received the pass in stride and then blew past the entire defense.

Running away from Kyeremeh, Jennings turned an ordinary ten-yard grab into a 69-yard touchdown reception.

“Everyone was surprised I got away from him (Kyeremeh),” Jennings said, after hauling in four catches for 92 yards and the score.

Up until Jennings’ performance during the Gold-Blue Spring Game, he had almost become an afterthought, compared to projected first team wide receivers Shelton Gibson, Ka’Raun White and Daikiel Shorts, but since White was sidelined Saturday with a shoulder injury, Jennings earned extra snaps with the first team offense.

Coming off of shoulder and wrist injuries of his own, it took a few weeks for Jennings to regain comfort on the field when the 15 spring practices started. Jennings even missed the first few workouts.

Head coach Dana Holgorsen disclosed to reporters on Saturday that Jennings actually played in the final three games of the 2015 season, including the Cactus Bowl with a broken wrist. Jennings scored on a 64-yard catch against Arizona State in the game.

“I think he (Jennings) is a tough kid,” Holgorsen said. “The last five practices, he started emerging as a guy that I think we’re going to be able to count on.”

Gibson is defined as a vertical speedster and Shorts is a classic possession receiver, but Jennings doesn’t really fit into one mold.

At six-foot-two, 210 pounds, he can run a deep route successfully and make a catch over the middle in traffic.

“I feel like I can use my size, my hands and I that have deceptive speed,” Jennings said.

“He (Jennings) is fast but he’s good with his body,” Kyeremeh, who defends against Jennings at practice daily, said. “He knows how to use body control. He knows how to get his body in front of yours so you can’t make the play. He’s strong too, so he uses his hands and his body to his advantage.”

Like most players entering a second season in the same offense, Jennings feels the major difference between his play in practice last fall compared to what he did this spring comes from better understanding of the scheme and more reps at his position.

At Colonial Forge High School, Jennings was used as an all-purpose threat and never had time to focus only on playing wide receiver.

“I just feel that I’ve become accustomed to the speed of the game now,” he said.

In the Gold-Blue Spring Game, Jennings was also used as the first team punt returner. Last season, Jennings returned 13 punts for 69 yards.