When West Virginia University defensive coordinator Tony Gibson recently said in an interview that he expected the trio of redshirt freshman from Bridgeport High School to contribute in some way in 2017, he wasn’t just providing coach speak. The depth chart for the spring football practice was recently released and it shows that the former Indians may hit the field this fall for the Mountaineers.

 

Two of the players made the WVU two-deep, while a third is listed on the three-deep portion of the roster. Consider all three will be in their first full varsity season that’s not necessarily a bad thing.

 

Dylan Tonkery, who dominated as a running back and member of the BHS secondary, has put on weight and muscle and is now a candidate to see minutes at linebacker. Tonkery is listed as the backup to standout sophomore David Long at the Will linebacker spot. They have him at 6’0 and 214 pounds, which is nearly 25 pounds higher than his playing weight at BHS.

 

Tonkery is listed ahead of three other players on the roster. Quondarius Qualls (6’0, 216, jr.), Max Chefren (6’0, 215, r-soph), and Jonah Campbell (6’0, 241, r-frosh) are all listed behind Tonkery.

 

Preferred walk-on Dante Bonamico is also on the depth chart on the defensive side of the ball. Bonamico is listed as the third-string bandit in the defensive secondary, where the Mountaineers are looking to replace several key starters who won’t be back in 2017.

 

Bonamico, listed at 5’8 and 178 pounds, is behind Toyous Avery (5’11, 202, r-jr.) and Derrek Pitts (6’0, 173, frosh). He is ahead of Brandan Rivers (6’0, 182, r-jr.).

 

On the offensive side of the ball, the Indians’ other preferred walk-on, Elijah Drummond is part of a 1-2 punch of Elijah’s at fullback. Drummond, 5’11 and 223 pounds, is listed as the backup to redshirt senior Elijah Wellman (6’1, 241, r-sr.)

 

Drummond is ahead of two players. Those behind Wellman at the moment are Maverick Wolfley (6’1, 252, frosh), and Matt Vucelik (5’11, 232, r-soph.).

 

The Mountaineers open up the season Sept. 2 against Virginia Tech. The non-conference game will be played at the neutral site of FedEx Field in Landover, MD.

 

The entire depth chart can be found here: