In somewhat of a surprising turn of events, running back Noel Devine -- as well as teammate and wide receiver Jock Sanders -- has decided to return for another season at West Virginia, the school announced this afternoon.
(Or, as Mike Florio put it, “wow on Devine.”)
It was believed that Devine was leaning toward foregoing his senior season for a run at the NFL, but the unanimous first-team All-Big East selection said the draw of becoming the first member of his family to graduate from college, as well as finishing some business on the field, kept him from making the jump a year early.
“It’s all about unfinished business on the field and in the classroom,” Devine said in a statement. “West Virginia University and my coaches are doing a great job of preparing me for the NFL and for life after football. Each year on the team has been important and each of us has given a little bit more. Now its time for my senior season with my teammates - and I want it to be a special one, so I am going to give even more. I want to be the first member of my family to finish with a college degree, and I want to bring back a championship to Morgantown. I really enjoy playing in front of the greatest fans in America, but my ultimate goal is to earn my degree.”
Brown Sanders, who shared offensive MVP honors with Devine, echoed the back’s sentiments about getting his degree before leaving for the pros.
“Coming back for my senior season will not only help me gain more experience and knowledge on the football field, but most importantly like Noel, I also will be the first in my family to earn a college degree,” Sanders said. “It’s all about family here at West Virginia. There’s a group of us that came in together, played together, grew up together, bonded together and want to leave together. West Virginia football has been in national prominence since I’ve been here. We want to win a championship next season and take our program to another level.”
Obviously, head coach Bill Stewart is very pleased that his top two offensive playmakers will be returning for another go.
“On behalf of the Mountaineer football family, we are excited that Noel and Jock will remain as student-athletes here for their senior years with the Old Gold and Blue,” Stewart said. “I have seen these two really mature and grow, not only on the football field, but in their quest of life. Obtaining their degrees and preparing for life after football is of utmost importance to them and to our program,
“I, along with the coaching staff and our fans, anxiously await and look forward to watching these two guys finish their senior years here at West Virginia.”